The aim of the present study was to analyze and qua ntify the presence of nutritional compounds like so luble proteins, carbohydrates and antinutritional compoun ds such as lectins, protease inhibitors, polyphenol s and tannins in the seeds of Artocarpus heterophyllus (jack fruit), Canavalia ensiformis ( jack bean), Lens culinaris (lentil) and Pisum sativum (pea) . Of the four plant species, the soluble protein co ntent was high in the seeds of pea and least in jack bean thus indicating their positive nutritiona l role in the diet. High content of lectins was det ected in all the four seed extracts showing their potent biotechnolo gical applications. The seed extracts were tested f or proteolytic and protease inhibitor activity to determine the en zymatic characteristics. Jackfruit showed comparat ively high proteolytic activity indicating the probable role o f plant proteases in defence responses that are tri ggered by pathogens or pests.The comparative studies on tryps in inhibition in the four seed extracts revealed no significant inhibitory activity, indicating their non toxic nat ure and possible use in nutrition. The above result s suggested that seeds of these plant species have nutritive value a s they are sources of valuable proteins and carbohy drates and besides they also contain a many bioactive compound s that cannot be considered as nutrients but exert physiological effects on humans.