Food value of lesser utilised tropical plants

Abstract

Protein contents, amino acid compositions and other nutritional and anti-nutritional factors in leaves of Asystasia gangetica, Asystasia nemorum, Kaempferia galanga, Mentha arvensis and Piper sarmentosum were determined. The analyses showed that these lesser utilised plants were rich in protein, had a good complement of amino acids, and a favourable amount of minerals, sugars, lipids and fibre. Furthermore, anti-nutritional factors, such as trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitors, and cyanide, were not detected. Overall, these plants represented a potential food source with high protein content and good nutritive value. © 1992.