Comparative evaluation of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) genotypes for nutritional quality and antioxidant potential

Abstract

Ten cowpea genotypes were evaluated for better fodder quality, antioxidant and yield potentials. The average content of crude protein, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, crude fibre, ash and ether extract was 16.63, 48.15, 36.10, 28.44, 10.54 and 2.91%, respectively. The average sugar and starch content was observed 20.45 and 32.31 mg/g, respectively. The phenol, tannin and flavonoid content was positively correlated with 2, 2- diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl free radical scavenging activity (P<0.05) and total reducing power (P<0.01). Saponin content was positively correlated with nitric oxide radical scavenging activity. Among all genotypes, UPC-628 genotype had low phenol and flavonoid content and C88 had low tannin and saponin contents, respectively. The green fodder, dry matter and crude protein yields were found maximum in PFC-39, PFC-40 and PFC-12 genotypes, respectively. Nutritionally superior genotypes could be involved in breeding programme with high yielding genotypes PFC-39 and PFC-40 to develop nutritionally rich and high yielding genotypes.