NUTRITIVE QUALITY OF THE ALKALOID-POOR WASHINGTON LUPIN (LUPINUS-POLYPHYLLUS LINDL VAR SF TA) AS A POTENTIAL PROTEIN CROP

An alkaloid-poor line of Washington lupin (Lupinus polyphyllus Lindl var SF/TA) was developed in an experiment started in 1982. The nutritive quality (alkaloid content, protein and amino acids, fat and fatty acids, macro- and micronutrients, fibre, sugars) yields, and seed quality of this line were studied. The results show that the total alkaloid content was low and varied in different seeds from 226 mug g-1 to 366 mug g-1 of dry matter. The main alkaloid was lupanine, but 16 other alkaloids (including sparteine and gramine) were also present. The var SF/TA cannot yet be used for human nutrition without processing although it would be a valuable protein crop. The results confirm that seeds which look different also vary in chemical composition.