AMINO-ACID-COMPOSITION OF LEAF PROTEINS EXTRACTED FROM SOME AQUATIC WEEDS

The chemical composition and amino acid profile of leaf protein extrac ted from five aquatic weeds, namely Alternanthera philoxeroides, Azoll a pinnata, Lemna minor, Limnanthemum cristatum, and Pistia stratiotes, were investigated. The nitrogen content in the leaf proteins ranged f rom 6.1 to 8.7%, beta-carotene levels varied from 462.5 to 674.7 mu/g, and the total polyphenols ranged from 1.3 to 2.9%. There were no larg e differences in the amino acid composition of the five samples, sugge sting that protein of a uniform composition could be extracted from aq uatic plants. Levels of essential amino acids in the leaf proteins com pared favorably with FAO reference pattern and chick requirements, ind icating that leaf protein extracted from unwanted aquatic plants could be used for food/feed purposes. Even the fibrous byproduct, left afte r the extraction of aquatic leaf proteins, having 2.1-3.2% nitrogen an d low nitrate contents (0.23-0.65%) could be utilized as an additional feed for ruminants.