Amino acid composition of two masticatory nuts (Cola acuminataandGarcinia kola) and a snack nut (Anacardium occidentale)

Abstract

The amino acid compositions of Cola acuminata, Garcinia kola and Anacardium occidentale were evaluated by ion-exchange chromatography. Glutamic acid was the most concentrated acid in the samples. In all the amino acids determined, A. occidentale had the most concentrated acid on a pairwise basis. The total amino acids were 356.24 mg/g protein, 112.90 mg/g protein and 659.17 mg/g protein for C. acuminata, G. kola and A. occidentale, respectively. The percentage total essential amino acids were 38.39% (C. acuminata), 47.05% (G. kola) and 51.04% (A. occidentale). Also the percentage total acidic amino acids were 38.16% (C. acuminata), 30.61% (G. kola) and 30.35% (A. occidentale). The calculated isoelectric points were 2.0 (C. acuminata), 0.7 (G. kola) and 3.9 (A. occidentale), showing they can all be precipitated at acidic pH. While threonine was the limiting amino acid in A. occidentale, it was valine in both C. acuminata and G. kola. The percentage cystine (Cys) levels in the total sulphur amino acid were 44.27% (C. acuminata), 37.75% (G. kola) and 50.51% (A. occidentale). The aim of this work was to compare the amino acid profile of the samples. It is recommended that C. acuminata and G. kola consumption be avoided by ulcer patients because of their high levels of acidic amino acids. A. occidentale amino acid scores ranged from 42% to 127%, suggesting that it could be used to enhance the protein quality of cereals through food complementation.

Comparative Evaluation of the Amino Acid Profile of the Brain and Eyes of Guinea Fowl (Numida meleagris) Hen

“…The present results corroborated these literature observations with values of 34.6 down to 20.6 %. In contrast, many vegetable proteins contain substantially more Cys than Met, examples (Cys/TSAA) %: 62.9 % in coconut endosperm [30]; and in Anacardium occidentale it is 50.5 % [31]; and 58.9-72.0 in sorghum (raw, steeped, germinated) [15]. Thus, for animal protein diets or mixed diets containing animal protein, Cys is unlikely to contribute up to 50 % of the TSAA [32].…”

Cola parchycarpa K. Schum: Chemical Evaluation of Amino Acids, Vitamins and Other Nutritional Factors in Seed, Fruit Mesocarp and Epicarp

“…The samples in this study contained higher amount of essential amino acids than C. acuminata and G. kola (356.24 mg/g and 112.90 mg/g respectively) and G. kola seed and hull (11. 10 g/kg and 28.0 g/kg respectively) 27,28 . Amino acid profile is significant in two aspects, namely nutrition and flavour 29 .…”

Comparability of the amino acid composition of aril and seed of <i>blighia sapida</i> fruit

“…[16]. In contrast, many vegetable proteins contain substantially more Cys than Met, for example, 62.9 % in coconut endosperm [19]; 44.4 % in P. biglobosa [18]; 44.3 % in Cola acuminata, 37.8 % in Garcinia kola and 50.5 % in A. occidentale [17]. Although FAO/WHO/UNU [10] did not give any indication of the proportion of TSAA which can be met by Cys in man, for rats, chicks and pigs, the proportion is about 50 % [10].…”

“…33.6 in Anacardium occidentale [17]; 31.2 in Parkia biglobosa seeds [18]; 22.1 in endosperm of ripe coconut [19], 37.6 -51.8 in six different varieties of dehulled Sphenostylis stenocarpa flour [20]; values from oil seeds such as 45.2 in pigeon pea [21], 53.4 (melon seed), 38.3 (pumpkin seed), and 53.6 (gourd seed) respectively [22]; and soy bean with 44.4 [23]. The contents of TSAA were generally lower than the 5.8 g/100 g cp recommended for infants [10].…”