AMINO ACID AND MINERAL COMPOSITIONS AND Proxi analysis of CHinese Bottle

ISSN: 1579-4377

AMINO ACID AND MINERAL COMPOSITIONS AND PROXIMATE ANALYSIS OF CHINESE BOTTLE, LAGENARIA

SCICERARIA

Olaofe, O., *Faleye, F.J., Adeniji, A.A. and Akinsola, A.F. Department of Chemistry, University of Ado-Ekiti,

PMB 5363, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. *Correspondence to; [email protected]

ABSTRACT The amino acid and mineral compositions and proximate analysis of Chinese bottle, Lagenaria sciceraria, have been analysed. The results showed that the seeds contained high amount of crude protein 39.5kg/100kg of sample and fat 46.1kg/100kg of samples. Aspartic and glutamic acids 10.1 and 13.2kg/100kg of crude protein were the most abundant amino acids present. The amino acid composition showed that the seeds contained useful quantities of essential amino acids that are comparable with that of egg protein. The predominant mineral was phosphorus (0.235kg/100kg of sample). The seeds also contained moderately high amounts of potassium and magnesium 0.049kg/100kg and 0.051kg/100kg respectively which made the seeds potentials for future food supplement. KEYWORDS Composition, proximate analysis, amino acids. INTRODUCTION

Olaofe, O., et al. EJEAFChe, 8 (7), 2009. [534-543]

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Chinese bottle, Lagenaria sciceraria, belongs to the family of Cucurbitaceae. There are about 120 genus and 735 species. Members of this family are annual herbs or shrubs. It is widely cultivated throughout the tropical regions of the world especially in West Africa. (www. Plantafrica.com). Species of this family are minor agricultural crops in Nigeria and there are little published data on their chemical compositions. Chinese bottle is a very rich source of oil and essential amino acids but there is no industrial utilization in these areas due to lack of information and non-extensive research in terms of food supplement. Lagenaria sciceraria, for example, is commonly used by traditional doctors to store or keep their concoctions or medicines, which can easily be kept in their porches or pockets because of its small size. It is also used by masquerade by attaching the Chinese bottle to their heads as part of their costumes which give them the name ‘Onirere’ that is masquerade with Chinese gourds.

The carbohydrate and mineral contents of chyote and bottle gourd by Modgil et al., (2004) have been reported. Ogungbenle et al., (2005) have reported the chemical energy evaluation of some under utilized legume flours. The amino acid, mineral composition and functional properties of some oil seeds (Olaofe et al., 1994) have been reported in the literature. The amino acid content of food and of the family cucurbitaceae have also been reported by FAO (1976). Ogungbenle (2006) also reported the proximate, amino acid compositions and functional properties of gourd seeds, white melon, yellow melon, benniseed and bulma cotton seed. None of the research work precisely and strictly analysed the proximate, mineral and amino acid composition of Chinese bottle, a species/variety of Lagenaria sciceraria.

The present work is therefore undertaken to determine the physical characteristics, amino acid and mineral compositions and proximate analysis of the seeds of Chinese bottle. It is hoped that the present report will provide useful information on the nutritional value of Chinese bottle seeds which may contribute positively to the industrial sector, food technologist and other professions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Matured samples of Chinese bottle, Lagenaria sciceraria, were obtained from one, Chief Olowojebutu, of Are-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria in 2007. The Chinese bottle was broken and the seeds were removed from the bottle and screened to select the good seeds (Fig. 1). The seeds were further sun dried, de-hulled, dry milled using mechanical method and stored in a polythene until use.

Physical properties The seeds characteristics were determined following the procedure of Badifu and Ogunsua (1991). The seeds were observed for colour, shape and size. The length and breadth was measured using caliper. Also the loose and packed densities of 100 seeds (100 seed weight) were determined. Percentage weight of kernel and shell (husk) for 100 seeds were determined (Dunu et al., 1986).

Proximate analysis


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Moisture, ash, crude fat and crude fibre contents were determined by using the methods described in AOAC, (1984). The nitrogen was determined by the micro Kjedahl method described by Pearson, (1976) and the nitrogen content were converted to protein by multiplying by 6.25. Carbohydrate was determined by difference. All the proximate values were reported in kg/100kg sample.

