The nutritional profile of Mucuna pruriens seeds can vary depending on a number of factors, including plant variety, growth environment, maturity of the seeds, and type of processing. In general, Mucuna pruriens seeds contain approximately 25–35% protein, 40–65% carbohydrates, 4–14% fat, and 4–12% fiber.[1][2][3]
Parts of the plant also contain:
- L-DOPA, with mature seeds usually containing between around 2% and 6% of L-DOPA by weight,[4][5][6] and the roots, stems, and leaves generally containing <1%[7]
- Vitamin B3[8]
- Tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids, in amounts ranging from 8 to 24 mg per 500 grams of the dried milled seeds[9]
- NN-dimethyltryptamine (DMT),5-MeO-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT), and bufotenin (although not enough to produce psychedelic effects)[10][11]
- Beta-carboline[10]
- Mucunain (a protease enzyme in the fine hairs on Mucuna pruriens seed pods, which causes skin irritation and itching)[12]
- Various saponins, anthraquinones, flavonoids, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, and tannins[13]
- GpMuc (a glycoprotein inhibitor of protein digestive enzymes)[14]
- Behenic acid[2]
- CoQ10 and nicotine adenine dinucleotide, reduced (NADH)[8]
- Two forms of inositol: D-chiro inositol and myo-inositol[15]
- Dietary minerals, including potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, iron, and selenium [2]
References
- ^Ezegbe CC, Nwosu JN, Owuamanam CI, Victor-Aduloju TA, Nkhata SGProximate composition and anti-nutritional factors in (velvet bean) seed flour as affected by several processing methods.Heliyon.(2023-Aug)
- ^Bhat R, Sridhar KR, Seena SNutritional quality evaluation of velvet bean seeds (Mucuna pruriens) exposed to gamma irradiation.Int J Food Sci Nutr.(2008-Jun)
- ^Kala BK, Mohan VRNutritional and anti-nutritional potential of three accessions of itching bean (Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC var. pruriens): an under-utilized tribal pulse.Int J Food Sci Nutr.(2010-Aug)
- ^Fernandez-Pastor I, Luque-Muñoz A, Rivas F, Medina-O'Donnell M, Martinez A, Gonzalez-Maldonado R, Haidour A, Parra AQuantitative NMR analysis of L-Dopa in seeds from two varieties of Mucuna pruriens.Phytochem Anal.(2019-Jan)
- ^Archana P Raina, Renu KhatriQuantitative Determination of L-DOPA in Seeds of Mucuna Pruriens Germplasm by High Performance Thin Layer ChromatographyIndian J Pharm Sci.(2011 Jul)
- ^Haridas Pulikkalpura, Rajani Kurup, Paravanparampil Jacob Mathew, Sabulal BabyLevodopa in Mucuna pruriens and its degradationSci Rep.(2015 Jun 9)
- ^Rakesh B, Hima Bindu K, Praveen NVariations in the L-DOPA Content, Phytochemical Constituents and Antioxidant Activity of Different Germlines of *Mucuna pruriens* (L.) DC.AJC.(2021 Jul)
- ^Manyam BV, Dhanasekaran M, Hare TANeuroprotective effects of the antiparkinson drug Mucuna pruriens.Phytother Res.(2004-Sep)
- ^Misra L, Wagner HAlkaloidal constituents of Mucuna pruriens seeds.Phytochemistry.(2004-Sep)
- ^Ghosal S, Singh S, Bhattacharya SKAlkaloids of Mucuna pruries chemistry and pharmacology.Planta Med.(1971-Feb)
- ^Sridhar KR, Bhat RAgrobotanical, nutritional and bioactive potential of unconventional legume - *Mucuna*LRRD.(2007 Sep)
- ^Reddy VB, Iuga AO, Shimada SG, LaMotte RH, Lerner EACowhage-evoked itch is mediated by a novel cysteine protease: a ligand of protease-activated receptors.J Neurosci.(2008-Apr-23)
- ^Agbafor KN, Nwachukwu NPhytochemical Analysis and Antioxidant Property of Leaf Extracts of Vitex doniana and Mucuna pruriens.Biochem Res Int.(2011)
- ^Hope-Onyekwere NS, Ogueli GI, Cortelazzo A, Cerutti H, Cito A, Aguiyi JC, Guerranti REffects of Mucuna pruriens protease inhibitors on Echis carinatus venom.Phytother Res.(2012-Dec)
- ^Donati D, Lampariello LR, Pagani R, Guerranti R, Cinci G, Marinello EAntidiabetic oligocyclitols in seeds of Mucuna pruriens.Phytother Res.(2005-Dec)