Almond (Prunus dulcis L.) protein quality

Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2005 Sep;60(3):123-8. doi: 10.1007/s11130-005-6840-2.

Abstract

Three marketing varieties of almonds; Carmel, Mission, and Nonpareil; were analyzed for proximate composition and protein nutritive quality. Moisture, lipids, protein, ash, sugars, and tannins ranges were 3.05-4.33%, 43.37-47.50%, 20.68-23.30%, 3.74-4.56%, 5.35-7.45%, and 0.12-0.18%, respectively. No detectable hemagglutinating and trypsin inhibitory activities were present in Carmel, Mission, and Nonpareil almonds. Amino acid analyses indicated the sulfur amino acids (methionine + cysteine), lysine, and threonine to be the first, second, and third limiting amino acids in almonds when compared to the recommended amino acid pattern for children 2-5-year old. However, compared to the recommended amino acid pattern for adults, sulfur amino acids were the only limiting amino acids in almonds tested. True Protein Digestibility (% TPD) values for Carmel, Mission, and Nonpareil were 88.55 +/- 1.26, 92.25 +/- 1.05, and 82.62 +/- 1.47, respectively. Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Scoring (PDCAAS) values suggested almond proteins to be of poor nutritional quality.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acids / analysis
  • Amino Acids, Essential / analysis*
  • Digestion
  • Fats / analysis
  • Humans
  • Nutritional Requirements
  • Nutritive Value
  • Plant Proteins / analysis*
  • Plant Proteins / standards*
  • Prunus / chemistry*
  • Tannins / analysis

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Amino Acids, Essential
  • Fats
  • Plant Proteins
  • Tannins