Nutrient composition and biological evaluation of mesta (Hibiscus sabdariffa) seeds

Two varieties of mesta (Hibiscus sabdariffa) seeds were analysed for their proximate composition. Their protein (18.8–22.3%), fat (19.1–22.8%) and dietary fiber (39.5–42.6%) contents were found to be high. The seeds were found to be a good source of minerals like phosphorus, magnesium and calcium. Their lysine and tryptophan contents were also high. Sulphur containing amino acids were limiting in this seed protein and the chemical score of mesta seed protein was 40 and 57 for AMV-2 and Bhimili-1 varieties respectively. Mesta seed oil is rich in unsaturated fatty acids (70%), of which linoleic acid constituted 44%. Weanling rats were fed with 10% mesta seed protein before and after cooking for 4 weeks. Food intake of animals receiving raw mesta seed diets was significantly lower than those receiving cooked mesta seed diets as well as the casein control diet. Protein and dry matter digestibilities of raw and cooked mesta seed diets were lower than that of casein control diet. Cooking improved the food intake, gain in body weight, dry matter and protein digestibility of mesta seed diets. PER and NPU of cooked mesta seed diets were significantly higher than the corresponding raw diets. These results indicate that cooked mesta seed protein is of relatively good quality.     

Nutritional and chemical evaluation of raw seeds ofCanavalia gladiata (Jacq) DC. and C.ensiformis DC: The under utilized food and fodder crops in India

In India, the seeds ofCanavalia gladiata andC. ensiformis have traditionally been eaten by the aborigines, but they are less popular among the civilized people. The data on the chemical composition and nutritional quality of these seeds are not readily available. The proximate composition, mineral composition, the contents of total (true) proteins, seed protein fractions, profile of seed protein amino acids and certain antinutritional factors were analysed and reported in the present study. The seeds ofC. ensiformis contain more crude protein, crude lipid and minerals like Na, K, Ca, Mg, P, Fe and Mn than doesC. gladiata. Both albumins and globulins together constitute the major bulk of seed proteins. In both the species ofCanavalia investigated, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, isoleucine+leucine, tyrosine+phenylalanine and lysine are the major amino acids of seed proteins. The presence of certain antinutritional factors (total free phenols, tannins, lectins, L-DOPA, trypsin inhibitor activity) is also reported for both species ofCanavalia.     

Chemical composition and nutritional quality ofCleome dolichostyla seeds

Seeds ofCleome dolichostyla were analysed for proximate composition, mineral element contents and amino acid composition, in-vitro protein digestibility (IVPD) and calculated protein efficiency ratio (C-PER). The seeds (dry basis) were rich in oil (32.1%), protein (24.6%) and fiber (17.8%) content. The contents of various mineral elements mg/100 g) were: Ca=1970, P=493, Mg=127, Na=35, K=465, Fe=71.97, Zn=2.25, Cu=0.44 and Mn=1.45. Aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glycine, arginine and histidine were the major amino acids inC. dolichostyla seed protein accounting for half of the total amino acids. Lysine was the most limiting essential amino acid (FAO/WHO, 1973 reference pattern) with a chemical score of 45 for the protein. The IVPD of cleome seed protein was 72.2% and C-PER was 1.08 relative to the IVPD and C-PER values of 90.0% and 2.50 for the Animal Nutrition Research Council casein.     

Nutritional value and content of antinutritional compounds and toxics in ten wild legumes of Yucatan Peninsula

The chemical and toxicological composition of ten wild legumes collected in Yucatan, Mexico was determined. For each species the whole fruit, (seed and pod), were studied as well as the seed and pod separately. A higher protein content was found in the seeds ofA. lebbeck andP. saman (37.07 and 37.60% respectively). In the seeds ofL. longystilus, C. yucatanensis andP. keyense a high concentration of fat was found, especially in the first with 31.34%. A high quantity of fiber was found in the pods. In general, the samples were rich in lysine (especially seeds) and scant in sulfur amino acids and tryptophan. All the samples showed high concentration of potassium and calcium. Some of them exhibited significant concentrations of iron. The pods ofP. saman and P. keyense showed a high content of lectins. In the seeds ofC. yucatanensis and in the pod ofP. keyense high concentrations of trypsin inhibitors were found 60 and 406.7 TUI/mg sample respectively. The presence of saponins, was detected in seven samples, of which the seed ofP. keyense had the highest concentration. Alkaloids were found only in the whole fruit and pod ofP. saman and cyanogenic glucosides were present inA. pennatula. In general terms, the whole legume showed better digestibility than the pods alone.     

