Published Paper Details:

Fenugreek is one of the well-known species in human use. Its seeds and green leaves are used as food and fodder as well as in medicinal preparation which is an old practice of human history. The seeds are traditionally used for the treatment of many diseases. Fenugreek seeds are also used as spice and condiment. Besides this it is also nutritionally very rich. In the present study, the extraction and estimation of the important reserve nutrients and three major hydrolases, Amylase, Protease and Lipase were done at all the six important intermediate phases of germination. The percentage of hydrolases were found to vary at different phases of germination. More starch was degraded during early phases of germination. Initial phases showed rapid protein degradation. Protein mobilization into the axis lowered its level in cotyledons due to in situ utilization of soluble protein and reduction of nitrates into plant proteins. Lipase activity was higher during initial phases due to more availability of water for stored lipid hydrolysis. These facts would be helpful in the encouragement of fenugreek consumption as a nutritional supplement along with its medicinal properties. It will also be useful in a detailed study of utilization of cotyledonary contents of fenugreek and other similar seeds through out the phenomenon of germination.