Mineral analysis Sodium and potassium were determined using a flame photometer (Corning UK model 403) using NaCl and KCl to prepare the standards. Phosphorus was determined colorimetrically using spectronic 20 (GallenKamp, UK) as described by Pearson, (1976) with KHPO4 as the standard. All other minerals were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Perkin-Elmer model 403, walk CT, USA). All the minerals were reported in mg/100g sample.

Amino acid analysis Amino acid profiles were determined using the ion exchange chromatography (IEC). The samples were defatted, hydrolyzed and evaporated in a rotator evaporator and then injected into the technicon sequential multi-sample Amino Acid Analyzer. The full experimental details have been reported by Adeyeye and Afolabi (2004).

Determination of the total essential amino acid (TEAA) to the total amino acid (TAA), i.e. (TEAA/TAA); total sulphur amino acid (TSAA); percentage cystine in TSAA (% Cys/TSAA); total aromatic amino acid (TArAA), etc, while the predicted protein efficiency ratio was determined using one of the equations developed by Alsmeyer et al., (1974) given as

P-PER = -0.468 + 0.454(Leu) – 0.105(Tyr) Theoretical estimation of isoelectric point (pl) was carried out.

pl determination can be calculated by the equation of the form IPm = Xi

given by Olaofe and Akintayo (2000), where IPm is the isoelectric point of the mixture, Ipi is the isoelectric point of ith amino acid in the mixture and Xi is the mass or mole fraction of the ith amino acid in the mixture. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The results obtained on the physical properties of the seeds are presented in Table 1. The seeds of Chinese bottle were hard, and far smaller than Telferiria occidentalis seed (4.07cm and 3.62cm) as reported by Badifu and Ogunsua, 1991. The weight of the kernel determined is important for markets. It can also be used for pricing and estimating the amount of oil that can be obtained from the whole seed. Both loose and bulk densities of the kernel were found to be greater than the whole seed. This indicates that the kernel packed closely to one another than for the whole seed. The parameter is very important for easy transportation of the commodity.


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Table 1 Dimension and Physical Properties of Chinese bottle Dimension Whole seed Kernel Length (mm) 1.07 ± 0.054 0.900 ± 0.047 Breadth (mm) 0.645 ± 0.044 0.460 ± 0.039 Thickness (mm) 0.250 ± 0.024 0.160 ± 0.047 % Mass of husk 43.2 - % Mass of kernel 56.8 - Average Mass (g) 1.01 ± 0.017 0.560 ± 0.012 Bulk Density (g/cc) 0.851 0.962 Loose Density (g/cc) 0.928 1.15

Table 2 Proximate Analysis Of Chinese Kernel

Parameters kg/100kg fresh sample

Moisture

Ash Crude Protein Crude Fibre

Carbohydrate Available energy (KJ)a/kg

6.15 4.97 39.5 1.86 3.26

24,326.2

a Calculated metabolizable energy (KJ/kg sample) = 10(Protein × 17 + fat × 37 + carbohydrate × 17)

Table 2 presents the proximate composition of the seeds of Chinese bottle. Moisture, ash, fat, crude protein and carbohydrate contents were recorded in grams per 100g of the milled sample. The moisture content is 6.15kg/100kg, a value higher than those reported by Olaofe et al., (1994) for gourd seed (3.48kg/100kg but lower than those reported for melon seed (8.32kg/100kg), pumpkin seed (6.93g/100g) by Olaofe et al., (1994), gourd seed (8.12kg/100kg) by Badifu and Ogunsua (1991). The low moisture content makes the Chinese kernel not susceptible to microbial attack, hence affording a long shelf-life for the seeds. The ash content of Chinese bottle seed is of moderate value and similar to those reported by Bidifu and Ogunsua (1991), 4.66kg/100kg for fluted pumpkin and Olaofe et al., (1994), 4.14kg/100kg) for melon seed. This suggests that the kernel would provide essential minerals for body mechanism and development.


