Nutritional and antinutritional significance of four unconventional
legumes of the genus Canavalia – A comparative study
K.R. Sridhar
*
, S. Seena
Microbiology and Biotechnology, Department of Biosciences, Mangalore University, Mangalagangotri, Mangalore 574 199, Karnataka, India
Received 11 April 2005; received in revised form 8 July 2005; accepted 8 July 2005
Abstract
Developing countries are under the clutch of malnutrition due to a lack of protein rich food. Protein supply can be broadened by
exploration and exploitation of alternative legume sources. Even though many wild legume landraces have been identified, their uti-
lization is limited due to insufficient attention. Canavalia gladiata, Canavalia ensiformis, Canavalia maritima and Canavalia cathar-
tica are the common under-exploited legume species having the potential to be a rich protein source. This review envisages a
comparative account of nutritional, antinutritional and functional properties and emphasizes the various methods employed in seed
processing of Canavalia spp. The current study helps in understanding the nutritional and antinutritional versatility/potential of
four Canavalia spp., thereby developing future strategies for optimum utilization.
Ó 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Canavalia; Wild legumes; Proteins; Energy; Essential amino acids; Concanavalin A; Detoxification
1. Introduction
Tropical developing countries are facing an increas-
ing demand for protein-rich food due to teeming popu-
lation, cereal-based diet and scarcity of fertile land
(Sadik, 1991; Weaver, 1994). Legumes are an inexpen-
sive source of proteins with desirable characteristic such
as abundance of carbohydrates, ability to lower the serum
cholesterol, high fiber, low fat (except oilseeds), high
concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids and a long
shelf life. In addition to B complex vitamins, minerals
and fiber, legumes are also major sources of proteins
and calories (Rockland & Nishi, 1979). They are known
to contain certain bioactive compounds whose beneficial
effects need to be explored for exploitation.
The global production of food legumes in 1998 was
246 million tons (FAO, 1998). According to DOES
(2000), India produced 39.91 million tons of food le-
gumes in 1998–1999. Research has to be geared to
exploiting the unconventional legume resources to meet
the protein requirements of developing countries. Un-
der-explored legumes are important in terms of food
security, nutrition, agricultural development, enhance-
ment of economy and also as rotation crops. Thus, little
known legumes can play an important role in agricul-
ture as they are potent plants, which contribute to the
world food production due to their adaptation to ad-
verse environmental conditions and high resistance to
diseases and pests.
The current review deals with nutritional and antinu-
tritional properties of whole seeds and cotyledons of
Canavalia spp. (Canavalia gladiata, Canavalia maritima,
Canavalia ensiformis and Canavalia cathartica). The
physicochemical features, minerals, amino acids, fatty
acids and functional properties of these landraces are
furnished in this review. Antinutritional factors (conca-
navalin A, canavanine, canaline, canatoxin, urease, sap-
onins, other toxins) and their effects and detoxification
0308-8146/$ - see front matter Ó 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2005.07.049
*
Corresponding author. Tel.: +91 824 2287 261; fax: +91 824 2287
367.
E-mail address: sirikr@yahoo.com (K.R. Sridhar).
www.elsevier.com/locate/foodchem
Food Chemistry 99 (2006) 267–288
Food
Chemistry