Legumes consumption is a usual and beneficial part of the human diet and contributing to health. Moreover, it is presently taking place a re-evaluation for its useful effects of consumption in the diet, which is the basis for various health claims. They are essential source of protein, carbohydrates, dietary fibre, micronutrients and various phytochemicals. Legumes have appreciable quantity of all the essential amino acids excluding sulphur containing amino acids, which can be balanced to combine with cereals in daily intake. Starch is the major stored carbohydrate followed by dietary fibre, simple sugars and oligosaccharides. Calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and iron are also present in legume seeds. Bioavailability of nutrients can be increased by soaking, sprouting and fermentation. Consumption of legumes reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, some cancers (colon, breast and prostate) and also helps to manage body weight due to its satiety value. FAO has chosen 2016 as the International Year of Pulses which will emphasize the health and environmental benefits of pulses. Nutritional composition, anti-nutritional factors and health benefits of legumes are summarised in the current review.

Summary In this study, effect of plant sources viz. Gossypium hirsutum, Coriander sativum, Murraya koenigii and Dalbergia sisso on twelve physico‐chemical properties, phenolic content, flavonoids content as well as on trace mineral (Fe, Cu, Ni, Mn, Cd and Pb) contents of honey were investigated and compared. All the physico‐chemical values were in the range of approved limits of European Commission Regulation and the source of honey had a significant (P < 0.05) effect on physico‐chemical properties, phenol content, flavonoid content and trace mineral content. The results of positive correlations between physico‐chemical properties (colour and antioxidant properties) and compositional components (phenols and flavonoids content) established that antioxidant properties were dependent on source of honey rather than on colour of honey. Pattern recognition methods such as principal component analysis and linear discriminate analysis were performed to classify honey on the basis of physico‐chemical properties, phenolic content, flavonoids content and trace metal content. The variables proline and lead exhibited higher discrimination power.

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Floral authenticity of coriander (Coriandrum sativum) honey samples was confirmed by melissopalynology. Effect of temperature, time and pH on quality parameters i.e. hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) content, diastase and invertase activity of coriander honey was analysed using response surface methodology. Central composite rotatable design was adopted for optimization of process variables. An increased in HMF content was observed with increase in temperature and pH whereas diastase activity decreased with increase in temperature and with a pH value other than the optimum value of 4.6-5.6. Invertase activity was maximum at 4.8 pH. Interaction effect of temperature and pH was significant for HMF whereas interaction effect of temperature and time was significant for HMF, diastase and invertase activity. Optimization of variables was done by the mathematical method, and optimized values of HMF content, diastase, and invertase activity were obtained as 7.78 (mg/kg), 17.95 DN and 13.96 IN, respectively at 47.5 °C (temperature), 4.7 (pH) and 9 min (time).

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