The Metabolism of Nitrogen-Containing Compounds

Nitrogen, Potassium, Sulfur Fertilization, and Protein Content of Sweet Potato Roots1

“…As much as 40% of the N in 'Jewel' sweet potatoes may be in non-protein N (10). The major component of the non-protein N is asparagine (ca 60%), suggesting that this fraction may be a N pool (7,11). When sweet potatoes are eaten, the ingested asparagine can furnish N for biosynthesis of non-essential amino acids; thus, it contributes to protein value of the sweet potatoes only when essential amino acids are not limiting.…”