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.     

Nutritional quality of the protein in quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa,Willd) seeds

The nutritional quality of protein in quinoa seeds has been determined by amino acid assay and by animal feeding experiments. The amino acid composition of the protein in raw quinoa and washed quinoa show similar pattern. The first limiting amino acids were the aromatic amino acids thyrosine + phenylalanine giving a chemical score of 86 for protein in raw quinoa and 85 for protein in washed quinoa. Threonine was the next limiting amino acid followed by lysine. The amount of lysine and sulfur amino acids (methionine + cystine) was relatively high. In general, the content of essential amino acids in quinoa is higher than in common cereals. The animal experiments showed NPU values of 75.7, BV of 82.6 and TD value of 91.7 for the protein in raw quinoa. Results of the in-vitro enzymatic methods showed that the digestibility of the protein in quinoa is comparable to that of other high quality food proteins. The corresponding experiments carried out with samples of guinoa seeds, which have been processed to remove the saponins, showed that, the saponins do not exert any negative effect on the nutritive quality of the protein.     

转AAP1基因玉米游离氨基酸与可溶性蛋白质含量变化关系的研究

氨基酸通透酶1(AAP1)是位于细胞膜上与氨基酸转运有关的载体蛋白。以转组成型启动子(UBI)的AAP1玉米植株(N7-30、N7-26)、转胚乳特异性启动子(Glu)的AAP1玉米植株(KF8-33、KF8-39、KF9-22)为材料,探究转AAP1基因玉米中游离氨基酸和可溶性蛋白质含量之间的变化关系。结果表明,转AAP1基因玉米的根部和叶片中游离氨基酸含量在抽丝期最高;根部可溶性蛋白质含量在成熟期最高;叶片中可溶性蛋白质含量在抽丝期最高。叶片中游离氨基酸含量与可溶性蛋白质含量随着生育期的变化均呈现低-高-低的趋势,抽丝期达到最高值;种子中游离氨基酸的含量与可溶性蛋白质含量呈显著正相关性。转胚乳特异性启动子玉米种子中游离氨基酸含量、脯氨酸含量、赖氨酸含量均显著高于转组成型启动子玉米种子。AAP1可以提高植物对游离氨基酸的吸收与转运,进而提高植物对氮素的利用效率。     

Chemical composition, digestibility and antinutritional factors content of two wild legumes: Styphonolobium burseroides and Acacia bilimekii

The chemical composition, digestibility and toxin contents of two wild legumes: Styphnolobium burseroides and Acacia bilimekii, collected in a semi-arid zone of Mexico, were determined. Both legumes had a high fiber content. The seeds of Styphnolobium burseroides had a low protein content (14%), and the pod a high content of reducing sugars. However the seeds of Acacia bilimekii had a high protein concentration (35%). The seed proteins were low in sulphur amino acids and tryptophan in both legumes but were rich in lysine. Trypsin inhibitors and lectins were present in low concentrations; alkaloids and cyanogenic glucosides were not detected. The in vitro digestibility for monogastric animals was low but the same test with ruminal juice showed a high digestibility for both legumes. Based on their chemical composition and digestibility, these legumes could be a good alternative source in the feeding of ruminants.     

Protein quality and antinutritional factors in wild and cultivated species ofVigna spp

The nutritional quality of wild and cultivated species ofVigna has been evaluated. Wild species showed significantly higher protein content (P<0.01), antitryptic activity (P<0.005) and tannin content (P<0.025) and significantly lower protein digestibility (P<0.005). No significant differences were found with regard to protein quality, measured as chemical score corrected by the digestibility; sulphur amino acids turned out to be limiting in both groups. In addition no correlations were found between sulphur amino acids and protein levels, or between sulphur amino acid and trypsin inhibitor levels.Selected lines showed an improvement from the nutritional point of view linked to lower antitryptic factors and tannin content, which may give rise to a decreased resistance to pests. For all the properties considered, whether physical or biochemical, wild samples presented wider variations and the types considered most primitive were those that differed most from the cultivated ones, whose properties were altogether more consistent. In vitro protein digestibility turned out to be a useful parameter in evaluating wild and improved samples.IITA (International Institute of Tropical Agriculture) fellowship recipients.     

