1.4 ProteinTotalnitrogenous substance of a plant consists of complex structure with amino acidsand peptide bonds. It contains the elements carbon, sulfur, nitrogen, hydrogen,oxygen and some other like (iron, phosphorus), also acting as enzyme, servingas hormones and support immune system.1.4.1Amino AcidsAminoacids are the building blocks of protein; they are organic compounds containingcarboxyl and amine groups and a specific side chain (R group).
Carbon, oxygenand hydrogen are the basic elements of amino acids1.4.2Protein and Amino Acids in OkraOkra contains protein about1.93/100gm (a/c to research). Okra is rich in following amino acids (accordingto research paper)· Threonine(0.065/100gm)· Alanine(0.
073/100gm)· Arginine(0.084/100gm)· Valine(0.091/100gm)· Isoleucine(0.069/100gm) · Leucine(0.105/100gm)· Glutamic acid(0.271/100gm) 1.4.
3Impact of Protein & Amino Acids in Human BodyWhenprotein is taken, human body use it in repairing and building of tissues,mainly use to regulate hormones and enzymes activity and also plays animportant role in the maintenance of bones, cartilages, muscles blood and skin.Following amino acids are present in okra which helps to maintain human health.1.4.
3.1ThreonineProteinsare biosynthesized by threonine, it consists of carboxyl and amino group andside chain of hydroxyl group which makes it polar and uncharged amino acid.Theyare essential amino acid which regulates normal protein balance in the body andhelp to promote normal growth, it plays an important role in the formation ofserine and glycine.
It imparts in the formation of strong and elastic muscles,strengthen bones and build tooth enamel, also help in recoverig injuries andwounds.Threoninealso regulates fat and fatty acid digestion, it combines with methione andaspartic acid to perform lipotropic function of liver, if one could haveinsufficient threonine in body so in result liver failure occur due to fatdeposition and antibodies are also produced by threonine which leads to treatdiseases like depression.1.4.3.2AlanineAlaninecontains alpha amino and alpha carboxylic acid group and a side chain of methylgroup, which makes it nonpolar. It is basically non-essential amino acid. Itperforms many essential functions in human body like regulates sugar and acidmetabolism, allow body to convert glucose into energy, prevents cellsdestruction under extreme aerobic conditions and it also remove enough toxinsfrom body.
1.4.3.3ArginineEssentialamino acids, made up of carboxylic acid and amino group and a side chain of 3-carbonaliphatic chain.
It performs its role in the treatment of chronic diseases likecongestive heart failure (CHF), high BP, diabetes, dementia and maleinfertility and blockage of arteries are also treated by arginine because itsproduces a chemical nitric oxide which helps to wider the vessels and alloweasily flow of blood from it.It’salso used with the combination of other medications for the treatment ofdifferent types of cancers (mainly breast cancer), for weight loss and for thereduction of different infections1.4.
3.4ValineItis essential, nonpolar aliphatic aminoacid, consist of alpha amino and alpha carboxylic group and a side chain ofisopropyl group and present in the interior of protein. It has three branches(BCAAs) along with leucine and isoleucine.Itstabilizes human muscle by the supply of extra glucose to release energy duringphysical movement, that’s why people whom exercise a lot should take valine forthe buildup of their muscle mass because its regulate the recovery of muscletissues, it also helps to repair the muscles or organs which was destructed dueto excess use of alcohol or drugs.1.4.3.5IsoleucineItsnonpolar and uncharged aliphatic amino acid, made up of amino and carboxylicacid group and a hydrocarbon side chain.
There are three types of branchedamino acids in human body leucine, isoleucine and valine and they all helps torecover muscle issues in the body. Isoleucinehelps in the healing and repairing of damaged muscles and clotting of blood,and also maintain the energy level in body by regulate blood sugar level. 1.4.3.6 LeucineIt’sone of the essential, non-polar aliphatic amino acid; consist of amino andcarboxylic group and a side chain of isobutyl group.It’simportant for muscle protein synthesis (MPS), leucine is the amino acid whichpromotes mTOR and regulates over all function of making muscles, and plays animportant role in weight loss.
1.4.3.7Glutamic AcidGlutamic acid is madeup of one amino and two carboxyl groups, savory flavor (umami touch) in foodsare due to this acid. Glutamine (another amino acid) and glutamic acid are ableto interchange and transform into other, and during this transformation ammoniais detoxified from brain easily.It helps in theregulation of magnesium, sodium and potassium because of its essential propertyas a neurotransmitter, also helps in the breakdown of folic acid and allowshuman body to utilize it.
It’s mainly present in spinal cord and brain ofhuman.1.5 MineralsMineralsare define as natural inorganic constituents of food like, iron, calcium,magnesium, zinc etc and it is essential component required by humans to performfunctions of body.
1.5.1Mineralsin OkraOkracontain number of minerals such as (according to research)· Potassium (299mg/100gm)· Calcium (82mg/100gm)· Phosphorus(61mg/100gm)· Magnesium(57mg/100gm)1.5.1.1PotassiumItis third most important mineral as essential nutrient, necessary for themaintenance of several functions in human body such as the balance ofelectrolyte and to regulate the body fluid. It imparts in the function oforgans and prevents heart, nervous system, kidneys disorders by maintaining pHlevel in body.
1.5.1.2CalciumItsmost essential nutrient in human for the maintenance of teeth and bones, allowsmuscles to contract properly, and helps to cure blood clots.
Mainly calcium isstored in teeth and bones and the remaining are able to regulate bodyfunctions. Osteoporosis (bone problem) also prevent by the proper intake ofcalcium.1.5.1.3PhosphorusPhosphorusis also very important nutrient for the health of our bones and teeth, calciumand phosphorus combines and form calcium phosphate to strengthen the bone andas well as also plays a crucial role in the formation of sugar base backbonefor RNA and DNA.1.5.1.4Magnesium It’svery crucial nutrient for the human, it’s essential to metabolize calcium inbody; it deals with the heart issues like atherosclerosis and high bloodpressure and also help out in Alzheimer’s disease, by generating new neuronsand reduced brain inflammation.