Abstract

Legumes are an important component of the common mans’ diet in Pakistan and various species of legumes are grown throughout Pakistan. Little work exists on determination of metal contents and antioxidant activity of pods and leaves of food legumes. Current research is designed to quantify metal contents of leaves and pods of selected legumes and to establish antioxidant profiles of crude methanolic extracts of leaves and pods of said species. Presence of higher amounts of all necessary mineral contents indicates that said legumes may find their place in livestock feed as well as human diet. On the basis of employed analytical methods, the tested legume extracts may be considered easily accessible natural sources of antioxidants and valuable additions to forage for grazing animals due to mineral contents present in their leaves and pods.

Key words: Legumes, pods, leaves, metals, antioxidant, Pakistan.