| Physico-chemical properties of Beach pea (Lathyrus maritimus L.) seeds were evaluated and their proximate composition determined. Results were also compared with those of green pea (Pisum sativum L.) and grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.). Beach pea seeds had a very low grain weight, density, hydration capacity, hydration index, swelling capacity and swelling index as compared to green pea and grass pea. The contents of crude protein (% N x 6.25, 29.2%), crude fibre (12.0%), reducing sugars (0.2%), total phenolics (1.2%), ash (3.0%), and total free amino acids (0.6%) of beach pea were substantially higher than other peas examined. The contents of cysteine (1.6%), methionine (1.1%), and tryptophan (0.3%) in beach pea proteins were low, but still higher than those in green pea and Canadian and Indian grass peas. Beach pea lipids were dominated by linoleic acid (69.1%), similar dominance of linoleic acid was observed in green pea (45.1%) and Canadian grown grass pea (57.0%). The major macroelements of beach pea were potassium (475.8 mg/100g), phosphorus (413.2 mg/100g), magnesium (179.7 mg/100g), and calcium (144.2 mg/100g). The content of microelements, namely manganese, zinc, and iron in beach pea was 3.5, 3.0 and 9.4 mg/100g, respectively.; Samples of beach pea (Lathyrus maritimus L.) seeds and plant parts were analyzed in order to determine their chemical composition, total and free amino acids as well as minerals. The crude protein content of beach pea plant parts varied from 10.7 to 28.0%, soluble proteins 190.2--709.0 mg/100g, lipid 1.3--6.0%, ash 2.2--6.8%, crude fibre 10.7--35.5%, soluble sugars 0.1--12.2%, starch 0.8--26.5%, carbohydrate 55.8--81.5% and phenolic compounds 0.5--3.0%. The amino acid profile of seed proteins and other plant parts of beach pea showed that they were deficient in sulphur-containing amino acids. Tryptophan was another limiting amino acid in plant parts, except in leaves (1.35 g/16g N). The content of free amino acids was highest in branches and stems (3147.9 mg/100g) and lowest in pod shells (150.7 mg/100g). (Abstract shortened by UMI.)... |
