OLIGOSACCHARIDE CONTENT OF MEXICAN WILD LEGUME SEEDS

Abstract

The consumption of raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFO) has recently gained importance due to the fact that they are considered prebiotic; it have been reported to prevent intestinal diseases, stimulate the immune system, improve lactose digestion and minerals absorption, and also prevent colon cancer. The aim of this work was to quantify the oligosaccharide content of seven different types of wild legumes seeds that are currently consumed or could potentialy be consumed after processing (Acacia pennatula (Schlecht. & Cham) Benth, Enterolobium cyclocarpum (Jacq.) Griseb, Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit, Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb.) Benth, Lupinus elegans Kunth, Lupinus montanus Kunth y Lupinus rotundiflorus M.E. Jones), by high performance liquid chromatography with refractive index detection (HPLC-RI). The proximate analysis showed a high content of protein, especially in Lupinus species. The total ?-galactoside content ranged from 18.6 mg g-1 (A. pennatula) to 88.1 mg g-1 (P. dulce). With the exception of E. cyclocarpum, in which raffinose content (49.0 mg g-1) was the highest stachyose and verbascose were the dominant oligosaccharides found in the legume species analyzed. These values indicate that these species can be significant source of raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs).