Cell wall composition and nutrients in soybean genotypes of varying seed coat colour

Abstract

The objective of this study was to characterize the cell wall composition and nutrients in twenty soybean genotypes varying in seed coat colour. Mean seed weight among different groups differed significantly and followed the order: brown>yellow>green>black. Moisture content varied from 6.1-17.9% and three black, one brown and one green soybean genotype exhibited moisture content higher than 15%. Acid detergent fibre, hemicellulose, cellulose and ash content in these genotypes varied from 8.0-35.3, 1.66-4.00, 1.33-5.0, and 2.06-8.6% respectively. SEL37 and GP1093 contained highest (5.0%) cellulose whereas EC251388 showed the least (1.33%). Genotypes belonging to black group exhibited highest mean neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, lignin, free amino acids and tannins and lowest saponins and contents varied significantly from brown, green and yellow groups. Among all the genotypes, SL958 contained highest acid detergent fibre and lignin and SL525 the least. Total soluble protein content of black, brown, green and yellow groups varied from 29.5-40.56, 29.37-30.43, 28.03-43.1 and 30.53-43.23 g/100 g, respectively. Highest mean total soluble protein (37.55 %) and oil (21.9%) was recorded in yellow coloured soybean genotypes and values were significantly higher as compared to black, brown and green groups.