Protein quality of some unusual protein foodstuffs. Studies on the African locust-bean seed (Parkia filicoidea Welw.)

Abstract

I. The proximate composition, amino acid composition and the quality of the protein of the African locust-bean (Purkiu jilicoideu Welw.) seed, seed with pulp, and various processed forms, with or without amino acid supplementation, were assessed.2. The crude protein content of the locust-bean seed was 303 g/kg and the crude fibre content was IZI g/kg.3. The seeds contained (mg/g protein): 67 lysine, 6.1 methionine and 8.9 tryptophan. 4. Diets containing IOO g protein/kg supplied by the seed did not support growth in rats, 5.Utilization of the protein of locust-bean seeds was improved by cooking, and by removal 6. Supplementation with methionine alone resulted in positive growth and a very sub-7. Supplements of methionine and tryptophan caused further improvement in protein demonstrating that the protein was of poor quality.of the tough leathery outer testa of the seeds.stantial increase in protein values.quality and increased the growth of rats to almost that obtained with whole egg.In Nigeria, as in all other developing countries, there is a general shortage of protein, particularly of animal proteins, in the diet.The livestock situation has not improved much in recent times because of a lack of basic information on the available feeding-stuffs, which has mitigated against the use of these feeding-stuffs in balanced and economical rations for farm stock or in dietary mixtures for feeding the vulnerable groups of people. Cheap sources of good-quality proteins for livestock feeding are scarce, and this has necessitated a survey of the potentials of sources hitherto not much used.The studies reported here are part of a series of systematic investigations which have been undertaken to evaluate nutritionally a wide range of protein foodstuffs not commonly used but which may ultimately be used on a large scale if found to be of high nutritional value.The African locust bean (Parkiajilicoidea Welw.) is a spreading tree of medium size, with compound leaves and numerous leaflets. The fruits comprise bunches of pods which vary between 125 and 275 mm in length and contain a yellow, dry, powdery pulp, in which are embedded several dark brown or black seeds. It is widely distributed in the natural grassland of the northern states and in derived savannah zones of the western states of Nigeria.The yellow mealy pulp is sweet to the taste and is made into a valuable carbohydrate food. E X P E R I M E N T A LOrigin, preparation and storage of samples The African locust-bean-seed samples were obtained direct from local farmers around Iseyin and Oyo in western Nigeria. Some of the samples had been removed already from the pods and washed clean of the yellow pulp. These are the samples designated 'bean seed'. The only laboratory treatment given to them was cooking in boiling water for 3 h, sun-drying and then grinding into a fine powder which passed through a 30 mesh sieve. The sample designated 'bean seed with pulp' comprised the cooked seed and yellow, sweetish pulp (75 : 25, wlw). Expt IIn this experiment, the proximate composi...

Nutritional composition of the African locust bean (<i>Parkia biglobosa</i>) fruit pulp

“…This is much higher than the seeds (49.49%) as reported by Fetuga et al (1974); and is in agreement with the findings of Uwaegbute (1996) t hat t he fruit pulp contains more carbohydrates than the seeds. It is also higher than most legume seeds with only lentils and bambara groundnuts coming close with a value of 65.0% (Muller, 1988).…”

“…In the search for plant protein and vitamin substitutes, the African locust bean (Parkia biglobosa) has found very popular use especially in the fermented 'dawadawa' form, which is a product of the seeds However, the yellow dry powdery fruit pulp called 'Dorowa' in Hausa has not attracted much attention. Many workers (Fetuga et al 1974;CampbellPlatt,1980;Eka, 1980;Odunfa,1986;Oke and Umoh, 1987) have reported the nutritional adequacy of the African locust bean seeds with a proximate composition of 30.00% protein, 15.00% fat, 4.00% crude fiber, 2.00% ash and 49.00% carbohydrate. According to Uwaegbute (1996) the powdery fruit pulp contains more carbohydrate than the seeds, the carbohydrates being primarily reducing sugars (19.00%), nonreducing sugars (9.00%) and other complex carbohydrates (36.00%).…”

Evaluation of haematological and plasma biochemical effects of aqueous extracts of Parkia biglobosa seeds in rats

“…The husks and pods are good feed for livestock (Obizoba, 1998). Fetuga et al (1974) reported the plant to be a good source of tannins, saponins, gums, fuel and wood. The seeds of various species of the genus Parkia have been investigated for their protein and amino acid contents.…”

Riboflavin enriched iru: A fermented vegetable protein

“…The pods are flat, large, irregular clusters from which the locust bean seeds are obtained (Omafuvbe et al, 2004). It contains about 40.4% protein, 31.5% fat, 3.1% fibre and 15% carbohydrate (Fetuga et al, 1974). The African locust bean is consumed mainly because of the flavouring attributes.…”