Nutritional, Anti-Nutritional, and Antioxidant Properties of Several Wild Almond Species from Iran

Three different sources of Iranian wild almond (Amygdalus scoparia from Beyza, Fars Province, A. scoparia from Borazjan, Bushehr Province, and A. hausknechtii from Firouzabad, Fars Province) were evaluated for their amino acid compositions and protein nutritive quality attributes. Hydrophobic and acidic amino acids were the most abundant amino acids found in the seed protein. When compared to the (FAO/WHO)- recommended essential amino acid pattern for an adult, lysine, sulphur amino acids (methionine+cysteine) and histidine are considered the first, the second, and the third limiting amino acids, respectively, in the protein obtained from the wild almond sources. Also, the protein and energy values of the studied wild almonds were lower than those of the domestic almond. Wild almonds were also found to be rich sources of minerals; particularly calcium, zinc, and phosphorous. Wild almonds also had higher levels of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activities than those of the domestic almond. Furthermore, amygdalin, a cyanogenic glycoside mainly found in the fruits and seeds of Rosacea family, was obtained at significantly higher levels in the wild species (6.5-7.2%, wet basis) when compared to that in the studied domestic almond (0.9%, w/w). Overall, the results of this study show that there is a great potential for the application of wild almonds in the food industry.