Amino acid profiles and protein quality of Siberian apricot (Prunus sibirica L.) kernels from Inner Mongolia

Abstract

Siberian apricot (Prunus sibirica L.) is a traditional nut tree species in East Asia and Siberia and is a possible contribution to healthy diets. However, it has attracted little research attention and information on the nutritional value of its kernel is limited. In this study, the profile, nutritional value and variation of amino acids were investigated in eight provenances. The kernels contained 29 × 10⁻² g/g protein and were rich in glutamic acid (26.5%), aspartic acid (11.3%) and arginine (10.1%). They showed higher essential amino acids (EAA) than similar protein values for almonds. The variation coefficients of amino acids ranged from 3.8 to 43.7%, and the levels of seven amino acids were significantly different among the eight provenances. The proportion of essential amino acids to total amino acids and amino acid score were also quite different. Protein was negatively correlated with some amino acids and protein quality values. In conclusion, there were two superior provenances (Wanjiagou and Horinger County) with high EAA contents and protein quality, and could be used in the large-scale development of this species.

Keywords

Prunus sibirica L. / Amino acids / Nutritional value / Diversity

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