Evaluation of amino acid composition and protein solubility profile of commercially available sesame and groundnut seed meal

Sesame and groundnut are important crops and a source of edible oil and protein. Amino acid content of both meals was analyzed and studies made on the protein solubility of defatted sesame and groundnut meal in aqueous solution over various pH and in various salt solutions. Valine, isoleucine, arginine, aspartic acid and glutamine were present in high concentration in both the defatted meals. Apart from these amino acids high levels of leucine and phenyl alanine were also observed in groundnut meal. The protein solubility was found to be more in alkaline pH than in acidic pH in aqueous solution and the solubility was found to be high at pH 10. Protein solubility of sesame and groundnut meal was high at 0.8M solution of sodium sulphite, 0.4M solution of ammonium sulphate and 0.2M solution of disodium phosphate. In sodium chloride solution it was observed that the solubility was high at 0.6M for sesame meal and 0.8M for groundnut meal.