Nutritional Composition of Grain and Seed Proteins

Abstract

Grains including wheat, brown rice, millet, oat, and seeds from crops such as pumpkins, almonds, cashew, peas are important staple foods in many parts of the world. Grains and seeds contain proteins and bioactive peptides classified as nutraceuticals. Proteins and peptides are essential components in man’s diet because they provide the raw materials needed for protein biosynthesis and are also a good source of energy. Incorporating grains and seeds into the human diet provide nutritional, functional health benefits, reducing contracting some chronic diseases. They avail the body with a balanced nutrient profile such as carbohydrate, fatty-acid, fibre, B vitamins, minerals and protein. The quest at exploring staples for their functional and health benefits, as well as reducing risks to diseases, has resulted in the investigation of the potentials of grains and seeds, especially the underutilised ones (African yam bean, pigeon pea, Bambara groundnut etc.) for consumption and as an alternative therapy against diseases. This chapter discusses grains and seeds as sources of nutrition protagonist, their nutritive property, health benefits, and the pharmacological properties of bioactive peptides in grains and seeds. However, some under-utilised grain and seed proteins would also be explored for their nutritive potentials.

Metal and Pesticide Assessments of Imported and Locally Cultivated Rice (Oryza sativa) in Senegal

“…The Bore concentration as a micronutrient is reported in Table 2, which is about 0.01 and 1.17 mg/kg. Its important role, in plant metabolism, is highlighted by its presence in cell wall synthesis and maintaining plant structure and integrity [46,47]. Freshly, harvested rice grains contain about 80% carbohydrate, which includes starch, glucose, sucrose, and dextrin.…”

Nutraceutical Benefits of Cookies Produced from Wheat and Mushroom Flour: A Review

“…ii. Nuts and Seeds: Adding nuts and seeds, such as almonds, walnuts, flaxseeds, or chia seeds, enriches cookies with protein, healthy fats, fiber, vitamins, and minerals (Stamatie et al, 2023;Oso et al, 2021). These ingredients provide satiety, support cardiovascular health, and may help regulate blood sugar levels (Munekata et al, 2021).…”

“…Cookies made from composite flour provide nutrients like B vitamins, iron, zinc, and selenium, supporting various bodily functions such as energy metabolism, cognitive health, and immune function (Oso & Ashafa, 2021).…”

Entomotoxicity of ZnO NPs synthesized using Clausena anisata Hook.f. ex Benth(ulmaayii) leaf extract against maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais Mostch (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

“…Maize, wheat, millet, rice, and other cereal crops are the most widely grown worldwide (Awika, 2011;Ye & Fan, 2021). Because they are high in fats, vitamins, proteins, minerals, carbohydrates, and oils, these crops are an important part of our diet (Sarwar et al, 2013;Oso & Ashafa, 2021). They contain certain nutritional components due to this the grains of these crops are susceptible to insect pest attacks during storage.…”