Effect of Processing on Neurotoxin Content and Vitamin C During Germination in the Grains of L. sativus

Abstract

Lathyrus genotypes with higher than 0.2 per cent β-N-oxalyl, L-α, P-diamino propionic acid (ODAP) content hove been considered unsafe for human consumption. In view of this, the higher ODAP containing three genotypes viz., Local-1, Local-2 and P-24 were subjected to different methods of processing. As sprouting has been claimed to improve the nutritive value of grain legumes, the seeds of different genotypes of Lathyrus were sprouted and analysed for increase in ascorbic acid (vitamin C) content at different intervals of time. This investigation was aimed at studying the nutritive value of different genotypes of Lathyrus sativus with respect to vitamin C content and finding out the effective processing method for reducing the toxin levels to safer limit.