Author
1Samsinah H. Hussain, 2Tan Soo Choon and 2Chin Wei Yim, 1School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, USM 11800 Minden, Penang. Currently Seconded to Pharmacy Department, NCUK/PPP/ITM, Section 6, 40000 Shah Alam, Selangor. 2School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia 11800 Minden, Penang.
Proceeding
Trends in Traditional Medicine Research, Proceedings of the International Conference on the Use of Traditional Medicine & Other Natural Products in Health Care
Date
8/6/1993
Keyword
Vigina sinensis, Anacardium occidentals, amino acids, “ulam”.
Abstract
A preliminary study was carried out on the amino acids content in the protein of two local plants which are normally eaten raw. They are Vigina sinensis and Anacardium occidentals. Reverse-phase HPLC method was used to separate the amino acid components which are released from the protein by hydrolysis. The amino acid mixtures were derivatised with ortho-phthaldehyde/2-mercaptoethanol (OPA/MCE) for detection in a fluorometric detector. The amount of amino acids content in Vigina sinensis and Anacardium occidenrale are 7.43 mg/g (dry edible portion) and 7.77 mg/g (dry edible portion), respectively. The presence of specific amino acids in the plants may enable them to be commercially utilized as a nutritious and cheap source of amino acid supplements.
