Variability in Biochemical Parameters of Different Genotypes of Lentil (Lens culinaris L.)

Ten varying genotypes of lentil namely PL 4, PL 406, PL 639, DPL 15, DPL 58, DPL 62, K 75, JL 1, VL 1 and Ranjan were evaluated for seed weight, soluble protein, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, pectin, unsaturated and saturated fatty acids. The seed weight varied between 1.52±0.03 to 3.37±0.01 g/100 seed, whereas the soluble protein ranged from 18.26 ± 0.27% to 22.62 ± 0.40%. Average cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and pectin was 2.82 ± 0.55%, 2.25 ± 0.45%, 3.05 ± 0.56% and 4.51 ± 1.37%, respectively with wide variability amongst genotypes. Palmitic acid was the major saturated fatty acid, present in the range of 19.15 ± 1.33 to 24.48 ± 0.97, whereas linoleic acid was the major unsaturated fatty acid present in the range of 33.67 ± 2.65 to 42.18 ± 2.17 of total fatty acids. Oleic and Linolenic were also present in adequate quantity. Myristic and stearic acids were present in very low concentrations. Variations in biochemical parameters in different genotypes are discussed.