Composition and Food Potential of African Oil Bean (Pentaclethra macrophylla) and Velvet Bean (Mucuna uriens)

Fatty acids, protein and amino acids of African oil bean seed (Pentaclethra macrophylla) and velvet beans (Mucuna uriens) were studied. Crude protein of the defatted seeds were 341g and 196g per kilogram dry matter and the ether extract was 46 and 8%, respectively, for oil bean seed and mucuna. Essential amino acids composition compared fairly with that of isolated soybean protein. Lysine was high at 66.5 and 66.4g/kg crude protein (nitrogen × 6.25) for oil bean seed and mucuna, respectively. Methionine was low but cystine was high. The fat had a high content of saturated fatty acids. It is suggested that the seeds may be a potential source of protein and oil.