Chemical and Nutrient Analysis of Baobab (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Adansonia digitata</Emphasis>) Fruit and Seed Protein Solubility

The baobab seed and pulp were analyzed for proximate composition, mineral content, and amino acid composition. The seed oil and protein were evaluated for their fatty acid profile and protein solubility. The seed was found to be a good source of energy, protein, and fat. Both the kernel and the pulp contain substantial quantities of calcium, potassium, and magnesium. Amino acid analyses revealed high glutamic and aspartic acid contents and the sulfur-containing amino acids as being the most limited amino acid. The fatty acid profile showed that oleic and linoleic were the major unsaturated fatty acids, whereas palmitic was the major saturated acid. Of the several solvents tested to solubilize the seed protein, 0.1 M NaOH was found to be the most effective. The protein was more soluble at alkaline than acidic pH, with the lowest solubility at pH 4.0.     

Relationship between amino acid scores and protein quality indices based on rat growth

Protein efficiency ratio (PER), relative PER (RPER), net protein ratio (NPR) and relative NPR (RNPR) values, and amino acid scores were calculated for 20 food products (casein, casein + Met, beef salami, skim milk, tuna, chicken frankfurters, sausage, heated skim milk, peanut butter, rolled oats, soy isolate, chick peas, pea concentrate, kidney beans, wheat cereal, pinto bean, lentils, rice-wheat gluten cereal, macaroni-cheese, and beef stew). In most cases, PER, RPER, NPR or RNPR ranked the products in the same order and positive correlations among the protein quality methods were highly significant (r=0.98–0.99). Amino acid scores (based on the first limiting amino acid, Lys-Met-Cys, Lys-Met-Cys-Trp or lys-Met-Cys-Trp-Thr) were positively correlated to the PER, RPER, NPR or RNPR data (r=0.61–0.75). Inclusion of the correction for true digestibility of protein improved the correlations between amino acid scores and the indices based on rat growth. The correlations were especially high between Lys-Met-Cys scores (corrected for true digestibility of protein) and PER, RPER, NPR or RNPR (r=0.86–0.91). Inclusion of the correction for true digestibility of individual amino acids did not result in further improvements of the correlations in most cases. It is concluded that adjusting amino acid scores for true digestibility of protein would be sufficient and further correction for digestibility of amino acids would be unnecessary in mixed diets.This paper was presented in part at the 71st annual FASAB meeting, Washington, DC, March 29–April 2, 1987.     

饲料用稻谷和糙米的营养特性

 对18个饲料用水稻样品的稻谷和糙米的常规营养成分、氨基酸组成和有效能值进行了分析和测定。稻谷和糙米含蛋白质分别为(8.85±1.23)%, (10.35±1.33)%,含总能分别为(15.83±0.28) MJ/kg, (15.95±0.20) MJ/kg, 含消化能10.28 MJ/kg 和 13.48 MJ/kg。稻谷的养分消化率明显低于糙米的相应值。主要是由于稻谷含粗纤维8.94%,而糙米的相应值为1.19%。稻谷和糙米分别含赖氨酸0.29%和0.44%,蛋氨酸0.10%和0.18%,苏氨酸0.26%和0.30%。用作猪饲料时,赖氨酸是第一限制性氨基酸,苏氨酸是第二限制性氨基酸,异亮氨酸是第三限制性氨基酸。     

The influence of milling on the nutritive value of flour from cereal grains. 6. Sorghum

Low-tannin sorghum was milled into flour with extraction rates between 100 and 64%. The nutritive value of the flours was studied by chemical analyses and in balance experiments with growing rats. The effects of amino acid supplementation was also examined. In general, the content of essential nutrients decreased when the extraction rate was lowered, but the content of fibre, tannins and phytate was also significantly reduced by milling. The digestibility of energy as well as protein was high, but the protein quality was poor, especially in flours of low extraction. Amino acid supplementation improved protein utilization and weight gain considerably. Femur zinc concentration was significantly depressed in the rats fed the amino acid supplemented diets, and sorghum seems to be a poor source of available zinc, in particular when it is highly refined. The poor zinc availability may be attributed to the high content of phytate.     

