Biochemical Composition of Lathyrus L. Seeds: Antioxidant Activities, Phenolic Profiles, β-ODAP and Protein Contents

Lathyrus taxa are used in different areas including nutritive, agricultural areas, and they are seen as the source of both protein and phenolics. Lathyrus taxa seeds contain a neurotoxic substance called beta-N-oxalyl-L-alpha,beta-diaminopropionic acid (beta-ODAP) in different amounts. Lathyrus species grown in Turkey is reported to have low beta-ODAP and high protein content. In this study, antioxidant activities, phenolic profiles, beta-ODAP and protein contents of six Lathyrus taxa were investigated. Total phenolic content (TPC) in Lathyrus taxa used was ranging from 0.17 +/- 0.05 to 5.10 +/- 0.02. The antioxidant activities were observed in a wide interval that IC50 values were between 7.05 +/- 0.11 to 1.15 +/- 0.08 mg/mL. The highest TPC and antioxidant activity were recorded for L. clymenum. In HPLC analysis, gallic, p-hydroxybenzoic, caffeic, chlorogenic acid and epicatechin in all of the extracts were determined. Also, beta-ODAP and protein contents in seeds of the Lathyrus taxa were found between 0.20-1.18 mg/g and 22.66-29.74%, respectively. beta-ODAP contents of investigated Layhyrus taxa were within the safe consumption range in terms of health (<2.00 mg/g). The investigated Lathyrus taxa were found to be excellent protein sources with low beta-ODAP content and contain natural antioxidants. As a result, this study has provided important data for wild Lathyrus taxa to be used as a cheap protein source and functional food for promoting health.