Chemical analysis and nutritional assessment of Teramnus labialis (L.) Spreng. (Fabaceae)

Seeds of Teramnus labialis (L.) Spreng.(Fabaceae), used as food by Malayali tribals in theKollihills of Salem District, Tamil Nadu in SouthIndia, were investigated for their nutritional value. These seeds were analyzed for proximate composition,total (true) seed proteins, seed proteinfractions, amino acid composition, fatty acidcomposition, minerals and antinutritional factors. Crude protein, crude fat, ash, and nitrogen freeextracts constituted 22.86%, 6.10%, 4.62%, and,58.15%, respectively, of the seed weight. The caloricvalue of 100 g dry matter of seed material was 378.94kcal. The essential amino acids lysine, leucine +isoleucine, arginine, valine and histidine werepresent in relatively large quantities. Theunsaturated fatty acids constituted more than 60% ofthe crude fat. Concentrations of minerals such aspotassium, magnesium, calcium, and, phosphorus werehigh. Antinutritional factors such as total freephenols, tannins, L-DOPA, hydrogen cyanide andphytic acid were present in minute quantities. Theseantinutritional factors are potentially eliminated using the conventional method of soaking the seeds in water,boiling with water and decanting prior to consumption.