Nutrient composition of beach pea (Lathyrus maritimus L.) seeds and pod shells at various stages of maturity

The biochemical composition of seeds and pod shells of beach pea was determined during growth and maturation. The content of crude and soluble protein, soluble sugars and phenolics was high in the fresh green seeds and pod shells, but these decreased rapidly during seed maturation. Meanwhile, the corresponding content of starch increased in seeds and decreased in pod shells. Glutamic acid was the predominant amino acid in seeds and aspartic acid was dominant in pod shells. Levels of arginine, alanine and threonine were highest in fresh green seeds. Methionine and cysteine content increased during seed maturation, but declined in pod shells. Free amino acid content decreased rapidly during latter stages of seed maturation. Potassium, calcium, sodium and phosphorus were the predominant minerals in fresh green seeds and pod shells, but iron content was highest in mature pod shells relative to that of other stages of maturation. Major changes in color (pigment interchanges) also occurred during maturation. Based on its biochemical composition, beach pea may become of special importance for widespread cultivation.