Digestibility of protein and amino acids in selected foods as determined by a rat balance method

Values (%) for true digestibility of crude protein and individual amino acids in 20 selected foods were determined by the rat balance (fecal) method. The products were fed as the sole source of protein in diets containing 8% crude protein (N × 6.25). Lowest true protein digestibility values (79–84) were obtained for pinto beans, kidney beans and lentils; intermediate values (89–92) were obtained for chick peas, beef stew, skim milk (over heated), rolled oats, whole wheat cereal, and pea protein concentrate; and highest values (94–100) were obtained for sausage, macaroni-cheese, rice-wheat gluten cereal, skim milk, tuna, soy isolate, peanut butter, chicken frankfurters, beef salami, casein and casein + methionine. In animal foods, peanut butter and soy isolate, the differences between true digestibility of crude protein and most individual amino acids were less than 5%. However, the values for true digestibility of methionine and cystine were up to 44% lower than those of crude protein in pinto beans, kidney beans, lentils, chick peas and pea concentrate. In these legumes, digestibility of crude protein was not a good predictor of digestibility of the limiting amino acids.     

Chemical composition and protein quality of buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench)

The chemical composition and protein quality of two varieties of buckwheat were measured and compared with the values of wheat. The protein quality was based on amino acid composition and true protein digestibility, biological value, net protein utilization, and utilizable protein obtained in N-balance experiments with rats. The protein content in buckwheat was approximately 12% and thus very much the same as in wheat. The fat content in buckwheat was close to 3% whereas the crude fiber concentration was very high (12.7 and 17.8%, respectively, for two varieties). The high fiber content caused a low concentration of soluble carbohydrates with the lowest value of 48.7%. Both buckwheat varieties had a high tannin content (1.76 and 1.54%, respectively). The protein quality was very high, with biological values above 90%. This can be explained by a high concentration of most essential amino acids, especially lysine, threonine, tryptophan, and the sulphur-containing amino acids. However, due to the high contents of crude fiber and tannin, the true protein digestibility was slightly below 80%.     

Comparative nutritive value of winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L) DC) and other legumes grown in Tanzania

Chemical analyses and feeding experiments using rats were conducted to evaluate the nutritive value of winged bean and other legumes (soyabean, green gram, bambarra nuts, pigeon peas, field beans, cow peas) sources grown in Tanzania. Proximate analyses showed that the composition of winged bean was similar to soyabean, while the composition of the other legumes differed considerably. This was also the case for antinutritional constituents and minerals. As to the amino acid composition, the lysine level was high with the highest value in winged bean (7.5 g/16 g N). However, the concentration of methionine and cystine was low which limits their protein quality. Another important amino acid, threonine, was generally high, especially in winged bean (4.3 g/16 g N). With exception of field bean, true protein digestibility was above 80%, soyabean having the highest value (90.7%). The biological value was also highest in soyabean (76.1%) followed by winged bean (69.9%). Utilizable protein was high in soyabean (28.8%) and somewhat lower in winged bean (23.4%). Energy digestibility was around 80%, soyabean having the highest value of 85.8%. The study findings support the idea that winged bean is a good alternative plant protein source in Tanzania.     

Studies on samh seeds (Mesembryanthemum forsskalei Hochst) growing in Saudi Arabia: 2: Chemical composition and microflora of samh seeds

The chemical composition of samh seed have been investigated. Proximate analysis showed a composition of 22.25% protein, 5.7% moisture, 5.6% fat, 4.0% ash, 9.7% crude fiber, and the remainder being total carbohydrates. Mineral element analysis revealed that potassium, magnesium, sodium and calcium were present as the major elements. Iron, manganese, zinc and copper were found at lower levels. However, lead was not detected in the samh seeds. Gas-liquid chromatographic analysis of the methylester of the fatty acids of the samh seeds oil revealed the presence of fourteen fatty acids. Linoleic and oleic acids were the principle unsaturated fatty acids. While palmitic acid was the main saturated fatty acid. Amino acid analysis of the samh seeds showed the presence of seventeen amino acids including eight essential amino acids. Glutamic acid, arginine, and aspartic acid were the major amino acids. Cystine and proline were present in trace amounts. These results some of which have not been reported elsewhere indicate the high nutritional potential of Saudi samh seeds. The total aerobic bacterial count and total sporeformers of seeds were 19×10⁷ and 5×10⁴ cfu/g respectively, thus the enterobacteriaceae,B cereus and yeast and molds were 5×10², 1×10² and 7×10² respectively. The seeds were Staph. free and the samh extract had no antimicrobial effect.     

