The present study was aimed at investigating some biochemical properties, mineral contents and amino acid composition in seeds of Mucuna pruriens as a function of ripening stage. These seeds were harvested at different stages of maturation in a field carried out in the center of Côte d'Ivoire (Gbèkê Region). Seeds and pod were separated, and they were oven dried and ground to obtain the crude flour and analyzed according to standard procedures. Results showed that levels of dry matter (85.229-94.025 g.100g-1 dw), lipids (1.503-2.973 g.100g-1 dw), proteins (17.810-28.617 ± 0.296 g.100g-1 dw), fiber (6.483-7.477 g.100g-1 dw), ash (3.922 -9.231 g.100g-1 dw) and total sugars (10.338 -26.210 g.100g-1 dw) , increase significantly with the stage of maturity, while those of carbohydrates (70.282-51.703 g.100g-1 dw) and the energy value (365.893-348.037 Kcal.100g-1) decreases. Mineral analysis revealed that seeds are rich in essential minerals. Potassium (915.54- 20065.73 ug.100g-1) were the most abundant mineral, followed by magnesium (1335.33-16546.66 ug.100g-1), calcium (808.66-7739.39 ug.100g-1) and phosphorus (732.33-7440.00 ug.100g-1). The least abundant minerals were sodium (0.00-60.22 ug.100g-1), zinc (20.25-56.33 ug.100g-1), iron (41.63-475.52 ug.100g-1), copper (9.76-37.99 ug.100g-1) and manganese (0.00-5.94 ug.100g-1). For all assayed minerals, highest levels were founded in the seeds harvested 45 days after fertilization. Amino-acids profile has showed nutritionally useful amounts of essential amino acids such as histidine (18.32-40.81 mg.g-1 protein), isoleucine (30.76-66.35 mg.g-1 protein), leucine (72.47-103.51 mg.g-1 protein), lysine (27.22-57.28 mg.g-1 protein), methionine (25.51-51.74 mg.g-1 protein), threonine (10.91-37.40 mg.g-1 protein), tryptophan (29.22 -61.62 mg.g-1 protein) and valine (35.71-72.74 mg.g-1 protein). The study revealed M. pruriens seeds are rich in energetic and nutritional compounds. However, to optimize their nutritional qualities they may be harvest 35 days after the fertilization of the flowers.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the anti-nutrient and organic acid content of the seeds of three legumes of the genus Canavalia according to their maturity stage. The biological material used for the laboratory operations consisted of seeds and pods at different stages of maturity harvested from a field in the Gbèkê region, central Côte d'Ivoire. Seeds of the three cultivars were harvested at different stages of maturity: 30 days (S1), 40 days (S2), 50 days (S3), 60 days (S4) and 80 days (S5) after fertilisation. The seeds are dried and ground to obtain the raw meal. The content of anti-nutrient compounds was studied using standard colorimetric methods, while the distribution of organic acids was carried out using HPLC analytical methods. The composition of anti-nutrients showed that their content decreased during ripening from stage S1 to stage S5 with the lowest contents, respectively for Canavalia gladiata, Canavalia rosea and Canavalia ensiformis being : 33.49 ± 0.06, 32.06 ± 0.06, 21.23 ± 0.06 mg/100g DM for phytates; 257.15 ± 0.06, 141.48 ± 0.07, 177.42 ± 0.06 mg/100g DM for oxalates; 1.39 ± 0.05, 1.67 ± 0.01, 1.09 ± 0. 01 mg/100g DM for saponin; 449.17 ± 5.54, 442.50 ± 5.38, 546.67 ± 2.98 mg/100g DM for L-dopamine and 98967.42 ± 3.27, 866.71 ± 3.19, 437.67 ± 1.99 trypsin units inhibited by trypsin inhibitors. With regard to the content of organic acids at all stages of maturity, it is noted that the predominant for the extracts of C. gladiata and C. rosea is lactic acid (0. 05 to 3.68 mg/kg DM and 0.03 to 4.02 mg/kg DM) followed by acetic acid (0.03 to 3.06 mg/kg DM and 0.01 to 2.11 mg/kg DM) and oxalic acid (0.01 to 2.76 mg/kg DM and 0.01 to 1.54 mg/kg DM).

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