Chemical, Functional Properties and Amino Acid Composition of Raw and Defatted Cashew Kernel (Anacardium occidentale)

The proximate, minerals, anti nutrients, functional properties and amino acid of cashew kernel were studied. The results showed that the raw sample had high crude fat (48.1±0.5%), while the defatted sample had high crude protein (31.5±0.1%) and high crude fibre (4.21±0.01%). The samples contained nutritionally valuable minerals and essential amino acid for body development. The samples also contained low levels of anti-nutrients: tannin (0.71-1.00%) and oxalate (4.63-5.75mg/g) which would not retard the functionalities of the food properties.