Effect of antinutritional factors in khesari seeds (Lathyrus sativus) on the biological performance of chicks

Introduction To meet the protein requirement of the ever growing and predominantly vegetarian human population in India, efforts are in progress in the country to increase pulse production and to make those pulses consumable, which may otherwise adversely affect human health. Pulses constitute a primary source of proteins, add flavour and variety to a well-planned course of meals. These pulses are commonly called dhals and vary in their qualitative composition. Although the people consume pulses in most meals, excessive consumption of some pulses has been reported to result in adverse effects on human health due to the presence of certain anti-nutritional factors. Sometimes the pulses are found to be adulterated either intentionally or unintentionally. Among these adulterants, khesari (Lathyrus sativus) is the most important in pulses. In spite of restrictions on khesari cultivation, many poor and marginal people/farmers still grow khesari because it is a hardy crop, requires very little irrigation and other inputs and is resistant to drought and floods. Khesari contains 29-32% protein (4) but various reports have confirmed that prolonged consumption of this pulse afflicts the central nervous system, characterised by weakness and paralysis of leg muscles and death in extreme cases (neurolathyrism). The causative agent of lathyrism is thought to be the presence of β-N-oxalylamino-L-alanine (BOAA or ODAP), additionally there are other antinutritional factors in khesari such as tannins and trypsin inhibitors.