In the search for compounds with nutritional and functional value, seeds from several Neltuma species were examined for lipid, protein and phenolic components. Lipid contents ranged between 9.3 - 12.5 g/100 g (seed DW), and showed MUFA and PUFA predominating largely. Lipids were also a good source of tocopherols (170 – 603 mg total tocopherols/kg). Proteins accounted for 14.7 - 35.5 g/100 g seed. Essential amino acids (EAA) comprised 26.1 – 40.2 % of the total AA content. Based on the EAA score, proteins from all the species analysed were deficient in leucine, isoleucine and valine, but could meet requirements for histidine, threonine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, and lysine. The qualitative patterns of phenolic compounds were similar each other (predominance of flavonoids, particularly apigenin derivatives). Keeping in mind the examined chemical components, Neltuma seeds have potential value as a source of healthy macronutrients and bioactive compounds.