Sodium fertilizer application to pasture. 5. Effects on herbage digestibility and mineral availability in sheep

The effects of feeding herbages fertilized with 0 (nil), 32 (low), 66 (medium) or 96 (high) kg of sodium per hectare per year to sheep on herbage digestibility and mineral availability were examined. Modified acid detergent fibre (MADF), ash, magnesium (Mg) and phosphorus (P) contents were increased by the application of sodium (Na) treatments, while potassium (K), sulphur (S) and true protein (TP) contents were reduced. Dry matter (DM) and MADF intakes were increased in the low and medium treatments and DM and MADF digestibility increased in all Na-treated herbages. The medium- and high-sodium treatments increased salivary Na content and Na/K ratio and decreased K content. Blood K content was not affected by treatment. Intake, faecal output, apparent availability, urinary output and balance of Na were increased by the application of Na treatments. Potassium intake, balance, apparent retention and urinary output were increased by the low, unaffected by the medium and reduced by the high sodium treatment. The low and medium Na treatments increased the intake and apparent availability of Mg; Mg balance and apparent retention were increased by all Na treatments. Feeding the Na-treated herbages increased intakes, apparent availability, balance and apparent retention of Ca, P and total cations.
The low and medium Na treatments increased S intake, faecal output and apparent retention. It is suggested that through increasing the balance and apparent retention of minerals, the application of sodium fertilizer to pasture will improve the mineral status of sheep, particularly at the low and medium application rates employed in this experiment.     

Chemical composition of the edible leaves ofPterocarpus mildbraedii

Proximate composition, mineral element content, amino acid profile and the levels of some antinutrients in the edible leaves ofPterocarpus mildbraedii were determined. Moisture content was assayed as 85.12 percent (wet weight). Protein, fat, ash and fibre contents of the leaf (percent dry weight) were 25.84, 5.23, 6.44 and 7.56 respectively. Mineral element analysis showed high levels of calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, copper, manganese and zinc. However, the level of sodium in the vegetable was low. Amino acid profile indicated that the leaf is rich in essential amino acids. The antinutrient levels of hydrogen cyanide and oxalate were low. The paper suggests the need to meet nutrient requirements through an increased use of this cheap but less popular food item with good nutritive potential.     

Nutritional improvement of lentils,chick pea,rice and wheat by natural fermentation

Effect of natural fermentation process (4 days) on the non-protein nitrogen, crude and true protein, amino acids content and in vitro digestibility of two kinds of legumes (lentils and chick pea) and two kinds of cereals (rice and wheat) was investigated. Non-protein nitrogen increased significantly (p<0.001) in the fermented products. Little increase has occured in the crude protein while no significant change was observed in the fermented true protein samples. It was observed that methionine and cystine which are considered the limiting amino acids in legume seeds were close to those of FAO/WHO patterns. Also, lysine content (the first limiting amino acid in cereals was higher in fermented rice than that of FAO/WHO pattern. Moreover, fermentation process improved significantly, the in vitro digestibility of both legume and cereal products.     

Analysis of nutritional components of eight famine foods of the Republic of Niger

In the western Sahel, indigenous plants become important staples when cereal harvests are inadequate to support populations inhabiting that region of Africa. The purpose of this study was to assess the nutrient content of several of these edible wild plants. The leaves of the following seven plant foods were analyzed: Ziziphus mauritiana, Cerathotheca sesamoides, Moringa oleifera, Leptadenia hastata, Hibiscus sabdarifa, Amaranthus viridi, and Adansonia digitata. The fatty acid, vitamin E, carotenoid, selected mineral and amino acid contents of these plant foods were determined. These same analyses were performed on the fruit of the Adansonia digitata. In quantitative and qualitative terms, Amaranthus viridis was found to be an excellent source of protein. Its amino acid composition compared favorably to that of a World Health Organization (WHO) protein standard. It also contained considerable amounts of the two fatty acids that are essential in humans (linoleic and -linolenic) and a number of minerals including iron, magnesium, calcium and zinc. The leaves of Hibiscus sabdarifa contained an appreciable quantity of protein the composition of which was comparable to the WHO standard. The mineral content of the leaves of this plant was also exceptionally high; noteworthy was its high zinc content. H. sabdarifa also contained significant quantities of the two essential fatty acids. Ziziphus mauritiana was an excellent source of the essential fatty acid linoleic acid and several of the metals including iron, calcium, magnesium and zinc. Its content of other essential nutrients, however, was rather low. In general, Adansonia digitata leaves were nutritionally superior to the fruit of the tree; however, the fruit did contain useful quantities of potassium, phosphorus, zinc and -linolenic acid. The Leptadenia hastata leaves were an especially good source of lutein and -carotene. These data should be useful to the people who inhabit the western Sahel in helping them devise healthy diets during times when cereal staples are in short supply.     

