Amino Acid Patterns in the Aerial Parts of Echium L. and Anchusa L. Growing in the Sand Dunes of Turkey

Two species species of Echium and two of Anchusa growing naturally in the sand dunes were analysed for total protein and amino acid compositions in their aerial parts. Total protein contents were detected between 7.55% (Echium italicum) and 12.97% (Anchusa officinalis). Valuable concentrations of the essential amino acids were detected in all species generally. The highest quantities of the amino acids were obtained from A. officinalis, while the lowest levels were detected in E. italicum except for aspartic acid and glutamic acid. Broad range of concentrations for leucine (544-1497 mg / 100 g) and lower levels in methionine (127-289 mg / 100 g) as essential amino acids were observed in all species. Leucine (1497 mg / 100 g), alanine (1339 mg / 100 g), phenylalanine (1016 mg / 100 g), threonine (935 mg / 100 g), proline (935 mg / 100 g), glycine (907 mg/ 100 g) and valine (859 mg / 100g) exhibited critical levels in A. Officinalis. Concentrations of some amino acids including aspartic acid, glutamic acid, phenylalanin, histidine, gycine and serine suggested discriminative patterns at generic level. Significant differences were calculated (p<0.001) in amino acid quantities of the species as additional chemotaxonomical markers. Essential amino acids were found at considerable levels compared to FAO reference values. Investigated species as alternative rich sources of essential amino acids may be evaluated as new crops which can be cultivated in saline soils and improving of the agricultural crops in the field.