Chemical and nutritional studies on hanshi (<i>perilla frutescens</i>), a traditional oilseed from northeast india

Abstract

Abstract Perilla frutescens , an edible oilseed of Northeast India, was evaluated for its nutrient composition and protein quality. It was found to be a rich source of protein (17.0%) and fat (51.7%). The fatty acid profile indicated that perilla oil is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as linolenic (56.8%) and linoleic (17.6%). The amino acid composition showed that valine was the limiting amino acid of perilla protein. The protein efficiency ratio of the seed protein (2.07) was lower than that of casein (2.99), but comparable to common oilseeds. True digestibility of the seed protein (82.6%) was also lower than that of casein (89.3%).