Studies on samh seeds (Mesembryanthemum forsskalei Hochst) growing in Saudi Arabia: 2: Chemical composition and microflora of samh seeds.

The chemical composition of samh seeds have been investigated. Proximate analysis showed a composition of 22.25% protein, 5.7% moisture, 5.6% fat, 4.0% ash, 9.7% crude fiber, and the remainder being total carbohydrates. Mineral element analysis revealed that potassium, magnesium, sodium and calcium were present as the major elements. Iron, manganese, zinc and copper were found at lower levels. However, lead was not detected in the samh seeds. Gas-liquid chromatographic analysis of the methylester of the fatty acids of the samh seeds oil revealed the presence of fourteen fatty acids. Linoleic and oleic acids were the principle unsaturated fatty acids. While palmitic acid was the main saturated fatty acid. Amino acid analysis of the samh seeds showed the presence of seventeen amino acids including eight essential amino acids. Glutamic acid, arginine, and aspartic acid were the major amino acids. Cystine and proline were present in trace amounts. These results some of which have not been reported elsewhere indicate the high nutritional potential of Saudi samh seeds. The total aerobic bacterial count and total sporeformers of seeds were 19 x 10(7) and 5 x 10(4) cfu/g respectively, thus the enterobacteriaceae, B cereus and yeast and molds were 5 x 10(2), 1 x 10(2) and 7 x 10(2) respectively. The seeds were Staph. free and the samh extract had no antimicrobial effect.