Chemical analysis and nutritional assessment of Teramnus labialis (L.) Spreng. (Fabaceae)

Seeds of Teramnus labialis (L.) Spreng.(Fabaceae), used as food by Malayali tribals in theKollihills of Salem District, Tamil Nadu in SouthIndia, were investigated for their nutritional value. These seeds were analyzed for proximate composition,total (true) seed proteins, seed proteinfractions, amino acid composition, fatty acidcomposition, minerals and antinutritional factors. Crude protein, crude fat, ash, and nitrogen freeextracts constituted 22.86%, 6.10%, 4.62%, and,58.15%, respectively, of the seed weight. The caloricvalue of 100 g dry matter of seed material was 378.94kcal. The essential amino acids lysine, leucine +isoleucine, arginine, valine and histidine werepresent in relatively large quantities. Theunsaturated fatty acids constituted more than 60% ofthe crude fat. Concentrations of minerals such aspotassium, magnesium, calcium, and, phosphorus werehigh. Antinutritional factors such as total freephenols, tannins, L-DOPA, hydrogen cyanide andphytic acid were present in minute quantities. Theseantinutritional factors are potentially eliminated using the conventional method of soaking the seeds in water,boiling with water and decanting prior to consumption.     

Chemical and nutritional evaluation of two germplasms of the tribal pulse,Bauhinia racemosa Lamk.

Two germplasms of the tribal pulse,Bauhinia racemosa Lamk. viz., Ayyanarkoil Forest and Mundanthurai Wildlife Sanctuary, were analysed for proximate composition, total (true) seed proteins, seed protein fractions, amino acid composition, fatty acids, minerals and antinutritional factors. Crude proteins, crude lipids, ash and nitrogen free extractives constituted 19.84%, 9.52%, 3.31% and 60.65%, respectively in Ayyanarkoil Forest germplasm; whereas, in Mundanthurai Wildlife Sanctuary germplasm they constituted 19.31%, 8.94%, 3.81% and 61.30%, respectively. The caloric values were found to be 407.64 K Cal (Ayyanarkoil Forest) and 402.90 K Cal (Mundanthurai Wildlife Sanctuary) germplasms. Essential amino acids like isoleucine, tyrosine, phenylalanine and lysine were found to be high in the seed proteins of both the germplasms. The fatty acids, palmitic, oleic and linoleic acids, were found to be relatively higher in the seed lipids of both the germplasms. Both the germplasms seemed to be a rich source of calcium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, manganese and iron. Antinutritional substances like total free phenols, tannins, L-DOPA and phytohaemagglutinating activity also were investigated.     

Chemical analysis and nutritional assessment of the less known pulses,Vigna aconitifolia (Jacq.) Marechal andVigna vexillata (L.) A. Rich.

The seeds ofVigna aconitifolia andVigna vexillata were analysed for proximate composition, minerals, seed protein fractions, amino acids, fatty acids, and antinutritional factors. Both the pulses were found to be rich sources of proteins and minerals like Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, and Mn.Vigna aconitifolia seeds exhibited fairly high levels of crude lipid. The most limiting essential amino acids in both the pulses were the sulphur-amino acids, cystine, and methionine. Threonine inV. aconitifolia and phenylalanine and tyrosine inV. vexillata occurred in higher quantities when compared with WHO/FAO requirement pattern. Oleic acid and palmitic acid inV. aconitifolia and linoleic acid and palmitic acid inV. vexillata lipids were found to be the predominant fatty acids. The tannin content of both the pulses was negligible compared with the domesticated legumes. The other antinutritional factors like total free phenols, L-DOPA and haemagglutinating activity were also analysed/assayed.     

