Nutrients and certain lipid soluble bioactive components in dehusked whole grains (gota) and dehusked splits (dhal) from pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) and their cooking characteristics

The nutritional quality of dehusked whole grains (gota) and dehusked splits (dhal) in red and
white varieties of pigeon pea regarding proximate composition and certain lipid-soluble
bioactive components was investigated. A decrease in fat and crude fiber was noticed when
gota was converted to dhal. The lipid profile of gota and dhal from red and white husk pigeon pea
types indicated that essential fatty acids were greater in gota than in their respective dhals. Gota
from white husk variety contained more tocopherols than the red variety. Dhal contained less
tocopherols than gota. A decrease in the content of gamma and alpha tocopherols, vitamin E
activity and total antioxidant activity also indicates loss of bioactive components on splitting gota
into dhal. Cooking time and dispersed solids on cooking indicated good cooking quality of gotta.
The results indicated the nutritional superiority of gota over dhal and its similarity with dhal in
cooking characteristics.