摘要：

Catalogued varieties of cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) from the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, Nigeria, were analysed for crude and 'true' protein ( nitrogen × 6·25) content, amino acid composition and trypsin inhibitor activity (TIA). Crude protein values ranged from 23% to 31·3% and 'true' protein from 20·7% to 27·3% (values on a dry weight basis). In comparison with the Provisional Amino Acid Scoring Pattern of FAO (1973), the amino acid values for all varieties were found to be low in methionine and higher in lysine, leucine, isoleucine and phenylalanine + tyrosine. Values for threonine were variable with respect to the Pattern. No relationship between protein content and content of methionine was found, despite one being previously reported between protein content and content of sulphur-containing amino acids. All cowpeas contained TIA, with two varieties showing exceptionally high levels.

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