Amino Acid Profile and Mineral Content of Balanites aegyptiaca Kernel
I. U. Muhammad *
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Bayero University, P.M.B. 3011, Kano, Nigeria
A. J. Alhassan
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Bayero University, P.M.B. 3011, Kano, Nigeria
Y. Ramatu
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Bayero University, P.M.B. 3011, Kano, Nigeria
A. Mohammad
Department of Biochemistry, College of Medical Sciences, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, P.M.B. 0248, Bauchi, Nigeria
A. Nasir
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Umaru Musa Yar´adua University, Katsina, Nigeria
A. I. Yaradua
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Umaru Musa Yar´adua University, Katsina, Nigeria
I. Alexander
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Caritas University, Amorji-Nike, P.M.B. 01784, Enugu, Nigeria
Y. Umar
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti, Nigeria
M. D. Ezema
Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Federal College of Agricultural Produce Technology, Hotoro, Kano, Nigeria
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Study on the evaluation of the nutritional quality of poorly utilized plant products is of immense importance. This research work, therefore, evaluates the amino acid profile and mineral content of Balanites aegyptiaca kernel using standard analytical methods. The amino acid profile analysis revealed the presence of essential and the non-essential amino acids of which Total sulphur and Total aromatic amino acids content were 2.86 g/100 g protein and 7.21 g/100 g protein respectively. Analysis of the mineral content showed the presence of the following minerals in the order; Magnesium ˃ Sodium ˃ Calcium ˃ Potassium ˃ Iron ˃ Zinc ˃ Manganese ˃ Lead ˃ Copper ˃ Nickel ˃ Chromium ˃ Cadmium. The kernel could, therefore, be used as a good source of protein and minerals in supplementing other sources in order to reduce food insecurity and hence malnutrition from lack of protein diets.
Keywords: Amino acid profile, mineral content, Balanites aegyptiaca, Kernel