Biochemical mapping of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik) genotypes for quality traits

Six genotypes and thirty-eight advance breeding lines of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) were evaluated for carbohydrate composition, soluble proteins, mineral content and antinutritional traits such as phenolic compounds, tannins, trypsin inhibitors, saponins and phytic acid. The average content of total sugars, starch and proteins was found to be 47.18, 421.2, 236.24 mg/g, respectively. Lentil genotypes contained higher content of iron, followed by zinc and the least content of copper. The content of bound fructose, phytic acid, tannins and phenols showed significant variation in lentil genotypes. Seven genotypes namely LL-1277, LL-1302, LL-1306, LL-1310, LL-1317, LL-1325 and L-4147 have low phytic acid content and are nutritionally good. LL-1231, LL-1305 and LL1317 had higher content of both zinc and iron as well as protein content. LL-1328 could be important for pest resistance due to presence of higher trypsin inhibitor activity. Antioxidant potential of these genotypes estimated on the basis of free radical scavenging activity (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), total reducing power, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, superoxide anion radical scavenging activity and nitric oxide radical scavenging activity showed significant variation among genotypes. Thirteen genotypes (LL-699, LL-1209, LL1223, LL-1277, LL-1279, LL-1302, LL-1304, LL-1306, LL-1309, LL-1311, LL-1315, LL-1321, LL-1325) showed high antioxidant activity. Advance breeding lines namely LL-1161, LL-1221, LL-1313, LL-1325, L-4147 are nutritionally important with high protein content, low/medium antinutritional factors, high antioxidant potential and good yield.