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.