Amino Acid Profile of Leaf Protein Concentrates and Bagasse of Jute Plant (Corchorus olitorius) in Edo State Nigeria

Abstract

Jute (Corchorus olitorius) is an abundant and underutilized leafy plant traditionally valued for its fiber and culinary uses in West Africa. Its leaves are rich in proteins and bioactive compounds, making them promising candidates for protein recovery. This study aimed to investigate the amino acid composition of jute leaf meal (JLM), jute leaf protein concentrate (JLPC), and jute leaf bagasse (JLB) to identify their potential as a nutritional supplement in human and animal nutrition. The research employed standard acid and alkaline hydrolysis followed by amino acid quantification using an automated amino acid analyzer (Sykam S 433 Amino Acid Analyzer). Results obtained revealed significant differences (p<0.05) in the amino acid profiles of the three sample types. JLPC consistently 
demonstrated the highest concentrations of both essential and non-essential amino acids, including leucine (4.51 g/100 g), glutamic acid (5.78 g/100 g), and aspartic acid (4.68 g/100 g), reflecting the efficacy of the protein concentration method. In contrast, JLM and JLB exhibited lower amino acid values, with JLB being notably lower, though still containing residual nutrients. The enrichment of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) such as leucine, isoleucine, and valine in JLPC underscores its potential in supporting muscle growth and recovery. Additionally, higher levels of lysine and methionine in JLPC enhance its nutritional value in plant-based diets, often limited in these amino acids. These findings support the nutritional viability of JLPC as a functional food ingredient or animal feed supplement. This study serves as a basis for optimization of processing techniques to improve amino acid retention and evaluate the application products in human and animal nutrition