Chemical composition and amino acid content of African breadfruit ( Treculia africana Decne)

Abstract

Chemical analysis of the seeds of African breadfruit ( Treculia africana) shows that they have high protein and oil contents (23% and 11%, respectively). The oil can be used for industrial purposes and for human consumption due to its high food energy value. Phosphorus and potassium contents are high but the low calcium content could lead to a low Ca P ratio. Glutamic acid, aspartic acid and glycine are the most abundant amino acids, followed by lysine, leucine, threonine and valine. As in most legumes, the content of sulphur-containing amino acids in African breadfruit is low. Its high content of essential amino acids commends it as a suitable replacement for soybean in areas where the latter is scarce, or too expensive.