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Commercially important edible nut seeds were analyzed for chemical composition and moisture sorption. Moisture (1.47-9.51%), protein (7.50-21.56%), lipid (42.88-66.71%), ash (1.16-3.28%), total soluble sugars (0.55-3.96%), tannins (0.01-0.88%), and phytate (0.15-0.35%) contents varied considerably. Regardless of the seed type, lipids were mainly composed of mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids (>75% of the total lipids). Fatty acid composition analysis indicated that oleic acid (C18:1) was the main constituent of monounsaturated lipids in all seed samples. With the exception of macadamia, linoleic acid (C18:2) was the major polyunsaturated fatty acid. In the case of walnuts, in addition to linoleic acid (59.79%) linolenic acid (C18:3) also significantly contributed toward the total polyunsaturated lipids. Amino acid composition analyses indicated lysine (Brazil nut, cashew nut, hazelnut, pine nut, and walnut), sulfur amino acids methionine and cysteine (almond), tryptophan (macadamia, pecan), and threonine (peanut) to be the first limiting amino acid as compared to human (2-5 year old) amino acid requirements. The amino acid composition of the seeds was characterized by the dominance of hydrophobic (range = 37.16-44.54%) and acidic (27.95-33.17%) amino acids followed by basic (16.16-21.17%) and hydrophilic (8.48-11.74%) amino acids. Trypsin inhibitory activity, hemagglutinating activity, and proteolytic activity were not detected in the nut seed samples analyzed. Sorption isotherms (Aw range = 0.08-0.97) indicated a narrow range for monolayer water content (11-29 mg/g of dry matter). No visible mold growth was evident on any of the samples stored at Aw < 0.53 and 25 degrees C for 6 months.

Functional and electronhoretic properties of the seed flour and a protein concentrate prepared by alkaline extraction from lupin seeds CLuDinus mutabilis. cultivar H-6) were investigated. SDS-PAGE :-: mdrcated presence of 13 and 12 subunits in the seed flour proteins and the protein concentrate, respectively. Lupin protein concentrate had good water and oil absorption and gelation properties. Solubility of lupin proteins was minimum at a pH of 4.0 but increased rapidly beyond pH 5.0. Foaming capacity of the protein concentrate could be improved by increasing concentration as well as by adding NaCl and was influenced by pH and incorporation of certain carbohydrates. Emulsion properties of lupin proteins were concentration and pH dependent. Moist heat improved the in vitro digestibility of the seed proteins. The seed flour as well as the protein concentrate did not have detectable trypsin, chymotrypsin, and ol-amylase inhibitory activities.

Functional properties of the Great Northern bean (Phaseolus vulguris L.) flour, albumins, globulins, protein concentrates, and protein isolates were investigated. Protein concentrates had the highest water and oil absorption capacity (5.93 and 4.12 g/g, respectively) among all the samples studied. Protein concentrates registered the highest emulsion capacity (72.60 oil emulsified/g) while albumins had the highest emulsion stability (less than 5 ml separation of phase in 780 hr at room temperature of 21°C). Foaming ability of the Great Northern bean proteins was fair. Foamability of the proteins was concentration dependent.

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