1Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana - 141004, Punjab
2Department of Biochemistry, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana - 141004, Punjab
*Corresponding author: meenakshigoyal@pau.edu
Online published on 15 March, 2023.
The seed coat color, in case of legumes, plays a major role for the presence of biological active components displaying free radical scavenging activities. The extensive variability of cowpea genotypes creates the need to characterize them with regard to their nutritional value as a tool in biofortification programs. The purpose of this study is to evaluate cowpea genotypes to identify superior genotypes with high nutritional quality and superior antioxidant potential. The average content of crude protein, crude fibre, ash and ether extract was found to be 23.8%, 6.9%, 3.4% and 1.4% and sugar and starch contents were 60.4 mg/g and 313.9 mg/g, respectively. A significant negative correlation was found between color value (L*) and total phenol (p<0.01), tannin (p<0.05), saponin (p<0.05), DPPH activity (p<0.05), FRAP activity (p<0.01), total reducing power (p<0.01). Black colored Arka Garima possessed 3- fold more phenol, tannin and saponin content than cream colored Pusa Sampada genotype. The phenol and tannin contents were positively correlated with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging activity (p<0.05), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) (p<0.05) and total reducing power (p<0.01). Instead of colored genotypes, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity was observed maximum in creamish white color genotype Pusa Sampada and nitric oxide radical scavenging activity (NORSA) in greyish brown genotype BL-1. The maximum average seed yield was found in PFC-39 genotype followed by UPC-628 genotype. In conclusion, wide variation for all the traits can be used to develop nutritionally important genotypes.
Bioactive compounds, FRAP activity, Seed coat color, Seed yield, Starch
