CENTESIMAL COMPOSITION AND AMINO ACID PROFILING OF WOOD APPLE (LIMONIA ACIDISSIMA) SEED: AN UNDERUTILIZED PROTEIN SOURCE

Under-utilized crops can play a crucial role in food and livelihood security for the poor. These plants risk falling into disuse, yet they often play a crucial role in food security, income generation and the culture of the rural poor. Unfortunately the lack of attention has meant that their potential value is under-exploited, and they are in danger of continued genetic erosion, ultimately leading to disappearance. One such under-utilized fruit is Wood apple (Limonia acidissima) seeds, in which protein concentrate and protein isolate were prepared from seed flour. The chemical composition and functionality was analyzed by standard techniques. The highest amount of protein content was found in protein isolate (85.93%) as compared to wood apple seed flour (27.56%) and protein concentrate (76.50%). The WASF, WASPC and WASPI had good functional properties. The essential amino acids (histisine, threonine, valine, leucine, isoleucine and lysine) of the protein were at a higher level in flour, protein concentrate and protein isolates of wood apple seed than the Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization reference pattern. The wood apple seed flour, protein concentrate and isolate were nutritionally comparable to other oilseed flour and can potentially be used in supplementary food formulations.