Identification of uncommon amino acids in the lentil seed (Lens culinaris Med.).

The fraction of the free basic amino acids in the lentil seed was shown to contain gamma-hydroxyarginine, gamma-hydroxyornithine and homoarginine besides the common amino acids. Similar distribution was found in 5 varieties of lentil, with hydroxyarginine and arginine dominating. The significance of these findings with regard to chemotaxonomy and lentil consumption is discussed.