Nutritional responses of rats fed mixtures of plant and animal proteins

Twenty four male rats (45–65 g) were used to determine the nutritional responses to mixed plant and animal protein diets. Rats were fed various mixtures of sorghum (S), pigeon pea (PP), bread fruit (TAP) plus crayfish (CR) to provide 1.6 g N/100g of daily diet for a 35-day study period. Three different diets were fed to 6 rats assigned to each diet on the basis of body weight. Combination of PP:CR caused increases in N intake and retention, weight gain, and PER higher than for those of the other test groups. Its values for N intake and retention, and BV were higher than for those of the control except for food intake, NPU, weight gain and PER. Substitution of CR (20%) with TAP and PP as supplements to S decreased food intake, weight gain and PER and increased N intake, digested and retained N, NPU and BV. The results appear to indicate that (a) PP:CR blend was better than other blends as judged by the parameters, and (b) TAP and PP were superior to CR alone as supplement to S.     

Protein quality of diets based on tuber,legume, and cereal in weanling rats

Weanling male rats (45–55 g) were studied to evaluate the protein quality of diets based on combinations of yam (YA); dehulled brown bean (DBB), dehulled white bean (DWB); and corn flour (PA) that provided 1.6 g N/100 g of diet. Casein served as the reference protein. Rats fed combinations of PA, DBB, and DWB had increases in food intake, weight gain, N intake, digested and retained N, and liver N compared to those of the casein control group and the other test groups (P < 0.05). Supplementation of YA with DBB or DWB reduced weight gain, protein efficiency ratio (PER), N intake, digested and retained N, NPU and liver N values of the animals when compared with those fed the casein and the other diets containing YA. Combinations of DBB or DWB with PA appear to be the best mixtures as shown by food and N intakes, digested and retained N, liver N, and weight gain. These mixtures may possibly be economic sources of N for weaning children where these are staples in the diet.     

The nutritive value of all-vegetable protein diets based on legume,cereal and tuber in weanling rats

Thirty albino weanling male rats (45–55 g) were divided into five groups of six rats each on the basis of body weight and fed combinations of dehulled brown beans (DBB); parboiled rice (R); and cassava meal (G) which provided 10% protein for 35 days. Casein served as the reference protein. Combinations of DBB (50–80%); with R (18–48%); and G (2%) produced varied effects on body weight, nitrogen (N) intake, N digestibility and retention, BV, liver weight and plasma albumin (P<0.05).The DBB:R:G (70:28:2) blend induced decreases in all the parameters tested except for the BV and PER values. The control group produced digested and retained N, protein efficiency ratio (PER), weight gain and liver weight that were significantly higher than for those of the test diets (P<0.05). These results appear to suggest that starchy foods when blended with legumes at low levels produced good quality protein comparable to casein.     

Growth,liver composition,and calcium balance of rats fed sorghum supplemented with two levels of beans

A 35-day experimental study consisting of 28-day growth and 7-day calcium (Ca) balance periods was conducted to assess the effects of fibre and N ratios on growth and Ca balance of rats. Growth and Ca balance of rats (45–80 g) fed mixtures of cooked (CS) and uncooked (RS) sorghum and dehulled (DB) and undehulled (UB) bean were studied. The diets contained 10% protein. Casein served as the control protein. The control group ate more food except for the group fed the CS:DU (60:40) diets (P<0.05) had higher values for all parameters tested than the test groups. There were increases in food and Ca intakes, fecal Ca, weight gain, protein efficiency ration (PER), liver weight and composition except for the low moisture value for the CS:DS (60:40) group when N ratios were changed from 80:20 to 60:40. These results appear to indicate that fiber and N ratio had significant effects on growth liver composition and calcium balance of the rats.     

Protein requirements of preschool children consuming rice-milk,rice-toasted mung bean,and rice diets

Rice-milk and rice-toasted mung bean diets, and a high-protein rice (IR58 milled rice) were evaluated as part of a study on the protein requirements of toddlers consuming rice-based diets following the multilevel N balance method. Milk or mung bean contributed 1/3 of dietary N. At a daily energy intake of 418 kJ/kg body weight, weight losses were observed for all diets. The safe level of protein intakes obtained allowing 10 mg N/kg body weight/day for miscellaneous integumental losses and 15 mg N/kg body weight/day for growth was 1.11 g/kg body weight/day for the rice-milk diet and 1.34 g for the rice-mung bean diet. Preliminary data on four children indicate a safe level of protein intake of 1.44 g/kg/day for the IR58 milled rice. The protein quality of the high-protein rice as determined by the very short term N balance index on three children was 79–80% relative to milk.     

