Influence of Trace Elements upon Plant Protein Composition

Abstract

MULDER'S work¹ has shown that whereas macro-elements did not alter the amino-acid composition of potato protein, they did significantly alter the amino-acid composition of its soluble non-protein nitrogenous fraction. The influence of micro-nutrients on the amino-acid composition of plant proteins has not been properly studied, although there is evidence which suggests it might be appreciable². There is, in fact, reason for believing that micro-elements may alter the relative proportions of the amino-acids in plant proteins. If such is the case, this effect would be of great interest in animal and human nutrition, especially since deficiencies in trace elements are widespread³, as is infant protein malnutrition (kwashiorkor), which appears to be primarily the result of amino-acid deficiency⁴.