基于氨基酸分析的薏苡饲用价值评价

为了明确薏苡饲用部位的氨基酸营养情况,以9个薏苡(Coix lacryma-jobi)资源的饲用部位为研究对象,测定其根、茎和叶的营养成分和氨基酸含量,并进行评价分析。结果表明:薏苡的根、茎、叶中均含有7种必需氨基酸和10种非必需氨基酸,各部位间氨基酸含量差异显著,总体趋势为叶根茎,其中台湾红衣薏苡叶的氨基酸含量显著高于其他供试资源。薏苡饲用部位功能性氨基酸特别是药用氨基酸含量丰富,占总氨基酸含量的59.34%~69.27%。通过氨基酸评分明确了(蛋氨酸+胱氨酸)是薏苡饲用资源的第一限制氨基酸,并通过分部位聚类筛选出2份氨基酸含量高的薏苡叶资源(台湾红衣薏苡和北峰野生薏苡),为薏苡饲用提供数据参考。     

Nutritional and antinutritional components of Canavalia spp. seeds from the west coast sand dunes of India

Seeds of two coastal sand dune wild legumes, Canavalia cathartica and Canavalia maritima from the west coast of India were analyzed for their nutritional and antinutritional properties. The seeds contained 35.5 and 34.1% crude protein, 52.8 and 50.5% crude carbohydrates, 1.3 and 1.7% crude lipids and 3.1 and 3.5% ash content, respectively. Among the minerals, potassium was the highest followed by phosphorus. Globulins and albumins constituted the major seed proteins of both plants. Most of the essential amino acids were at adequate levels. Although the crude lipids were below 2%, the unsaturated fatty acids were high. Seeds did not contain tannins and trypsin inhibitors. The levels of total phenolics were low, but showed high hemagglutination activity. The nutritional properties of these seeds have been compared with other Canavalia spp. and wild unconventional or tribal legumes. Overall, the study results suggest that the seeds of C. cathartica and C. maritima possess potential nutritive value particularly higher protein, essential amino acids and low levels of antinutritional factors. These wild legumes are adapted to low nutrient, high saline and drought conditions of the coastal sand dunes; their conservation and domestication are warranted as potential alternative sources of protein.     

Protein quality and digestible energy of selected foods determined in balance trials with rats

Chemical analyses and balance trials with rats of 17 foods showed marked differences in protein quality. According to anin vitro procedure true protein digestibility was high (around 90%). The same was also the case for thein vivo values with the exception of two legumes, beans and chick peas, which were digested to a markedly lower degree when compared to thein vitro values. The assumed reason for this is discussed. Due to extensive differences in the amino acid composition of the 17 samples BV varied considerably with the lowest value (45.5) of rice-wheat gluten breakfast cereal. Energy digestibility was generally high. Amino acid digestibility determinedin vivo followed the pattern of the corresponding protein digestibility, although marked differences occurred from one amino acid to another in the same food.     

Changes in some nutrients of fenugreek (Trigonella Foenum graecum L.) seeds during water boiling

Fenugreek seeds were boiled in water for various lengths of time (5, 10 and 15 min). Changes in weight, volume, moisture content, total sugars, nitrogen compounds, minerals, phosphorus compounds, phytic acid, amino acids and the in vitro digestibility of the seeds as well as the total solids of the boiling water were determined. Data indicated that there was an increase in both weightand volume as well as the in vitro digetibility of fenugreek seeds especially after the first 5 minutes of boiling. On the other hand, a decrease in the content of total sugars, protein compounds, calcium, magnesium, phytic acid, phosphorus and amino acids was observed. The reduction was accompanied by a gradual increase in the total solids of boiling water.     

Extruded Flaxseed Meal Enhances the Nutritional Quality of Cereal-based Products

Human consumption of flaxseed is increasing due to its health benefit properties and extrusion processes can enhance its nutritional quality. Extruded flaxseed meal (EFM) obtained in a pilot plant was characterized and incorporated in flour mixes and cereal-based bars to demonstrate its nutritious usefulness. Amino acid content was not affected by extrusion and, despite lysine was the limitating amino acid, the chemical score (CS) was 83 %. Thiamin and riboflavin decreased slightly as consequence of extrusion, phytic acid did not change and trypsin inhibitor activity was undetectable. Proximate composition and nutritional quality determined by biological and chemical indexes were compared among EFM, flour mixes (FM) and cereal bars (CB). They presented high protein levels (26, 20 and 17 %, respectively), good biological value (BV) (80, 79 and 65, respectively), acceptable true protein digestibility (TD) (73, 79 and 78, respectively), and high dietary fiber (33, 20.5 and 18 %, respectively). The ratio of ω6:ω3 for CB was within the WHO/FAO recommendations. These results open a new venue for the usefulsess of nutritious/healthy extruded flaxseed flours into ready-to-eat cereal-based products with improved nutritional quality.