Studies on weaning diets in Nigeria: 2 protein sources

Protein isolates were extracted from melon, groundnut, and soybean cakes in an aqueous system that could potentially yield both oil and protein from oilseeds quantitatively. Protein isolates obtained were 91.2, 78.6 and 79.5% of the total protein content of melon, groundnut and soybean cakes respectively. Both cakes and isolates were assessed in a rat bioassay while breadfruit, cassava, and corn starch were also investigated as sources of carbohydrate. Results showed that there were no significant differences between feed intake, weight gain and PER of rats fed the cake and the protein isolates except in soybean. Weight gain, PER and NPR were highest in cassava-soybean protein isolate diet followed by cassavacasein diet (control) while performance was only moderate with melon- and groundnutcassava diets. With melon protein isolate, cassava and breadfruit were better carbohydrate sources than corn starch. In simulated weaning diets, cassava-sucrose-melon-soybean protein isolate based diet performed better (weight gain 33.4 g, PER 1.63, NPR 2.23) than a commercial weaning food (weight gain 30.6 g PER 1.57, NPR 2.18) while replacement of sucrose and cassava at 30% by breadfruit yielded a cost effective diet with good performance (weight gain 29.4 g, PER 1.51, NPR 2.12). Diets where soybean protein served as the sole source of protein or breadfruit, white and yellow maize ogi served as the main source of carbohydrate performed only moderately.     

The effects of varying sprouting periods on the nutritional quality of normal yellow corn (Zea mays)

Weanling male albino rats (45-60 g) were used to study the effects of varying sprouting periods on the nutritional quality of normal yellow corn. The yellow corn (YC) was sprouted for 24, 36 and 48 h (SYC24, SYC36, SYC48). The unsprouted corn (UYC) and casein (CA 100) served as negative and positive controls. African yam bean (AYB) was sprouted for 48 h and blended with the corn in a 70:30 (protein basis). Sprouting for 48 h caused decreases in most of the parameters tested except for the liver weight and N and calcium (CA) balance. The 24 h sprouting produced increases except for weight gain and PER, liver weight and N, phosphorus (P) and Ca intake and retention. The UYC produced increases higher than those of the test groups except for digested N, NPU, liver moisture, Fe intake and absorption. Casein significantly increased all parameters than for the test groups except for digested and retained N, P and Fe intakes. The advantages of sprouting for 24 or 36 h out-weighed those of 48 h.     

Protein quality of some Nigerian traditional diets based on the African yambean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa) and pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan)

The protein quality of Nigerian traditional diets based on the African yambean (AYB) and pigeon pea (PP) were performed by in vivo and in vitro bioassays. The individual foods were processed, cooked, dried and mixed to resemble the traditional diets. Weanling male Wistar rats (45–55 g) were used for the bioassay. The rats were fed ad libitum for 35 days of which 28 days were for growth and 7 days for N-balance. All the eleven diets including casein (control) provided 1.6 g N/100 g diet. The parameters tested include PER, growth, N-balance, BV, NPU and apparent digestibility (AD). The rats fed the AYB diets, except AYB: Agidi (Ag), showed superiority in most of the parameters tested. There were significant positive correlations between PER and NPU (r=0.925;p<0.001); PER and AD (r=0.908;p<0.001); PER and body weight gain (r=0.969;p<0.001). The in vitro protein digestibility of the diets was significantly correlated (r=0.80;p<0.01) with the in vivo apparent digestibility. These parameters were used to rank the various diets. Crayfish protein was a better supplement to legume/cereal or legume starchy staple mixtures than leguminous oil seed. However, supplementation of PP: steamed corn (SC) diet with crayfish did not prove beneficial. The result showed that diets based on the African yambean, an under-exploited legume, are nutritious. The need for its reintroduction into the fare of the populace through increased production and appropriate processing technology is stressed. The results of this study can form a base for the standardization of Nigerian diets based on these legumes.     

