Chemical characterisation of Tylosema fassoglensis (Kotschy) Torre & Hillc oilseed

Tylosema fassoglensis seeds contain high levels of lipids (240–300 g kg −1 ) and proteins (446 g kg −1 dry weight). Major fatty acids contained in the oil are linoleic (36–42% of the total fatty acids) oleic (32–35%) and palmitic (11.5–15.7%) acids. The proteins are characteristic with their high levels of lysine, proline and tyrosine. Due to their very low content, both methionine and cystine appear to be the limiting amino acids. Tylosema fassoglensis defatted meal contains substantial amounts of trypsin inhibitors and phytates 295 TUI mg −1 and 35 g kg −1 dry weight, respectively.