ISSN:
1573-9104
Keywords:
Prickly pear
;
Opuntia ficus-indica
;
chemical composition
;
mineral analysis protein quality
;
nutritive value
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
Notes:
Abstract Results are reported on the nutritional quality of prickly pear seeds,Opuntia ficus-indica. The seeds contained 16.6% protein, 17.2% fat, 49.6% fiber and 3.0% ash. The meal showed a high amount of iron (9.45 mg %). The contents of Mg, P, K, Zn and Cu were nutritionally significant contributing approximately 10–20% of the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) of these elements per 100 g of dry weight. The amount of Ca represented less than 10% of the RDA for that element. Aspartic acid, glutamic acid, arginine and glycine were the most abundant amino acids making nearly half of the total amino acids content. The seeds were rich in sulfur amino acids (methionine + cystine). Lysine was the first limiting amino acid resulting in a chemical score of 62 for the protein. The in-vitro protein digestibility and the calculated protein efficiency ratio were 77% and 1.82 compared to 90% and 2.50, respectively, for ANRC casein.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01093742
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