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The kernel of Chinese bottle has a high fat content of 46.1kg/100kg which is quite comparable to those reported for gourd seed (50.6g/100g) (Olaofe et al, 1994), C. vulgaris 47.9kg/100kg (Ige et al, 1984), pumpkin seed 47.0kg/100kg (Aisegbu, 1987) and Cucumeroplis edulis, 43.7kg/100kg (Ige et al., 1984). However, the value is higher when compared with 23.5kg/100kg reported for soybean by Paul and Southgate, (1985). This indicates that Chinese kernel is a better source of oil than soybean seed. Its kernel could be used as a source of vegetable oil for industrial and domestic purposes. The crude protein obtained for Chinese kernel is 39.5kg/100kg, a value which is high compared with crude proteins in protein-rich foods such as soybeans, cowpeas and pigeon peas (Olaofe et al, 1993), and some oil seeds such as melon seed (23.7kg/100kg), pumpkin seed (33.0g/100g)and gourd seed (30.8kg/100kg) as reported by Olaofe et al., (1994) and also higher than that of white melon (36.1kg/100kg) as reported by Badifu and Ogunsua (1991). Therefore, Chinese bottle could be an alternative source of dietary protein and would be a better supplement if the amino acid profile is highly balanced where malnutrition arises, especially in developing countries like Nigeria where the majority of the populace live on starchy foods.

The crude fibre of Chinese kernel is 1.86g/100g which is lower than that of gourd seed (2.80kg/100kg) as reported by Ogungbenle, (2006). The carbohydrate was obtained by difference with a value of 3.26kg/100kg which is low compared with gourd seed (9.89g/100g) as reported by Ogungbenle (2006) and pumkin seeds (6.93kg/100kg), Olaofe et al., (1994). The calculated metabolizable energy value (24,326.2kJ/kg) showed that the kernel of Chinese bottle was a concentrated source of energy within the recommended energy dietary allowance for children (FAO, 1976). The value is higher than those of legumes (15,953.4-16,928.5kJ/kg) as reported by Aremu et al., (2006), some vegetables (16,760-16,950kJ/kg) by Paul and Southgate (1985).

Table 3 Mineral Composition (10-3kg/100kg) of Chinese kernel

Mineral Values Potassium

Sodium Iron Zinc

Phosphorus Calcium

Magnesium

490 30.0 6.0 8.0

2350 40.0 510

Table 3 presents the mineral composition of Chinese bottle. The order of

increasing concentration of minerals is p > mg > k. The present observation is contrary to the report in literature that potassium is the most abundant in agricultural products (Olaofe, 1987 and Olaofe et al., 1993). The differences in mineral content of plant product may be due to the soils composition and the rate of uptake of minerals by each plant (Olaofe, 1987, Nelson, 1980). The values of calcium (0.040kg/100kg) and sodium (0.030kg/100kg), were moderate, while zinc, (0.008kg/100kg), iron (6.0mg/100g), content were comparable with, zinc (0.0096kg/100kg) and iron (0.0058kg/100kg) reported for melon seed by Olaofe et al., (1994).

Phosphorus is always found with calcium in the body, both contributing to the blood formation and supportive structure of the body. Therefore, the presence of


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phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium in Chinese bottle kernel would make it suitable for bone formation for children since the deficiencies of these minerals (P, Ca and Mg) can lead to abnormal bone development (Shills and Young, 1992). The high content of iron (0.006kg/100kg) is good enough for blood formation and also important for normal functioning of the central nervous system (Adeyeye and Fagbohun, 2005). It also facilitates the oxidation of carbohydrate, protein and fats.

The Na/K ratio in the body is of great concern for prevention of high blood pressure. Na/K less than one is recommended. The ratio of Na/K of Chinese kernel was less than one, hence the sample would reduce high blood pressure dosage. If the Ca/P ratio is low (low calcium, high phosphorus intake) more than the normal amount of calcium may be lost in the urine, decreasing the calcium level in the bones. Food is considered ‘‘good’’ if the ratio is less than 0.5 while Ca/P ratio above two helps to increase the absorption of calcium in the small intestine. The Ca/P ratio in the present study is less than 0.5 which showed that the kernel can be considered ‘‘poor’’.

Table 4 Amino acid composition of Chinese kernel (kg/100kg crude protein)

Amino acid Composition Lysine (Lys)a

Histidine (His)a Arginine (Arg)a

Aspartic acid (Asp) Threonine (Thr)a

Serine (Ser) Glutamic acid (Glu)

Proline (Pro) Glycine (Gly) Alanine (Ala) Cystine (Cys) Valine (Val)a

Methionine (Met)a Isoleucine (Ile)a Leucine (Leu)a Tyrosine (Tyr)

Phenylalanine (Phe)a Isoelectric point (pI)

P-PER

3.46 2.99 5.50 10.1 3.39 3.07 13.2 4.50 3.94 3.59 1.29 2.99 1.38 3.33 6.49 2.98 3.19 5.67 2.2

a Essential amino acids

P-PER Predicted protein efficiecy ratio Table 4 depicts the amino acid composition of Chinese bottle. It is observed that

glutamic and aspartic acids are the most abundant amino acids in the sample and make up to 23.3kg/100kg crude protein on an average basis with a percentage of 30.0%. Similar observation has been reported by Olaofe and Akintayo, (2000); and Adeyeye, (2004). Leucine was the most concentrated essential amino acid (6.49kg/100kg) which is greater than that of soybeans, 0.9kg/100kg (Temple and Aliyu, 1994).