Nutritional and Antinutritional Characteristics of Seven South Indian Wild Legumes

Seeds from seven species of wild legumes of the South India were analyzed for proximate composition, mineral profiles, amino acid profiles of total seed protein, in vitro protein digestibility, and certain antinutritional factors to assess their potential as alternative sources of protein crops. The major findings of the study were as follows: crude protein ranged from 20.3 to 35.0%, crude lipid 3.1–9.6%, crude fiber 5.9–12.1%, ash 2.7–5.1%, and carbohydrates 49.2–61.8%. Minerals viz., sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, copper, zinc, and manganese occurred in the range 42.9–135.9, 556.2–1639.5, 304.5–572.2, 174.9–686.7, 98.4–947.8, 3.6–16.4, 0.2–1.2, 2.0–30.0, and 1.0–3.9 mg/100 g seed flour, respectively. Profiles of amino acids of total seed proteins detected in the present study revealed that levels of valine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, isoleucine, and histidine of all the seven wild legume seed samples, threonine of Canavalia ensiformis and C. gladiata, leucine of Mucuna pruriens var. pruriens, and lysine of Cassia floribunda and C. obtusifolia were found to be higher than FAO/WHO (1991) requirement pattern. The in vitro protein digestibility of the legumes under study ranged from 63.39 to 83.32%. Antinutritional factors such as total free phenolics ranged from 0.41 to 5.96%, tannins from 0.04 to 0.60%, L-DOPA from 1.34 to 8.37% and trypsin inhibitor activity from 13.48 to 65.43 TIU/mg protein. The detected antinutritional factors probably have little nutritional significance if the seeds are properly processed.     

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.     

The nutritional quality and toxin content of wild and cultivated lima beans (Phaseolus lunatus)

Proximal analysis, amino acid profile, trypsin inhibitor content, hemagglutinin content and HCN generated from cyanogenic glucosides were determined in four wild and three cultivated varieties ofPhaseolus lunatus. All the wild beans showed a higher protein content than the cultivated beans, but no big differences were found in the other nutrients. The essential amino acid percentage was higher in the cultivated beans than in the wild seeds, which was reflected in the PER determination. The most remarkable difference found between wild and cultivated beans was the high concentration of HCN in all wild varieties. The high concentration of protein found in the wild seed could be a false result from the nitrogen provided by the cyanogenic glucosides.     

Lipid composition of lesser known tropical seeds

The lipid content and fatty acid profiles of four lesser known tropical seeds,Piper guineense, Chrysophyllum albidum, Garcinia kola andDennettia tripetala, were determined. The total lipid content (g/kg dry weight) ranged between 31.8 and 68.9. The ranges of values for neutral lipids, triacylglycerol of neutral lipids, glycolipids and phospholipids were 17.3–58.0, 15.0–49.6, 3.0–7.2 and 3.7–11.2, respectively. The fatty acid profiles showed variation among different seeds. All the seeds contained substantial amounts of unsaturated fatty acids. Oleic and linoleic acids were the most abundant fatty acids.Dennettia tripetala andPiper guineense also contained moderate amounts of linolenic acid.     

Protein Digestibility using Corrected Amino Acid Score method (PDCAAS) of four types of mushrooms grown in Jordan

This study was conducted to evaluate the protein quality of four types ofedible mushrooms common in Jordan in terms of protein digestibility –corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS), which is a combination of thechemical score of the limiting amino acid multiplied by true digestibility ofthe protein. True protein digestibility values were low (61.4, 73.4, 52.6and 80.5 for Terfezia claveryi, Pleurotus ostreatus, Tricholoma terrum and Agaricus macrosporus, respectively). Based onthe essential amino acids pattern requirements for children, the limitingamino acids in P. ostreatus and A. macrosporus protein weresulphur-containing amino acids with chemical scores of 0.61 and 0.50,respectively. However, lysine was the limiting amino acid in the protein ofT. claveryi and T. terreum with chemical scores of 0.71 and 0.67,respectively, and the PDCAAS was 0.43, 0.45, 0.35 and 0.40 for themushrooms types, respectively. Considering the pattern of essential amino acid requirements of laboratory rats, thesulphur containing amino acids were the limiting amino acids in the proteinof T. claveryi, P. ostreatus, T. terreum and A.macrosporus with chemical scores of 0.56, 0.30, 0.34 and 0.25,respectively. The PDCAAS were 0.34, 0.22, 0.17 and 0.20,respectively. It is concluded that the four mushroom types studied are of lowprotein quality.     

