Assessment of the Protein Quality and Mineral Bioavailability of Dacryodes edulis Seed and Seed Coat Mixture

Aim: This study was carried out to evaluate the amino acid composition, protein quality, and mineral content of Dacryodes edulis seed and seed coat mixture.

Methodology: Ethanol extract of the sample was obtained and analyzed using HPLC amino acid auto analyzer for the evaluation of amino acids, and an atomic absorption spectrophotometer for the mineral content analysis.

Results: Leucine (7.68 g/100 g), lysine (6.44 g/100 g) and arginine (5.08 g/100 g) were the highest occurring essential amino acids, while glutamic acid (15.06 g/100 g), aspartic acid (11.73 g/100 g) and proline (4.09 g/100 g) were the highest occurring non-essential amino acids. Results for the amino acid groups followed the order; Total non-essential amino acid (TNEAA) > Total essential amino acid (TEAA) with His > Total essential amino acid (TEAA) without His > Total acidic amino acid (TAAA) > Total branched chain amino acid (TBCAA) > Total basic amino acid (TBAA) > Total aromatic amino acid (TArAA) > Total sulphur amino acid (TSAA). For the protein quality indices, the predicted protein efficiency ratios (P-PERs I, II, and III) were 2.63, 2.65, and 2.06 respectively, while the Essential amino acid index (EAAI) and Leu/Ile were 1.51 and 1.89 respectively. Only tryptophan exceeded the reference scoring pattern. The result of elemental analysis showed calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc as the four highest occurring minerals, while only the Ca/P, Ca/K, Ca/Mg, and [Ca]/[Phy] results fell within their reference values.

Conclusion: This study has shown that D. edulis seed and seed coat mixture lacks majority of the recommended mineral proportions, and requires additional supplementation to equal the amino acid scoring patterns, but can be harnessed to ameliorate tryptophan related deficiencies.