Profiling of Nutritional Composition and Bioactive Compounds in Chickpea and Pigeon Pea
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Date
2020
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DIVISION OF BIOCHEMISTRY INDIAN AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE NEW DELHI
Abstract
Legumes are known as ‘Poor man’s meat’ because of their high protein content and are considered as
staple food for those who cannot afford animal proteins or are vegetarian by choice and thus have the
potential for improving nutritional status of the people and combating the Protein Energy Malnutrition
(PEM). Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) and pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) are the two most important
food legumes in India both in terms of production & consumption. Considering these points, a study to
determine the protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score, essential amino acid score (EAAS),
quality protein and antioxidant potential of chickpea and pigeonpea genotypes was conducted. Twelve
each of Desi and Kabuli genotypes of chickpea and ten genotypes of pigeonpea were investigated.
Crude protein content along with the amino acid composition for each of the chickpea and pigeopea
varieties were studied. The results showed highest and lowest protein content of 27.49 g/100g in Pusa
362 and 16.75 g/100g in Pusa 547 belonging to Desi chickpea genotypes. Similarly, Pusa
1003(24.11g/100g) and Pusa 5023 (14.19g/100g) of Kabuli genotypes of chickpea showed highest and
lowest protein content respectively. Among pigeonpea genotypes TJT 501 (24.46g/100g) and Bahar
(14.48g/100g) were found to have highest and lowest protein content respectively. The results of amino
acid composition showed balanced amino acid score and % daily value (DV) for all the essential amino
acids with respect to FAO pattern (1991) except for methionine and cysteine in chickpea and pigeonpea
genotypes. The amino acid profile of pigeonpea and chickpea showed that they can contribute 45%–
100% DV for a 60 kg adult (based on per capita consumption of pulses) of various essential amino acids
except methionine. Thus, our results clearly showed that, the amount of essential amino acid content
can be met with 100% DV with the daily intake of 100 g dhal/whole seeds of chickpea and pigeonpea
except for methionine. The PDCAAS (Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score) reflects an
attempt to measure the overall quality of a protein as the product of the digestibility of the protein and
its amino acid score. Among chickpea genotypes, Desi types showed highest protein digestibility of
86% (Pusa 256) with PDCAAS values of > 0.5 as compared to Kabuli types. The pigeonpea genotypes
were found to have a PDCAAS (%) in the range of 39.00% (BSMR 736) to 82.84 % (ICP 87). Since
the protein content of all the varieties of chickpea and pigeonpea analyzed in the present study showed
higher protein content between 14 % to 23 %, which is higher than that in egg (13 %), and milk (3.4%),
suggesting that, high protein chickpea and pigeonpea can be of alternative to egg and milk to meet
100% DV of all the essential amino acids except methionine. Pulses are useful source of bioactive
polyphenols, carotenoids and tocopherols, which may provide additional health benefits through their
antioxidant activity. In this regard, the chickpea and pigeonpea genotypes were analyzed for antioxidant
activity through DPPH and FRAP assays. We found significantly higher antioxidant activity in
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pigeonpea (58.70% to 92.41%) genotypes as compared to chickpea genotypes (13.56% to 29.95%).
Effect of cooking (boiling) and canning on protein digestibility and antioxidant potential was carried
out on two contrasting genotypes of chickpea and pigeonpea for total protein content. PDCAAS (%)
was found to be higher in 'high' protein containing lines than 'low' protein containing lines in case of
chickpea. However, no significant variation in PDCAAS (%) was found between 'low' and 'high' protein
pigeonpea genotypes. Both PDCAAS and antioxidant activity was found to increase in chickpea and
pigeonpea genotypes after cooking and canning.
The generated information will thus help in identifying promising chickpea and pigeonpea genotypes
with high nutritional quality and aid in future breeding programmes.
Description
T-10373