Nutritional composition of underutilized bayberry (Myrica rubra Sieb. et Zucc.) kernels

The kernels of five bayberry cultivars (Biqi, Zaodamei, Ding-ao, Dongkui and Wandao), grown in Zhejiang Province, China, were analyzed for their proximate composition, protein fractionation, amino acid profile, fatty acid composition and mineral contents. The antinutritive compounds, tannin and cyanide, were also quantified. These bayberry kernels possessed 25.0–27.64% DW protein. A majority of storage protein in bayberry kernels was of the globulin form. The kernel protein was rich in methionine, arginine, aspartic and glutamic acids while limiting amino acid was lysine. The most outstanding feature was the abundant fat content (62.5–68.1% DW) of kernels. Approximately 84.9–90.1% of the fatty acids were unsaturated with oleic acid (43.3–50.7%) and linoleic acid (34.1–46.8%). Bayberry kernels were good sources of magnesium, potassium and calcium. These results may offer a scientific basis for use of the under-exploited bayberry seeds.