As mentioned melinjo, most people probably know him as a raw material chips with his trademark sense of bitterness. There are people who abstain because of fear of melinjo uric acid. But, you know, beans rich in antioxidants and can melinjo increase endurance?Researchers from the University of Jember, Tri Agus Siswoyo, considered that the antioxidant activity of seeds is equivalent to vitamin C. melinjo This antioxidant activity obtained from the high protein concentrations, 90-10 percent, within each seed melinjo.
The main protein is very effective in eliminating free radicals causes various diseases such as hypertension, high cholesterol, a narrowing of blood vessels, and premature aging.
Great potential that is contained in a seed or Gnetum gnemon melinjo made sure melinjo Tri is a suitable source of functional protein used as a food supplement nutrasetikal (nutritious food for health), including to prevent and treat disease. Moreover melinjo seeds are easy to obtain.
Cheap Supplements
Recognized until recently had no formal studies on the use of seed proteins as sources of antioxidants melinjo. In fact, if the use of antioxidant peptides from hydrolysis gnemon Gnetum seed was successful, will be available nutrasetikal supplements can be cheap and safe alternative.
Unlike in the country, Japan has already looked at the potential of antioxidant from the seeds of this Gnetaceae family. Tri research results on isolation and characterization of antioxidant peptide from the seeds of this melinjo making it one recipient of research funds from the Indonesia Toray Science Foundation, a foundation established textile company and Japan's largest synthetic fiber.
Similar ginkgo
Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) revealed, melinjo including the evolution of an ancient plant near the existing plant ginkgo biloba in Japan. These same reasons make the Japanese people are interested to develop it.
Ginkgo is the oldest tree species that has grown over 150-200 million years and is trusted as a brain tonic for strengthening the memory. Ginkgo leaves also have strong antioxidant properties and plays an important role in the oxidation of free radicals cause premature aging and senile dementia.
However, not merely an ancient plant that makes the Tri interested in researching the plant that grows in Southeast Asia, but melinjo resistance to disease, good bacteria, fungi, and pests. For two years studying melinjo, Tri has examines the interaction between starch and lipids in seeds melinjo, protein stability to heat and melinjo phenolic content, as well as the source of flavonoid antioxidants.
Natural antimicrobials
Until now, biochemistry doctorate from Osaka Prefecture University, Japan, that have isolated two types of proteins that show high antioxidant activity. From all parts of the plant melinjo diekstraknya ever, ranging from leaves, bark, roots, until the beans, Tri find the most potential of seed proteins. Research shows this is equivalent to the antioxidant activity of synthetic antioxidant BHT (Butylated Hydroxytolune).
Of the two protein fractions that, found another function melinjo as a natural antimicrobial. That means melinjo protein can also be used as a natural food preservative as well as new drugs for diseases caused by bacteria. Gg-AMP peptides isolated from the seeds of a potential active melinjo indicated inhibit some types of positive and gram negative bacteria.
Healthy snacks
To obtain its benefits, can be eaten directly melinjo by boiling and used as a snack, or as a mixture of vegetables. It was also recognized activist medicinal plants, Pudji Rahayu, from Bekasi. He often utilizes melinjo seeds as ingredients to add endurance.
"The trick is to boil it, like a boiled peanut or vegetable mixture made with tamarind leaves. People are not many people know that if melinjo have antioxidant functions, which are generally known to a new high purinnya content and can cause uric acid," he explained.
Simply boiled or disayur
No complicated actually utilize melinjo seeds. Simply boil it, such as boiling beans, or make mixed vegetable or vegetable acids ve. Because that is used is the seeds, how to eat them is also quite easy. Can be eaten immediately (used as snack or dessert) after the skin peeled.
Choosing melinjo actually no specific benchmarks. All types can basically be used. If you do not want to get seeds that are still very soft, with young melinjo can choose a green skin. Conversely, old melinjo aeneous, seeded a little strong.
If you have a high purine content or at risk of uric acid (gout), should not consume too much melinjo. The recommended dose of normal consumption quite a handful of beans boiled in a day melinjo. Remember, before boiling, melinjo seeds should be washed until completely clean.
