# Effect of Processing Methods on Amino Acid and Fatty Acid Composition of _Parkia biglobosa_ Seeds
## 4 Discussion
The PI value (Table 2) for TArAA was also higher than the value (3.9-5.3 g/100 g) previously reported by [PERSON] et al. [27] on _Phaseolus vulgaris_ L. but similar to the values (9.9-21.5) reported by [PERSON] et al. [30]. The PI samples are basic in nature because they have lower total amino acids (TAAA) and total sulphuric amino acids (TSAA) but with higher basic amino acids. Most plant proteins have a higher level of cystine/TSAA ratio, whereas in animal proteins the ratio is lower [45]. The cystine/TSAA ratio value (37.59 g/100 g) for the PI sample was observed to fall within the animal protein range. This finding was contrary to the previous report of [PERSON] [46] on fermented _Parkia biglobosa_ seeds (44.4 g/100 g). The predicted protein efficiency ratio (PER) is used in protein evaluation by measuring the effectiveness of protein through growth [17]. The PER value for the PI sample (Table 2) was observed to be higher than some reported legumes, such as cowpea (1.21) and millet (1.62), but similar to pigeon pea (1.82) and casein (2.7) [29]. This could imply that the sample is a good source of protein. The efficiency of protein utilisation in the body is determined by biological values (BV). Animal BV values are usually higher than plant sources due to the presence of limiting amino acids [29]. Our finding showed that the biological values (BV) for the PI sample (Table 2) compared favourably well with some BV reference standards such as wheat gluten (64), soy protein (74), and casein (77) [29]. The essential amino acid index (EAAI) is a useful tool in ascertaining food formulation for protein quality [47]. Despite that, it does not account for the difference in protein due to the various processing methods. The EAAI values for the PI sample (Table 2) compared favourably well with some standard references like soybeans (72.8), beef (74.3), fish (76.0), and milk (84.5) [48; 49]. The Leu/Ile ratio of the samples (Table 2) was observed to be lower in comparison with the recommended value (2.36) [17]. The high level of leucine in a diet is known to impair niacin and tryptophan absorption in the gastrointestinal tract, which may lead to pillagra [41]. Hence, the sample could serve as an added advantage to amino acid balance in complementing cereals that are higher in leucine but low in leucine and tryptophan. The amino acids scores (AAS) for the samples compared favourably with whole hen's egg profiles, preschool child requirements, and provisional scoring patterns [20]. Met + Cys (TSAA) are the limiting amino acids (LAA) for all the samples (Table 5). This was in accordance with the previous reports by [PERSON] et al. [27] and [PERSON] et al. [49]. This implies that Met + Cys (TSAA) could be supplemented with the samples to meet standard daily requirements. The essential neutral fatty acids, stearic acid, and oleic acid dominated the saturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids of the samples, respectively (Table 6). Oleic acid has previously been reported to be the monounsaturated fatty acids dominant in some plant foods [50]. Oleic acids are also found predominately in olive, macadamia nut, peanut, and canola oils [51]. Essential neutral fatty acids have been demonstrated to not effect cholesterol. Abnormal cholesterol synthesis has been associated with cardiovascular diseases [52]. The polyunsaturated fatty acids showed the highest values when compared with saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids in the fatty acid composition (Table 6). Plant food, such as avocados, was reported to be rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids [50]. Linoleic acid is the dominant polyunsaturated fatty acid; this was validated previously in a report by [PERSON] and [PERSON] [50]. Adequate intake of essential fatty acids such as linoleic acid could prevent cardiovascular diseases and diabetes [37].