The Amino Acids Content of Some Iraqi Dates

SUMMARY –Amino acid content and nutritive value of three varieties of Iraqi dates was studied. Protein of the date was acid hydrolyzed for 24 hr and the amino acid content determined in a Phoenix automatic analyzer. The protein content on a fresh weight basis was 1.96% for Zahdi, 1.89% for Hillawi and 2.38% for Sayer. The following amino acids were present in these varieties: lysine, histidine, arginine, aspartic acid, threonine, glutamic acid, serine, prolin, glycine, alanine, cystine, valine, methionine, isoleucine, leucine, tyrosine and phenylalanine. Glutamic acid was present in highest concentration and Sayer variety contained more amino acids than Hillawi and Zahdi. Tryptophan and half‐cystine may have been destroyed during acid hydrolysis.