Proximate composition, amino acid content and haemagglutinating and trypsin-inhibiting activities of some Brazilian Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp cultivars

Seeds of Brazilian Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp cultivars (EPACE 10, EPACE 11 , Pitiuba, TVu 1888, IPA 206 and Olho de Ovelha) were analysed to establish their proximate composition, amino acid content and presence of antinutrit ional and/or toxic factors. The seed protein, carbohydrate and oil contents ranged from 195 to 261 g kg(-1) dry matter, from 678 to 761 g kg(-1) dry m atter and from 12 to 36 g kg(-1) dry matter respectively. EPACE 10, EPACE 1 1, Pitiuba, TVu 1888, IPA 206 and Olho de Ovelha cultivars are rich in glut amin/glutamic acid, asparagin/aspartic acid and phenylalanine + tyrosine. T he essential amino acid profile compared with the FAO/WHO/UNU scoring patte rn requirements for different age groups showed that these seeds have methi onine + cysteine as the first limiting amino acid for 2-5-year-old children . However, only Pitiuba, IPA 206 and Olho de Ovelha are deficient in methio nine + cysteine for 10-12-year-old children. The contents of threonine, val ine, isoleucine, leucine and methionine + cysteine of all cultivars were lo wer than those of hen egg. Haemagglutinating activity measured against rabb it erythrocytes was found to be present in the six cultivars, but only afte r the red cells were treated with proteolytic enzymes. All cultivars displa yed protease inhibitor activity which varied from about 12.0 to 30.6 g tryp sin inhibited per kg flour. Urease and toxic activities were not detected i n any of the studied cultivars. (C) 2000 Society of Chemical Industry.