Protein efficiency ratios and net protein ratios of selected protein foods

As a part of a cooperative study initiated to assess bothin vitro andin vivo protein quality methods, the protein efficiency ratio (PER) and net protein ratios (NPR) of 15 different protein sources were determined. Male weanling Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a 10% protein diet. Fourteen-day NPR and relative NPR (RNPR) values and 14- and 28-day PER and relative PER (RPER) values were calculated for each protein source. When protein quality values were expressed relative to ANRC casein, the 14- and 28-day PER data ranked the protein sources essentially in the same order. RPER values of nonfat dried skim milk (unheated) and tuna were more than 100% that of casein; nonfat dried skim milk (heated), chickpeas, and breakfast sausage were between 50 and 70% of that of casein; and pinto beans and rice-wheat gluten cereal did not support substantial growth of the rat. The NPR method did not always rank the protein sources in the same order as the PER method. For the poor quality proteins, RNPR values were much higher than the RPER values; however, the RNPR and RPER values agreed closely for high quality protein sources.A preliminary report of this work was given at the Annual Meeting of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, Washington, D.C., March 29–April 2, 1987. Fed. Proc. 1987; 46: 889.     

Nutritive value evaluated on rats of new cultivars of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) released in Chile

Five new cultivars of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) recently released were analyzed for their proximate chemical composition and protein biological quality. The crude protein content in these cultivars ranged from 21.9 percent in cultivar Arroz 3 to 26.9 percent in cultivar Tórtola Diana (dry matter basis). Rats fed cultivar Tórtola INIA gained more weight, had a higher protein intake and registered higher PER and NPR than Tórtola corriente. On the other hand, rats consuming cultivars Arroz 3 and Fleetwood had lower weight gain, lower protein intake and lower PER and NPR than cultivar Coscorrón corriente. However, all these cultivars have a relatively good protein value as compared to other plant protein sources.     

Iron and phosphorus utilization in rats fed soaked and dehulled bambara groundnut supplemented with sorghum or crayfish

Thirty-six adult Wistar albino male rats (75–128 g) of age 8 weeks were used to study the effect of dehulled and soaked bambara groundnut combined with sorghum or crayfish on iron and phosphorus balances of rats fed for 10 days. Three out of the ten days were for adjustment and the rest for the balance period. Six diets were formulated and fed to the rats. The mixed protein diets provided 10% protein daily for the entire study period. Casein(CA) served as a reference protein. Rats fed the CA diet had significant decreases (p < 0.05) in food intake, maintenance body weight, phosphorus intake and phosphorus balance when compared with those of the test groups. As judged by iron nutriture, dehulled brown bambara groundnut (DBGB) appeared to be superior to the white variety. Soaking seriously affected iron utilization in brown variety. Dehulling produced significant increases (p < 0.05) in phosphorus balance in animals fed the white variety of bambara groundnut compared with the brown variety. On the other hand, soaking produced positive phosphorus balance in rats consuming the brown variety. Addition of crayfish produced a slight nonsignificant decrease (p > 0.05) in rodents eating the brown variety. These results suggested that varietal difference and treatment affected iron and phosphorus utilization in rats fed bambara groundnut in conjunction with sorghum and/or crayfish.     

Nutritional studies on rats and fish (carp Cyprinus carpio) fed diets containing unheated and heated Jatropha curcas meal of a non-toxic provenance

Unheated and heated (121 ^°C, 66% moisture; 15, 30 and 45 min) Jatropha meals of non-toxic provenance from Veracruz state in Mexico were evaluated using rats and fish. With rats, the weight gain was highest for the casein diet followed by heated (30 min; only this treatment was studied using rats) and unheated Jatropha meal containing diets. The protein efficiency ratio (PER) for unheated and heated Jatropha meal containing diets was 37 and 86%, respectively, of the casein diet. On the other hand, the body weight gain, PER and feed conversion ratio of fish were statistically similar for unheated and heated (15, 30 and 45 min) Jatropha meal containing diets fed for a period of 35 days. Although these parameters were statistically similar for the unheated and heated Jatropha meal containing diets, the body weight gain, PER and protein productive value were highest and the feed conversion ratio lowest with 15 min heated Jatropha meal, suggesting that the heat treatment for 15 min is optimal for the meal. Trypsin inhibitor and lectin activities decreased drastically (>83 and 99%, respectively) after 30 and 45 min of heat treatment and after 15 min, the residual lectin activity was negligible and the residual trypsin inhibitor activity was 34%. These results, together with the nutritional parameters investigated, imply that Jatropha trypsin inhibitors and lectins do not have any adverse effects on carp at least up to 35 days of feeding. The nutritional value of Jatropha meal of the non-toxic provenance is high, and potential exists for its incorporation into the diets of monogastrics, fish and possibly humans.     

