Journal of Biological Sciences1727-30481812-5719Asian Network for Scientific Information10.3923/jbs.2007.776.780A. SuliemanMashier M. ElTyebMohamed A. AbbassMohamed E.A. IbrahimElkhalil E. BabikerElfadil H. ElTinayAbdullahi 5200775The study was conducted to evaluate changes during germination in chemical composition, phytic acid, phytase activity and total and extractable minerals of lentil cultivars. Three Sudanese lentil cultivars (Rubatab, Nadi and Selaim) were germinated for 3 and 6 days. The germinated seeds were dried and milled. Proximate composition, phytic acid content, phytase activity and hydrochloric acid (HCl) extractability of minerals were determined. During germination crude fat and fiber increased, whereas nitrogen free extract (NFE) and food energy decreased. Phytic acid content decreased significantly (p≤0.05) with an increase in germination time. Germination resulted in a decrease in total phytate phosphorous with correspondingly marked increase in non-phytate phosphorus. Total and extractible minerals (P, Ca, Fe, Mg, Cu and Zn) were positively correlated with duration of germination except Cu and Zn. Germination for 3 days increased phytase activity significantly (p≤0.05) for all cultivars. Phytase activity of Rubatab cultivar continued to increase up to 6 days of germination, however, for Nadi and Selaim cultivar it slightly decreased. In order to obtain lentil seeds with high phytase activity, low phytic acid and high mineral extractibility, germination process for more than 3 days is recommended.]]>AOAC.,198414th Edn.,Bau, H., C. Villaume, J. Nicolas and L. Mejean,199723260263Beal, L. and T. Mehta,19855096100Chapman, H.D. and F.P. Pratt,19611st Edn.,pp: 184-203pp: 184-203Chapman, H.D. and F.P. Pratt,19822nd Edn.,pp: 169-170pp: 169-170Chauhan, B.M. and H. Mahjan,19885315761577Dhaliwal, Y. and R. Aggarwal,199936266267Duhan, A., N. Khetarpaul and S. Bishnoi,200278914Engelen A.J., F.C. van der Heeft, P.H.G. Randsdorp and E.L.C. Smit,199477760764Gifford, S.R. and F.M. Clydesdale,19905517201724Honke, J., H. Kozlowska, C. Vidal-Valverde, J. Frras and R. Gorecki,1998206279283Kratzer, F.H. and P. Vohra,1986pp: 49-61pp: 49-61Kozlowska, H., J. Honke, J. Sadowska, J. Frias and C. Vidal-Valverde,199671367375Lolas, G.M. and P. Markakis,1975Phaseolus vulgaris L.).]]>231315Lopez, H.W., F. Leenhardt, C. Coudray and C. Remesy,200237727739Nielson, S.S. and I.E. Liener,1984Phasedu vulgaris during germination: Role of endogenus proteases and proteases inhibitor.]]>74494498Ologhobo, A.D. and B.L. Fetuga,198617117120Oloya, R.A.,2004Cajanus cajan L.]]>85479502Osborne, D.R. and P. Voogt,1978pp: 24-34pp: 24-34Reddy, N.R., S.K. Sathe and D.K. Salunkhe,19822819Samia, M.A., B.E. Hagir, H.L. Wisal, B.H. Amro, E.B. Elfadil and H.E. Abdullahi,200758617Sandberg, A.S. and R. Ahderinne,198651547550Sangronis, E. and C.J. Machado,2007Phaseolus vulgaris and Cajanus cajan.]]>40116120Shastry, M. and E. John,1991in vitro protein digestibility of the endosperm of germinating Dolichos lablab.]]>55529538Snedecor, G.W. and W.G. Cochran,198717th Edn.,pp: 221-222pp: 221-222Viresos, A., C. Centeno, A. Brenes, R. Canales and A. Lazano,20004840094013