EFFECT OF GERMINATION ON THE CYANIDE AND OLIGOSACCHARIDE CONTENT OF LIMA-BEANS (PHASEOLUS-LUNATUS)

Lima bean seeds (Phaseolus lunatus) were germinated at room temperature for 5 days. Germination resulted in a decrease in the raffinose content; this was significant by the 5th day. In contrast, sucrose, glucose and galactose increased significantly by the 5th day of germination. There was a highly significant decrease in the cyanide content of the cotyledons when the seeds were germinated for 5 days, The shoot which appeared on the 4th day contained 11.7 mg kg(-1) of cyanide and this increased to 50.9 mg kg(-1) on the 5th day. In contrast, the amount of cyanide present in the root on the 3rd day decreased during germination. While germination resulted in an increase in protein content, the lipid content significantly decreased.