Abstract
Legumes constitute a food group with significant nutritional and economic value worldwide. A large portion of the world's population depends on them as an important and affordable source of protein. Given this importance, the objective of this study was to evaluate the chemical and nutritional properties of legumes. Eight species commonly consumed in the Albanian diet were analyzed: beans, lentils, chickpeas, soybeans, faba beans, green beans, peas, and okra. The moisture, fat, protein, selected vitamins, and polyphenol contents were determined in the collected samples. The results revealed that dried legumes exhibited higher nutritional values for most parameters compared to fresh ones (peas, okra, and green beans). The vitamin content was satisfactory, especially for vitamins B1, B2, and E. In conclusion, the findings highlight the importance of including legumes in a balanced diet as valuable nutritional sources and underscore the need to promote their consumption in the context of sustainable nutrition.
| Keywords: | Legumes Chemical composition Nutritional Values Vitamins |