Nutrient composition and biological evaluation of mesta (Hibiscus sabdariffa) seeds

Two varieties of mesta (Hibiscus sabdariffa) seeds were analysed for their proximate composition. Their protein (18.8–22.3%), fat (19.1–22.8%) and dietary fiber (39.5–42.6%) contents were found to be high. The seeds were found to be a good source of minerals like phosphorus, magnesium and calcium. Their lysine and tryptophan contents were also high. Sulphur containing amino acids were limiting in this seed protein and the chemical score of mesta seed protein was 40 and 57 for AMV-2 and Bhimili-1 varieties respectively. Mesta seed oil is rich in unsaturated fatty acids (70%), of which linoleic acid constituted 44%. Weanling rats were fed with 10% mesta seed protein before and after cooking for 4 weeks. Food intake of animals receiving raw mesta seed diets was significantly lower than those receiving cooked mesta seed diets as well as the casein control diet. Protein and dry matter digestibilities of raw and cooked mesta seed diets were lower than that of casein control diet. Cooking improved the food intake, gain in body weight, dry matter and protein digestibility of mesta seed diets. PER and NPU of cooked mesta seed diets were significantly higher than the corresponding raw diets. These results indicate that cooked mesta seed protein is of relatively good quality.     

The feeding value of roasted castor oil bean (Ricinus communis) to growing chicks

A nutritive evaluation of roasted castor oil bean (Ricinus communis) was made using 150 day old crossbred progeny of barred Plymouth rock × Nigerian local chicken. The chicks were divided into five groups of 30 birds each. Each group was fed one of five iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric diets A, B, C, D and E containing 0% (control), 10% non-roasted castor oil bean seeds (NRCOB), or 10, 15 or 20% roasted castor oil bean seeds (RCOB), respectively. Roasting was done at 140°C for 20 minutes in order to destroy the ricin component of the castor oil bean seed. There were significant (P<0.05) differences in average feed intake, daily gain, and feed conversion ratio between birds among the treatments. The best results were obtained with inclusion of RCOB at the 10% level. The birds fed the 20% roasted bean diets had the worst performance. The diet containing the 10% NRCOB supported little or no growth, and also resulted in a high mortality (83%) among the birds. There were no significant (P<0.05) differences in mortality rates between the control diet and the other diets containing RCOB.     

Studies on protein quality of green gram (Phaseolus aureus)

Raw green gram contains trypsin inhibitor (5.6 × 10^–3 units/0.1 g) while cooking destroyed the trypsin inhibitor in green gram. No destruction was observed in the case of lysine, methionine, cystine, threonine and tryptophan. Sulphur containing amino acids have been found to be the only limiting amino acids in green gram from studies on blood levels of amino acids and PER experiments. Raw green gram, when fed as a sole source of protein promoted an extremely low growth rate, (13.2 g/4 weeks) and PER (0.77) in rats. Cooking slightly improved the nutritive value of the gram, as indicated by increase in gain in body weight (24 g/4 weeks) as well as PER (1.22). The presence of inhibitors in green gram did not appear to affect some of the essential amino acids as observed from the blood amino acid levels.     

