Seed protein profiles of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) and some Atylosia species

The seed protein profile of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) appeared to be highly stable. The standard profile of this cultigen was found in 86 of the 90 accessions examined. Each of the Atylosia species, A. lineata, A. platycarpa, A. cajanifolia and A. scarabaeoides has its own profile but each band of the Atylosia species had a homologue in the standard profile of Cajanus or in one of its variants. This was taken as an indication for the polyphyletic origin of Cajanus from several Atylosia species. The appearance of specific Atylosia bands in some of the electrophoretic variants of Cajanus suggests that gene flow is still effective between pigeon pea and various Atylosia species. The poor solubility of the Atylosia seed protein in comparison to Cajanus indicates that domestication of Cajanus was coupled with increased solubility and perhaps a better nutritional value of this pulse as well.