Phytochemicals, Antioxidants and Glycemic Index Assessment of Lablab purpureus (Lablab Bean) and Phaseolus lunatus (Lima Bean) Seeds

Abstract

Some legumes are commonly used as commercial food crops in West Africa while others are lesser known, neglected or underutilized. This research work is aimed at the evaluation of the chemical compositions and possible utilization of the legume Lablab purpureus and Phaseolus lunatus samples to solve metabolic diseases.  The evaluation of the chemical compositions and glycemic index (GI) of both seeds were carried out using standard methods. Phytochemical screening conducted on the seeds showed the presence of tannin, saponin, alkaloid and flavonoids in both samples. The results of antioxidant properties of the seeds showed that Phaseolu slunatus and Lablab purpureushave Vitamin C (35.01 ± 0.02 and8.75± 0.03)mg/g, ferric reducing property (20.54 ± 0.02and 12.75 ± 0.03)mg/g, phenol (2.02 ± 0.02 and 2.05 ± 0.02)mg/g, flavonoids (3.47 ± 0.11 and3.22 ± 0.02) % andfree radical scavenging property (46.52 ±0.05 and 60.16 ±0.32)% respectively.The anti-nutrient results showed tannin (1.07 ± 0.01 and 1.22 ± 0.02)%, saponin (4.66 ± 0.05 and 5.15 5.15 ± 0.05)%, oxalate (3.20 ± 0.19 and 5.19 ± 0.19)mg/g, phytate(6.51 ± 0.01 and 2.64 ± 0.01) % for Lablab purpureus and Phaseoluslunatusseeds are respectively.The glycemic indices observed are ( 50.86 and 58.21)% forLablab purpureus and Phaseoluslunatusseeds respectively. The findings revealed that both seeds possessed good nutritional quality required in human diet together with adequate antioxidant properties plus low and medium glycemic indices  that could help in fighting various cardiovascular diseases and prove them to be good sources of neutraceuticals required for a healthy living especially in diabetic patients.