Some chemical properties, mineral content and amino acid composition of cowpeas (Vigna sinensis (L.) Savi)

Chemical properties, mineral content and amino acid composition of three cowpea genotypes (Karagöz, Samandăg and Sarikiz) were determined. Almost all investigated characteristics (except for potassium, sulphur, copper, proline, and sarcosine) were revealed to be statistically important. Chemical properties of cowpeas showed that protein ranged from 27.6 to 30.1%, carbohydrate 56.3-60.0%, ash 3.8-4.2%, fat 2.0-2.3% and moisture 5.9-7.2%. The amounts of potassium, phosphorus, calcium, sulphur, magnesium, iron, zinc, manganese and copper were adequate to meet macronutrient and micronutrient demand in human diets. The ratios of 22 amino acids showed that methionine, tryptophan and tyrosine amino acids were limiting components. According to the results, the cowpea genotypes were rich in the essential amino acids and chemical composition.