Nutritional studies make little reference to essential amino acids to
explain undernutrition in protein-energy malnutrition. This study aimed to carry
out biochemical characterization and amino acid profiling of Detarium
microcarpum and Adansonia digitata fruit pulps and Moringa oleifera leaf powder
to show their contribution to protein balance. Biochemical analyses and amino acid
profiles were carried out using standard methods and statistically analyzed using
XLstat 2016 software. Results are expressed on a dry matter basis. Moringa
powder had the highest ash, lipid and protein contents, at 10.72%, 8.75% and
23.85% respectively, compared with 4.14%, 1.99% and 4.19% for Detarium.
Adansonia pulp had the lowest lipid and protein contents, at 1.36% and 1.83%
respectively. In terms of total amino acids, Moringa powder had the highest
content at 15.59%, while baobab pulp had the lowest at 2.18%. Essential amino
acids for Moringa powder were higher and more balanced than for fruit. Histidine
was absent in Adansonia digitata pulp, while methionine was absent in both
Adansonia digitata and Detarium microcarpum pulps. Thus, blending the three
resources could result in products with high nutritional value.
Keyword: Adansonia digitata, Amino acids, Detarium microcarpum, Food
supplementation, Moringa oleifera, Nutritional composition.