Amino acid profile of the seed and other parts of the winged bean

The chemical composition of the seeds and other parts of the winged bean shows some variation in their nutrient content. The protein content in the seeds is similar to that in soybean while the roots have a protein level higher than that of any known tropical root crop. The amino acid composition of the different parts of the winged bean indicates high amounts of lysine and threonine with total essential amino acids similar—or even superior—to that of soybean seeds. All the parts studied except the roots, the unripe pods and the entire plant contain less total S-amino acids than soybean seeds. In terms of their percentage of FAO values adjusted for digestibility, all the different parts show good quality protein which can be utilised in supplementing cereal-based diets.