Table 5 shows the evaluation report on amino acid based on classification. The % EAA to TAA in the sample was 43.4; this value is well above the 39% considered to be adequate for ideal protein for infants, 26% for children and 11% for adults (FAO/WHO/UNU, 1985). The percentage ration of EAA/TAA in Chinese kernel was strongly comparable to that of egg (50%) (FAO/WHO, 1990); 43.6% for pigeon pea flour


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Oshodi et al., 1993) and 43.8-44.4% for beach pea protein isolate (Chavan et al., 2001). The calculated isoelectric point (pI) was 5.67. This is a good starting point in predicting the pI for proteins in order to enhance a quick precipitation of protein isolate from biological samples (Olaofe and Akintayo, 2000).

Table 5 Classification of amino acid composition (kg/100kg crude protein)

Parameter Composition Total Amino Acid (TAA)

Total Non-Essential Amino Acid (TNEAA) % TNEAA

Total Essential Amino Acid (TEAA) -with Histidine

-without Histidine % TEAA

-with Histidine -without Histidine

Total Acidic Amino Acid (TAAA) % TAAA

Total Basic Amino Acid (TBAA) % TBAA

Total Neutral Amino Acid (TNAA) % TNAA

Total Sulphur Amino Acid (TSAA) % TSAA

% Cystine in TSAA

75.4 42.7 56.6

32.7 29.7

43.4 39.4 23.3 30.9 12.0 15.9 40.1 53.3 2.67 3.0

48.0

Table 6 Amino Acid Scores

AAC PAAESPa (g/100g protein)

EAAC (g/100g protein)

AAS (g/100g protein)

Lys 5.5 3.46 0.629 Thr 4.0 3.39 0.848 Val 5.0 2.99 0.598 Ile 4.0 3.33 0.833

Leu 7.0 6.49 0.927 Met + Cys (TSAA) 3.5 2.67 0.76

Phe + Tyr 6.0 6.17 1.02

aSource: Belschant, et al. (1975) AAC = Amino Acid Composition

PAAESP = Provisional Amino Acid (Egg) Scoring Pattern EAAC = Essential Amino Acid Composition

AAS = Amino Acid Scores

The amino acid scoring Table, 6, shows that the first limiting amino acid in the

Chinese bottle sample was valine with a value of 0.598 followed by lysine as second limiting amino acid. The present report on limiting amino acid did not support the report of Bingham (1977) that the essential amino acid most often acting in a limiting capacity is lysine.

The predicted protein efficiency ratio (P-PER) (Table 5) was 2.2, which was better than 1.21 (cowpea), 1.82 (pigeon pea) (Salunkhe et al., 1989); 0.27 (sorghum ogi), 1.62 (millet ogi) (Oyarekua and Eleyimi, 2004). The predicted protein efficiency ratio (P-


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PER) is one of the quality parameters used for protein evaluation (FAO/WHO, 1991). It can be said that the kernel under investigation satisfied the FAO requirements (FAO/WHO/UNU, 1985).

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

The present study indicates that Chinese kernel, (L. sciceraria), can be classified as high source of protein with nutritionally valuable minerals and complete essential amino acids. It also reveals the suitability of Chinese kernel as a diet for hypertensive people since Na/K is less than one. The results of the proximate analysis revealed that Chinese bottle would be excellent ingredient for various industrial applications (food formulation/supplement). The high quality protein of Chinese bottle shows its reliability as cosmetics good source of amino acids for children and adults.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors acknowledge Chief Olowojebutu for the supply of the Chinese bottle and Dr. Titus Ojobo, the Chief Technologist, Department of Zoology, University of Jos, Nigeria, for the Atomic Absorption Spctroscopy (AAS) analysis.

A


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AMINO ACID AND MINERAL COMPOSITIONS AND Proxi analysis of CHinese Bottle

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