Macrotyloma uniflorum

Horse gram
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
Family: Fabaceae
Genus: Macrotyloma
Species: M. uniflorum
Binomial name
Macrotyloma uniflorum
(Lam.) Verdc.
  • M. uniflorum var. benadirianum (Chiov.) Verdc.
  • etc.

Macrotyloma uniflorum (horse gram, kulthi bean, hurali, Madras gram) is one of the lesser known beans. The whole seeds of horse gram are generally utilized as cattle feed. However, it is consumed as a whole seed, as sprouts, or as whole meal in India, popular especially in southern Indian states. Medical uses of these legumes have been discussed.

Horse gram and moth bean are legumes of the tropics and subtropics, grown mostly under dry-land agriculture. The chemical composition is comparable with more commonly cultivated legumes. Like other legumes, these are deficient in methionine and tryptophan, though horse gram is an excellent source of iron and molybdenum. Comparatively, horse gram seeds have higher trypsin inhibitor and hemagglutinin activities and natural phenols than most bean seeds. Natural phenols are mostly phenolic acids, namely, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic, 4-hydroxybenzoic, vanillic, caffeic, p-coumaric, ferulic, syringic and sinapic acids.[1] Dehusking, germination, cooking, and roasting have been shown to produce beneficial effects on nutritional quality of both the legumes. Though both require prolonged cooking, a soak solution(1.5% NaHCO
3 + 0.5% Na
2CO
3 + 0.75% citric acid) has been shown to reduce cooking time and improve protein quality. Moth bean is mostly consumed as dhal or sprouts.

Indian regional specifics

In Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, horse gram (Ulava (singular) Ulavalu (plural), 'ఉలవలు') is prescribed for persons suffering from jaundice or water retention, and as part of a weight loss diet. It is considered helpful for iron deficiencies, and is considered helpful for maintaining body temperature in the winter season. Ulavacharu (Horse gram soup) is popular dish in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, it is served in most of the Telugu speaking people's weddings and ceremonies and tastes wonderful with boiled rice.

In Kerala, horse gram, (called മുതിര(Muthira) in Malayalam which almost sounds like കുതിര (kuthira), Malayalam word for horse), is used in special kinds of dishes.

In Tamil Nadu, horse gram (called கொள்ளு(Kollu), in the southern districts it is called Kaanam) is commonly used in Tamil dishes, including kollu chutney, kollu porial, kollu avial, kollu sambar, and kollu rasam. In traditional siddha cuisine, horse gram is considered a food with medicinal qualities.

In Maharashtra, and specifically the coastal Konkan region and Goa, horse gram (Kulith) is often used to make Kulith Usual, pithla and laddu.

In India, it is also known as Gahat, Muthira, Kulath or Kulthi, ಹುರಳಿ (huraLi).

It is used to make popular dishes like Kulitan Saaru, Kulitan Upkari, Kulitan Ghassi(coconut curry preparation) and idli like preparation(but not fermented) called Kulitan Sannan.

In Karnataka cuisine, 'ಹುರಳಿಸಾರು' (huraLi saaru), ಹುರಳಿ (huraLi) is a main ingredient.Hurali is also used in preparation like usali,chutney and Basaaru and upsaaru or upnesaru (Particulraly in Old Mysore Regions like Mandya & Chamrajnagara Districts)

In South Canara region of Karnataka, in Tulu it is also called as Kudu (ಕುಡು).

Gahat or Kulath is a major ingredient in the Pahari region of northern India. In Himachal Pradesh, Kulath is used to make Khichdi. In Uttarakhand, it is cooked in a round iron saute pan ("kadhai") to prepare Ras, a favorite of most Kumaonis. In Gharwal region, another more elaborate dish is "phanu" which is made in a kadhai with roughly ground gahat (previously soaked overnight) boiled over several hours. Towards the end, some finely chopped greens (like palak or spinach, rai, tender radish leaves, or dhania (coriander leaves) if nothing else is available) are added to complete the dish. Served with boiled rice, jhangora (a millet-like grain, used as a staple by poorer Garhwalis only a decade ago and now a prized health-food) or just roti, phanu is a wholesome and nutritious meal. Phnau is somewhat heavy to digest; it's quite possible to go through the whole day without feeling in the least bit hungry, after having a big phanu meal in the morning. Similar Botanical name of horse gram/Gahat or Kulath/KULTHI IS Dolichos biflorus from the Leguminiaceae family.

Medicinal uses

Scientists from the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology have found that unprocessed raw horse gram seeds not only possess anti-hyperglycemic properties but also have qualities which reduce insulin resistance. The scientists made a comparative analysis between horse gram seeds and their sprouts and found that the seeds would have greater beneficial effects on the health of hyperglycemic individuals. The majority of anti-oxidant properties are confined to the seed coat and its removal would not do any good. Raw horse gram seed is rich in polyphenols, flavonoids and proteins, major anti-oxidants present in fruits and other food materials. The seed has the ability to reduce post-prandial hyperglycemia by slowing down carbohydrate digestion and reduce insulin resistance by inhibiting protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1 beta enzyme.[2]

External links

References

  1. ↑ Identification and quantification of phenolic acids in Macrotyloma uniflorum by reversed phase HPLC. Kawsar, S.M.A., E. Huq, N. Nahar and Y. Ozeki, Am. J. Plant Physiol., 3: 165-172, 2008, doi:10.3923/ajpp.2008.165.172
  2. ↑ http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/diet-and-nutrition/raw-horse-gram-good-for-diabetics/article4651090.ece

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