Chickpea (Cicer Arietinum) was germinated for different lengths of time to determine the influence of germination on the functional and nutritional properties of this legume. Chemical analysis of the flours showed a very significant increase in vitamin C and in lysine during germination. Vitamin C values ranged from 1.2 to 15.6 mg/100 g and lysine from 10.5 to 13.5 g/100g of protein for the intact and the 48 hr-germinated chickpea, respectively. Starch content decreased 15.5% and soluble sugars increased 20% after only 24 hr of germination. Germination decreased trypsin inhibitor activity by 28%. Chickpea and 24 hr germinated chickpea were used as ingredients in the preparation of several products. Germination increased acceptability in some of these products by modifying their rheological and sensory properties. Seed germination enhanced significantly the nutritional quality of chickpea protein. Protein efficiency ratio associated with the germinated chickpea diets compared favorably to that obtained with the casein diet. Protein digestibility decreased as germination time increased. Essential amino acid availability did not change after 24 hr of germination, but small decreases were observed after 48 hr. Protein and starch were studied separately to determine their influence on the observed modifications. No significant changes were found in the concentration of proteins in germinated chickpea even after 72 hr of germination as indicated by densitometry scans of SDS-PAGE patterns. Starch was isolated from intact and germinated chickpeas and characterized by several of its physicochemical properties and its susceptibility to alpha-amylase hydrolysis. Germination increased substantially starch digestibility and modified some of the physico-chemical properties of starch. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed no apparent differences between starches except for a tendency of the germinated chickpea starch to clump. These results suggest that changes in texture, consistency and other physical parameters observed on the germinated chickpea-based products may be attributed mostly to starch.

Bibliography: leaves 201-228. Widespread deficiencies of mineral nutrients in soils along with limited moisture supply are considered major environmental stresses leading to yield losses in chickpea. This study was conducted to determine the zinc requirement of chickpea and the effect on plant water relations. Critical zinc concentration was estimated. It was found that high and low moisture regimes had no effect on critical zinc concentration and that the value remained almost the same in all chickpea genotypes. Sensitivity of 28 chickpea genotypes were evaluated at two zinc levels. Field studies on zinc fertilization in both Australia and Pakistan showed that the application of zinc increased grain yield in all chickpea genotypes. It was found that plants grown under zinc deficiency could not exploit available soil moisture and water use and water use efficiency was reduced, and concluded that high zinc availability may enhance the ability of plants to endure periods of drought by promoting osmotic adjustment.

Bibliography: leaves 201-228. / xvii, 228 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Widespread deficiencies of mineral nutrients in soils along with limited moisture supply are considered major environmental stresses leading to yield losses in chickpea. This study was conducted to determine the zinc requirement of chickpea and the effect on plant water relations. Critical zinc concentration was estimated. It was found that high and low moisture regimes had no effect on critical zinc concentration and that the value remained almost the same in all chickpea genotypes. Sensitivity of 28 chickpea genotypes were evaluated at two zinc levels. Field studies on zinc fertilization in both Australia and Pakistan showed that the application of zinc increased grain yield in all chickpea genotypes. It was found that plants grown under zinc deficiency could not exploit available soil moisture and water use and water use efficiency was reduced, and concluded that high zinc availability may enhance the ability of plants to endure periods of drought by promoting osmotic adjustment. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Plant Science, 1999

Bibliography: leaves 201-228. / xvii, 228 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Widespread deficiencies of mineral nutrients in soils along with limited moisture supply are considered major environmental stresses leading to yield losses in chickpea. This study was conducted to determine the zinc requirement of chickpea and the effect on plant water relations. Critical zinc concentration was estimated. It was found that high and low moisture regimes had no effect on critical zinc concentration and that the value remained almost the same in all chickpea genotypes. Sensitivity of 28 chickpea genotypes were evaluated at two zinc levels. Field studies on zinc fertilization in both Australia and Pakistan showed that the application of zinc increased grain yield in all chickpea genotypes. It was found that plants grown under zinc deficiency could not exploit available soil moisture and water use and water use efficiency was reduced, and concluded that high zinc availability may enhance the ability of plants to endure periods of drought by promoting osmotic adjustment. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Plant Science, 1999