Amino Acid Profiles and Cytotoxicity of Mirabilis expansa (Ruiz and Pav.) Standl.; Baseline Data for A Rare Indigenous Andean Crop

Rare, indigenous, Andean Mirabilis expansa (Ruiz and Pav.) Standl. (Nyctaginaceae), has promise as a new, green, climate change resistant crop for arid areas. Leaves and stems were used as fodder, roots and rhizomes for human food. Two crop varieties of M. expansa were grown in lysimeter sand plots in southern Illinois. Herbage and root profiles were compared to amino acid profiles for other crops, eggs and milk. Quinoa, wheat, soybeans, and skim milk had greater percentages than M. expansa of all individual amino acids reported. However, M. expansa samples have all essential amino acids, and matched or exceeded other sources examined for percentages of crude and total protein. Total protein per 100 g dry sample averaged 5.98 g in roots and 24.43 g in leaves. Cytotoxic, non-volatile micro molecules were not detected in methanol extracts of M. expansa assayed against HT-29 colon cancer cells. Processing should improve palatability and food safety for this crop.