Varietal Difference of Protein Content and Amino Acid Composition in Sesame

The protein content of seed meal were examined to evaluate genotypes of higher protein content from 164 peanut germplasms. The variations in amino acids content were investigated from nine Korean leading varieties grown at five locations. Amino acids contents of protein fractions were also ana lysed in the present study, too. The results of the study were summarized as fallows. The seed protein of 164 peanut varieties averaged 24.5% ranging from 19.5% to 28.7%, showed 9.2% varietal variation in proteins. Differences were not observed in protein content between plant types, however, protein contents were higher in small-seeded than large seeded varieties. The differences were more greater particulaly in Spanish type varieties. The varieties introduced from Taiwan and Philippine showed higher protein contents, and the cultivars or lines bred in Korea and introduced from Japan were lower in protein contents. protein contents showed non-significantly negative correlations with 100-kernel weight and pod weight per plant, but positive correlations were observed between oil and protein content in all types of peanuts. Significant differences among the varieties and locations were observed for total, essential and non-essential amino acids contents, and aspartic acid. Locational differences for arginine, lysine, methionine, threonine, glutamic acid, glycine and tyrosine, and varietal difference for phenylalanene were revealed as significant. The limiting amino acids from the leading varieties were isoleucine, methionine, threonine, alanine and tyrosine, comparing with FAO recommanding levels of amino acids. Among the protein fractions prolamins was the highest in total amino acids, but essential amino acids was the highest in globulins