Alternative Sources of Plant Protein in Himalayan States.

Tereza Vachková

Bachelor's thesis

Abstract:

This work focused on alternative sources of proteins in Asian countries, where part of the territory occurs in the Himalayan mountains. The work aimed to summarize alternative sources of plant proteins and their occurrence in selected countries through the research of studies obtained from electronic and literary databases and sources. The Himalayan states were considered to be: the Kingdom of Bhutan, Pakistan, Nepal, the Tibetan Autonomous Region, and India. The introductory part of the work informed about the importance of plant proteins in the diet from the first beginnings of human evolution. It compared whether plant proteins could be considered a sufficient source of protein, in regards to the digestibility of the protein and the number of amino acids with which it is formed. The second part of the work presented life and agriculture in these countries, focusing on the most affected mountain areas—problems in individual countries, such as food shortages, high mortality, and poverty. The third part was devoted to a total of 54 neglected and underused plants that can be a valuable nutritional source of protein intake. The summary table describes the individual species of plants with their climatic requirements, nutritional values, and how to use their edible parts. From these plants, 11 plants, namely: Nelumbo nucifera, Lagenaria siceraria, Guizotia abyssinica (L.f.) Cass., Hibiscus sabdariffa L., Limonia acidissima L., Lupinus albus L., Rumex vesicarius, Vigna aconitifolia (Jacq.) Marechal, Macrotyloma uniflorum, Phaseolus coccineus L., Moringa oleifera were selected with a protein content exceeding 20 g / 100 g of edible portions. In which it was described in more detail: ecology, botanical description, nutritional values, method of use, amino acids.

Keywords

aminoacids, Himalayan, nutrition, Asian countries, protein, plant, neglected, underutilized, crops of the future

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 15. 5. 2020

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: Ing. Iva Kučerová, Ph.D.

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Tropical AgriSciences

Bachelor programme / field:
Agricultural Specialization / Agriculture in Tropics and Subtropics