IDENTIFICATION OF PROTEINS OF VIGNA SUBTERRANEA L.VERDC (FABACEA)

This study attempts to highlight the importance of Bambara groundnut, a legume as a booster of the dietary protein stock available to the lower strata of the population in most developing countries especcially in African as well as suspected health benefits of some of the proteins in the management of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, digestive tract disorders and weight control. The indentification of the proteins of Vigna subterrenea L. Verdc. was carried out using MudPit and LC‐MALDI TOF‐TOF mass spectrometry. Some of the proteins we isolated include Seed storage protein B, Mung bean seed albumin Chain A, Crystal Structure Of Adzuki Bean 7s Globulin‐3, Dehydrin and 8S globulin alpha subunit. We also observed the sequence homology of most of the proteins with those of some other Vigna species, especially Vigna radiata, Vigna angularis and Vigna unguiculata. Our overall goal is to direct attention to Bambara groundnut and cause it to be removed from the list of under‐utilized and neglected crops and initiate a shift in governmental policies towards this direction.