Abstract:
The effect of germination on the levels of total nitrogen, nonprotein nitrogen, free amino acids, carbohydrates, phytic acid and the neurotoxin BOAA (Beta-N oxalyl amino-L-alanine) in grass pea (Lathyrus sativus) seeds was studied. During 6 days of germination, there was an increase in total nitrogen, nonprotein nitrogen and free amino acids. The increases in crude protein was 15 percent. Total sugars, reducing sugars and nonreducing sugars increased significantly while total carbohydrates decreased. Fat and phytic acid contents declined by 38 and 50 percent respectively whereas there were no significant changes in crude fibre, true protein, ash and BOAA contents.