Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research (ISSN : 0975-7384)

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Original Articles: 2011 Vol: 3 Issue: 4

Amino Acid Content and Proximate Analysis of the Ethanol Seed Extract of Vigna unguiculata Used in the Management of Sickle Cell Disease

Abstract

Natural herbal plants abound in tropical Africa which are rich sources of amino acids and proteins. Certain amino acids have been shown to play an important role in the management of sickle cell disease. This work evaluated the amino acid content and proximate analysis of the ethanol seed extract of Vigna unguiculata in view of proposing a rich source of amino acids and proteins which will help in the management of sickle cell disease. The amino acid content of the extract was determined using LKB amino acid analyzer based on the method developed by Ruhemann. The proximate analysis was carried out using standard biochemical methods. The amino acid analysis of the extract showed the presence of the following amino acids; aspartate (27.8%), threonine (3.3%), serine (2.6%), glutamine (43.5%), proline (17.6%), glycine (9.5%), alanine (18.7%), cysteine (3.6%), valine (8%), methionine (3.2%), isoleucine (5.3%), leucine (5.4%), tyrosine (0.5%), phenylalanine (5.5%), histidine (4.5%), lysine (0.5%), arginine (14.3%) and tryptophan (0.5%). The proximate analysis of the extract indicated appreciable content of protein (23.65%), moisture (12.85%), ash (3.4%), fats and oil (4.5%) and fiber (4.8%). From the result, Vigna unguiculata is a rich source of amino acid and protein thus will be beneficial in the management of sickle cell disease.