Nutritional studies make little reference to essential amino acids to explain undernutrition in protein-energy malnutrition. This study aimed to carry out biochemical characterization and amino acid profiling of Detarium microcarpum and Adansonia digitata fruit pulps and Moringa oleifera leaf powder to show their contribution to protein balance. Biochemical analyses and amino acid profiles were carried out using standard methods and statistically analyzed using XLstat 2016 software. Results are expressed on a dry matter basis. Moringa powder had the highest ash, lipid and protein contents, at 10.72%, 8.75% and 23.85% respectively, compared with 4.14%, 1.99% and 4.19% for Detarium. Adansonia pulp had the lowest lipid and protein contents, at 1.36% and 1.83% respectively. In terms of total amino acids, Moringa powder had the highest content at 15.59%, while baobab pulp had the lowest at 2.18%. Essential amino acids for Moringa powder were higher and more balanced than for fruit. Histidine was absent in Adansonia digitata pulp, while methionine was absent in both Adansonia digitata and Detarium microcarpum pulps. Thus, blending the three resources could result in products with high nutritional value.

Adansonia digitata, Amino acids, Detarium microcarpum, Food supplementation, Moringa oleifera, Nutritional composition