The biochemical composition of the seeds of six bean - Vigna unguiculata (Walp) cultivars was determined and the lipid fraction of each of these cultivars was characterized. The results suggest that all analyzed seed flours share similar biochemical composition, although the cultivars Br-14 and CE-315 differ in relation to Br-9 and Br-17 in water content. The purified fatty acid fractions were characterized according to their lipid content. The cultivar Br-17 possesses high content of palmitic acid (58.2%) and low content of linoleic acid (6.4%) while Vita 7 possesses high contents of linoleic acid (21.8%) and relatively low content of palmitic acid (41%) on a comparative basis. Pentacosanoic and eicosanoic acids represent the minor fraction of lipids and the former does not occur in CE-315. The results suggest that different cultivars obtained by genetic combination may present relevant differences in their biochemical composition. Thus, differences in germination capacity, resistance to predators in the field or storage house may be related to over expression or inhibition of genes encoding synthesis of relevant molecules which refleet difference in composition as demonstrated in this study.
chromatography; fatty acids; cowpea beans; Vigna unguiculata L. Walp
