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African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development
Rural Outreach Program
ISSN: 1684-5358 EISSN: 1684-5358
Vol. 17, No. 3, 2017, pp. 12441-12454
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Bioline Code: nd17072
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge
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African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, Vol. 17, No. 3, 2017, pp. 12441-12454
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COMPOSITION OF AMINO ACIDS, FATTY ACIDS AND DIETARY FIBRE MONOMERS IN KERNELS OF ADANSONIA DIGITATA AND SCLEROCARYA BIRREA
Magaia, T.L.J. & Skog, K.
Abstract
There is increasing demand for sources of energy and non-meat protein with balanced
amino acid profiles worldwide. Nuts are rich in protein and essential amino acids, and
have a high energy value due to their high fat content. Kernels from two wild fruits in
Mozambique, Adansonia digitata and Sclerocarya birrea, were selected for this study
to determine their amino acid and fatty acid composition, as well as the monomeric
composition of their dietary fibre. The fat content in Adansonia digitata kernels was
around 32% and in Sclerocarya birrea kernels 49%. Both kernels were rich in
unsaturated fatty acids. The dominating fatty acids in Adansonia digitata kernels were
palmitic, linoleic and oleic acid; varying from 25.7% to 34.9% of the total fatty acids
content. In Sclerocarya birrea kernels the main fatty acid was oleic acid, 72.4%. The
Adansonia digitata kernels contained the two essential fatty acids linoleic (around
30%) and linolenic acid (2%). Sclerocarya birrea kernels contained linoleic acid
(around 7%). The protein content in Adansonia digitata kernels was 35% and in
Sclerocarya birrea kernels 29%. Glutamic acid was the most abundant amino acid,
comprising more than 20% of the protein in both kernels. The contents of essential
amino acids in the kernels were compared with the requirements stated by the WHO,
and the findings indicate that Adansonia digitata and Sclerocarya birrea kernels can
provide good, cheap sources of protein, especially when combined with foods with high
lysine content. Regarding the dietary fibre fractions, the main constituent in the
insoluble fraction of Adansonia digitata kernels was glucose, while in the soluble
fraction arabinose was the dominating component. In kernels of Sclerocarya birrea,
uronic acids constituted more than 90% of both dietary fibre fractions. The results of
this study suggest that intake of these kernels can help providing a great part of the fatty
acids and amino acids required in the daily diet, especially for people living in rural
areas of Mozambique. The data could be used for intake estimates, and to encourage
increased consumption and utilization of these kernels.
Keywords
Wild fruit; consumption; seeds; essential; protein; fat; linoleic acid; linolenic acid; Mozambique
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