Effects of processing and cooking on ascorbic acid content of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L) varieties

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L) is an important source of protein in several developing countries. Two commonly grown chickpea cultivars, HPG-17 and C-235, were evaluated for their physicochemical characteristics such as 100-seed weight and density. Both chickpea varieties were subjected to various processing treatments and then analysed for their ascorbic acid content. The ascorbic acid content was generally found to be higher in the C-235 variety, but it was higher in the HPG-17 variety after germination. Significant results were obtained for both varieties after various treatments such as pressure cooking, germination, parching and solar cooking. It was found that the ascorbic acid content in both varieties decreased after all treatments except germination. (C) 2001 Society of Chemical Industry.