AbstractThe aim of this work was to investigate the effect of germination on the concentrations of some antinutritional factors in Lupinus albus and L luteus seeds. The seeds were germinated for 24, 48, 72 and 96 h. The alkaloid, phytic acid and α‐galactoside changes were monitored by capillary gas chromatography and HPLC techniques. The rate of seed germination for both lupin species was lower in total darkness than when 8 h of light was supplied. The total alkaloid level was not significantly altered by 96 h germination of the seeds. Albine, α‐isolupanine, lupanine, multiflorine and 13‐OH‐lupanine were identified in L albus whereas lupinine, sparteine and lupanine were identified in L luteus. α‐galactoside levels were drastically reduced during germination of lupin seeds and stachyose was the predominant sugar in both species. The major inositol phosphate (IP6) appeared to be degraded to lower inositol phosphates during lupin seed germination. It is concluded that germination is a useful process to improve the nutritional value of lupin seeds.