Velvet bean, Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC. is an underutilized tropical legume promising in terms of protein, lipid, minerals, and other nutrients compared to other conventional legumes. Information on nutritional aspect of Mucuna is scanty and conflicting information are available regarding its mineral composition. Twenty germplasm accessions of Mucuna pruriens were analyzed for mineral profiles, total polyphenols, flavonoids and total soluble sugar on dry weight (DW) basis. The levels in total polyphenols and flavonoids varied greatly among the Mucuna germpalsm accessions and ranged from 3.62 to 6.13 g and 38.28 to 69.10 mg/100 g DW, respectively. Total soluble sugar content varied from 4.92 to 9.64 g with the mean value of 6.83 g/100 g DW. The investigated germplasm accessions were rich in minerals such as potassium, magnesium, iron and zinc. The macro-minerals such as potassium and magnesium ranged from 1324.0 to 1903.3 mg and 94.7 to 157.0 mg/100 g DW respectively. The micro-minerals such as iron, zinc and copper ranged from 5.56 to 12.47 mg, 2.39 to 4.43 mg and 1.45 to 3.69mg/100 g DW, respectively. There was a strong significant positive correlation between iron and zinc (r= 0.615) and between potassium and zinc (r= 0.403). The results indicated that there was considerable variation present within the Mucuna germplasm and they are rich in minerals which can be used as alternative legume for the people in developing countries to combat malnutrition.

Jamun (Syzygium cumini L.) seed is one of the rich sources of polyphenolic compounds​ ​with antioxidant potential and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. A study was conducted to​ ​optimize the methodology for the extraction of polyphenolic compounds (total phenolic​ ​and flavonoid contents) with antioxidant potential and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity​ ​from Jamun seed powder. The study showed that the nature of solvent and extraction​ ​conditions had a significant effect on total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content​ ​(TFC), antioxidant potential, and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. The TPC varied between​ ​6.0 (mg/g Jamun seed powder) for the acetone extract to 119.2 (mg/g) for 80% aqueous​ ​acetone extract and TFC varied between 1.06 mg/g for the acetone to 10.81 mg/g for the​ ​80% aqueous methanol. From the study, it was apparent that an aqueous form of acetone​ ​(acetone: water 80:20, v/v) is a better solvent system for extraction of polyphenolic​ ​compounds with high antioxidant potential and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity.​ ​Ultrasonication for 60 min increased the efficiency of phenolic extraction.