Amino acids occur in different concentrations within different food types. We have complied information on the most important amino acids and their concentrations within certain foods. The respective amino acid and protein values are indicated as a percentage per 100 grams and apply to raw foods. Once food is cooked, frozen or processed, its amino acid/protein concentration reduces.
Foods Richest in Amino Acids
Arginine: 0.9%
Cysteine and Methionine: 0.8%
Glutamine and glutamic acid: 5.18%
Histidine: 0.78%
Tryptophan: 0.37%
Total protein content: 23.5%
Arginine: 1.54%
Cysteine and Methionine: 0.93%
Glutamine and glutamic acid: 4.13%
Histidine: 0.85%
Tryptophan: 0.29%
Total protein content: 22.0%
Arginine: 1.52%
Cysteine and Methionine: 1.02%
Glutamine and glutamic acid: 3.91%
Histidine: 0.99%
Tryptophan: 0.30%
Total protein content: 22.0%
Arginine: 1.2%
Cysteine and Methionine: 0.75%
Glutamine and glutamic acid: 3.54%
Histidine: 0.78%
Tryptophan: 0.23%
Total protein content: 18.0%
Arginine: 0.89%
Cysteine and Methionine: 0.76%
Glutamine and glutamic acid: 1.81%
Histidine: 0.33% Tryptophan: 0.23%
Total protein content: 12.9%
Arginine: 1.39%
Cysteine and Methionine: 0.7%
Glutamine and glutamic acid: 3.05%
Histidine: 0.60%
Tryptophan: 0.82%
Total protein content: 8%
Cysteine and Methionine: 0.56%
Glutamine & Glutamic acid: -%
Histidine: 0.35% Tryptophan: 0.13%
Total protein content: 13.0%
Arginine: 1.18%
Cysteine and Methionine: 0.9%
Glutamine and glutamic acid: 3.23%
Histidine: 0.52%
Tryptophan: 0.21%
Total protein content: 18.2%
Arginine: 2.09%
Cysteine and Methionine: 0.47%
Glutamine and glutamic acid: 3.96%
Histidine: 0.36%
Tryptophan: 0.17%
Total protein content: 14.4%
Arginine: 0.87%
Cysteine and Methionine: 0.63%
Glutamine and glutamic acid: 3.08%
Histidine: 0.30%
Tryptophan: 0.19%
Total protein content: 12.5%
Meat, dairy products and seafood offer the best sources of amino acids because they are protein rich. However, plant derived food also provide a source of protein and amino acids.
Percentage of Protein Concentration in Plant Derived Foods Per 100g
| Soybeans (dry) | 33.0 g |
| Wheat germ | 26.6 g |
| Lentils (dry) | 23.3 g |
| Wholemeal spelled flour | 13.3 g |
| Wheat flour | 10.0 g |
| Tofu | 8.1 g |
| Lentils (cooked) | 7.4 g |
| White bread | 7.3 g |
| Whole wheat bread | 7.0 g |
| Pumpernickel | 6.8 g |
| Ryebread | 6.8 g |
| Bean sprouts | 5.3 g |
| Pasta (cooked, drained) | 4.0 g |
| Broccoli | 3.3 g |
| Cauliflower | 2.5 g |
| Rice (cooked, peeled) | 1.9 g |
| Beetroot | 1.5 g |
| Carrot | 1.0 g |
