Impact of climate
change over the cropping years on nutritional and phytochemical compositions in
chickpeas and harnessing their potential for human utility
Prashansa, Kumar Rajendra and Yadav Neelam
Res. J. Biotech.; Vol. 20(7); 98-107;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/207rjbt0980107; (2025)
Abstract
The study investigates the proximate composition, non-nutrient phenols and mineral
profile of selected chickpea cultivars. Eight cultivars, comprising of four desi
(BG-3062, BG-20211, BG-1053 and K-850) and four kabuli (BG-3022, BG-2024, BG-1103,
BG-1108) varieties were analyzed. The data on the proximate composition of chickpeas
depicted that all cultivars had appreciable amount of protein, however, a significant
difference (19.13% - 25.36%) was found between cultivars. The non-nutrient analysis
showed total phenolic content (TPC) ranging from 101- 276 mg GAE/100g and total
flavonoid content (TFC) from 0.100-0.173 mg/g. Phytate content varied between 579-891.6
mg/100g. Phenol and phytate content were higher in desi cultivars than in kabuli.
Mineral analysis done by ICP-OES showed that newer cultivars BG-20211 had ample
amounts of iron and zinc. The study also compared the nutritional profile of four
established cultivars of chickpea over a 10-year (2009 and 2019) cropping interval.
There were significant changes in protein and mineral content in established chickpea
cultivars in both cropping years whereas TPC content was in the same order of magnitude.
A significant increase in phytate content was reported in the year 2019 in three
out of four established cultivars. The findings suggest that these chickpea cultivars
possess diverse nutritional properties, the ability to induce biotic/abiotic stresses
and to have a significant impact on climate change. This emphasizes the need for
targeted breeding and agricultural practices to enhance quality and biotic/abiotic
stresses in chickpeas.