Chemical composition and nutritional potential of the tribal pulse (Bauhinia malabarica Roxb)

Proximate and mineral composition, seed protein fractions, amino acid composition, fatty acid profiles and antinutritional factors were analysed for the seeds of the tribal pulse,Bauhinia malabarica. The seeds contained higher amount of crude lipid when compared with most of the domesticated pulses. The seeds were rich in minerals like Ca, Mg and Fe. Glutelins (45%) constituted the major seed protein fraction followed by globulins which accounted for about 34%. Cystine and methionine were found to be the limiting essential amino acids; whereas tyrosine and phenylalanine content were fairly high when compared with WHO requirement pattern. The unsaturated fatty acids, oleic acid and linoleic acid, were predominant in seed lipids. Presence of antinutritional substances like total free phenols, tannins, L-DOPA and haemagglutinating activity also were analysed/assayed.     

Protein content and amino acid profile of some wild leguminous seeds

Seeds of 28 wild growing legumes of India were analysed for their protein content and amino acid compositions. A wide variation was observed in protein contents (18.3 to 50.9%). The amino acid composition and protein content of some of these seeds were in close proximity to that of soybean; however, some legumes registered a higher level of certain amino acids and protein as compared to the latter.     

Nutritional properties of nonrice crops in the Asian Rice Farming Systems Network

Six legume crops and three cereal crops in the Asian Rice Farming Systems Network were compared with IR58 brown rice in terms of dry matter, energy and protein yields per hectare. Sorghum was closest to brown rice in dry matter and energy yield but soybean had the highest protein yield. Peanut and soybean had higher crude fat than the other crops which accounted for their high energy content and yield among the legumes. Amino acid analysis showed cowpea, mungbean, pigeonpea, bushsitao, and soybean protein as limiting in sulfur amino acids (cysteine + methionine). Peanut protein was limiting in either lysine or tryptophan + threonine. Corn, sorghum and wheat proteins were limiting in lysine.     

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.     

辣木氨基酸分析与营养评价研究

分析测定了辣木嫩叶、成熟叶、老叶、种子及花中的氨基酸含量,通过必需氨基酸组成、氨基酸评分、必需氨基酸指数、氨基酸比值系数及氨基酸比值系数分等5个指标对构成辣木蛋白质的氨基酸进行评价。结果表明:Glu、Asp、Lys、Leu和Arg等含量丰富,尤其是种子中的精氨酸含量分别比花生、大豆中高22.48%、40.73%。辣木嫩叶、成熟叶的氨基酸总含量及必需氨基酸含量分别极显著(p0.01)、显著(p0.05)高于老叶、种子及花,且均高于花生。辣木嫩叶、成熟叶、老叶、花在必需氨基酸含量占氨基酸总含量的比例上高于花生,且高于大豆。辣木叶、花的必需氨基酸组成中有5个项目分别高于花生、大豆、FAO/WHO模式、美国模式,辣木叶的必需氨基酸组成中有4个项目还高于鸡蛋模式。辣木叶、花中的第一限制氨基酸为Met+Cys,种子中为Lys。辣木嫩叶、成熟叶中必需氨基酸的数量充足、比例适宜,必需氨基酸组成比花生、大豆与鸡蛋中的必需氨基酸组成具有更高的拟合程度。     

大豆GmAAP 基因的克隆、生物信息学分析及亚细胞定位

本研究以大豆Williams 82为实验材料，采用RT-PCR技术克隆到了GmAAP 基因，其开放阅读框长度为1440 bp，编码479个氨基酸。生物信息学分析表明，GmAAP蛋白分子量为53.286 kD，理论等电点为8.93，不稳定指数为34.04，属于稳定的蛋白结构；其二级结构中α-螺旋、β-折叠、β-转角、无规卷曲分别占据47.18%、15.66%、2.71%、34.45%；跨膜区与疏水性分析显示其含有10个跨膜区，且构成跨膜区的氨基酸多为疏水性氨基酸；GmAAP与野生大豆AAP6亲缘关系最为相近，且序列比对的一致性为100%，可能为大豆AAP6 基因。构建融合表达载体，利用PEG-Ca2+介导法转化拟南芥原生质体进行亚细胞定位分析，结果显示GmAAP定位在质膜上。AAP能提高豆科植物对外源氮的吸收与利用率，进而增加种子内贮藏蛋白含量，提升大豆品质。本研究的结果可为GmAAP 功能 的进一步研究奠定基础，同时也为氮素的高效利用提供候选基因。