Yi Yi Ren (Coix lacryma-jobi)

Yi Yi Ren (Coix lacryma-jobi), commonly known as Job's tears or coix seed, has the following nutritional composition per 100g dry weight: Macronutrients: Carbohydrates 52-79g (primarily starch, with resistant starch fractions ~5-10% that contribute to prebiotic effects and slower digestion), Protein 13-18g (rich in glutelin and prolamin fractions, containing essential amino acids including leucine ~1.2g, lysine ~0.5g, though lysine-limited compared to ideal protein), Fats 4-7g (including linoleic acid ~55-60% of fatty acid profile, oleic acid ~25-30%, palmitic acid ~12-15%), Dietary Fiber 0.8-2.2g (with both soluble and insoluble fractions). Micronutrients: Calcium 20-40mg, Phosphorus 200-300mg, Magnesium 50-80mg, Potassium 200-280mg, Iron 1.5-3.5mg, Zinc 1.5-2.5mg, B vitamins including Thiamine (B1) 0.2-0.4mg, Riboflavin (B2) 0.1-0.2mg, Niacin (B3) 1.5-2.5mg, Vitamin E (tocopherols) 0.5-1.2mg. Bioactive Compounds: Coixenolide (lipid fraction) ~0.1-0.5% with demonstrated anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory properties; Coixol (6-methoxybenzoxazolinone) ~0.1-0.3% with analgesic and muscle-relaxant activity; Polysaccharides (coixan A, B, C) ~5-8% with immunomodulatory and hypoglycemic effects; Phytosterols including beta-sitosterol and stigmasterol ~50-100mg; Polyphenols and flavonoids ~0.3-0.8% with antioxidant activity (DPPH IC50 approximately 2-5 mg/mL). Bioavailability Notes: Starch digestibility is moderate; soaking and cooking significantly improve nutrient bioavailability by reducing phytic acid content (~0.8-1.2g/100g raw), which otherwise binds minerals like iron, zinc, and calcium and reduces their absorption by 20-50%. The coixenolide fraction shows better bioavailability when consumed with dietary fats. Resistant starch content supports colonic fermentation, producing short-chain fatty acids beneficial for gut health. Processing methods such as roasting can reduce some heat-sensitive B vitamins by 10-20% but may enhance certain bioactive compound concentrations.