Effect of gamma irradiation on antinutritional factors in broad bean

Complete text of publication follows. Broad bean (Vicia faba L.) like other legumes, are important both nutritionally and agriculturally. The effect of gamma irradiation on the level of antinutritional factors (trypsin inhibitor, phytic acid and oligosaccharides) of broad bean was investigated. The seeds were subjected to gamma irradiation at 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 kGy, respectively using cobalt-60 as a source of radiation (Gamma Cell-220, Canada) at dose rate 2.3711 kGy/min. Trypsin inhibitor activity was reduced by 4.5, 6.7, 8.5 and 9.2% at 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 kGy, respectively. Meanwhile, the phytic acid content was reduced by 10.2, 12.3, 15.4 and 18.2 at the same above treatments. On the other head the flatulence causing oligosaccharides were decreased as the radiation dose increased. The chemical composition (protein, oil, ash and total carbohydrates) of the tested seeds were determined. Gamma radiation seem to be good procedure to improve the quality of broad bean from the nutritional point of view