The nutritional quality of potato protein from intraspecific hybrids

The nutritional value of potato hybrids with Groups Andigena, Phureja, and Tuberosum parentage was measured by protein efficiency ratio (PER). Three diets at 6.0%, 7.75%, and 9.0% crude protein in potato flakes were fed to rats; 18 genotypes were analyzed and the hybrids had higher PER values than Group Tuberosum varieties, but increased tuber protein did not influence the PER values. The overall mean PER was 2.3, and 12 of the potato-flake diets were not different from the casein controls. Fortification with isoleucine did not improve the nutritional quality of the potato flakes. One diet was improved with the addition of both isoleucine and methionine. The influence of sulfur-containing amino acids in potato protein quality among these hybrids is not clear. It is suggested there may be two types of hybrids, one with dependence on these amino acids and a second type with a different protein factor(s) affecting the nutritional quality of the protein. Protein from these potato hybrids, as measured by PER, is among the highest in biological quality when compared with other proteins in plant foods.     

转mtlD/gutD双价基因稻米对大鼠的毒性试验

对转mtlD/gutD双价基因稻米进行了大鼠急性、亚急性毒性实验,致突变试验和30 d喂养试验。结果表明,大鼠经口LD50＞30 g/kg体质量,无致突变作用;30 d喂养试验中,18、36、54 g/kg体质量各剂量组大鼠发育、增重、食物利用率、血常规、脏体比及病理组织学观察等各项指标与基础对照组相比均无显著差异。初步表明转mtlD/gutD双价基因稻米对大鼠来说是安全的。     

Nutritive Value of Wheat Bran Diets Supplemented With Fresh Carrots and Wet Brewers’ Grains in Yellow Mealworm

We evaluated the effect of supplementation of a wheat bran (WB) diet with fresh carrots (FC) or wet brewer’s grains (WBG) on the growth performance and chemical composition of Tenebrio molitor larvae. Additionally, a digestibility trial was performed to determine the nutritional value of the raw materials used. The control diet was based on WB-only. Two other diets were formulated in which WB was supplemented with FC (FC diet) or with WBG (WBG diet). The experiment was conducted in trays (12 per treatment) and lasted 90 d. Larval weight, feed intake, and excreted feces were controlled in each tray the experiment. The digestibility trial was performed from 48 to 62 d post-hatch. Results showed digestibility coefficients of ashes, crude protein, and gross energy were significantly higher in FC diet compared with the other diets. Consequently, both digestible energy (DE) and digestible protein (DP) contents of FC were also significantly higher than those obtained for WB and WBG diets (on av. +1.12 megajoule [MJ] DE and +9.15 g DP per kg dry matter [DM]; P < 0.003). Mealworms fed FC diet showed significantly higher final weight and average daily gain than those fed the WBG diet (+12.4%), being higher in WBG than in WB diet (+3.5%). Dietary treatment did not affect DM, ashes, ether extract, and crude protein content of mealworms obtained. Some dietary effects on amino acid and fatty acid composition were observed. This study provides novel data and a unique experimental approach to assess the nutritional value of raw materials in mealworms.     

Protein,energy and mineral utilization in rats fed rice-legume diets

Protein, energy and mineral utilization were examined in growing rats fed cooked, dry legume seeds in combination with polished rice. The legumes tested included 3 varieties of common beans, black, white and brown (Phaseolus vulgaris), lentils (Lens esculenta) and peas (Pisum sativum). The rice:legume mixtures (1:1 N ratio) were the only dietary sources of protein, Zn, Fe and Cu. The rice:black bean mixture was also tested at a 4:1 N ratio. Nutrient utilization was studied by balance trials and mineral utilization was further assessed by tissue analyses. True protein digestibility (TD) and energy digestibility of the rice:legume (1:1) mixtures were high. Biological value (BV) varied only little but was lowest in the rice:lentil mixture. The rice:brown bean mixture had the lowest amount of utilizable protein (UP). The (1:1) rice:legume mixtures did not adversely affect Fe status, as measured by liver Fe content and blood hemoglobin and hematocrit, or Cu status, as measured by liver Cu content and plasma ceruloplasmin. However, femur zinc content indicated a sub-optimal Zn status. Increasing the dietary N from rice in combination with black beans resulted in a substantial improvement of BV, NPU and Zn status of the animals but had a negative effect on UP and Fe status of the rats.     

Biological evaluation of protein quality of sorghum as affected by insect infestation

Protein quality of sorghum grains having 25, 50 and 75% infestation caused by mixed population ofTrogoderma granarium Everts andRhizopertha dominica Fabricius was biologically evaluated by rat growth and nitrogen balance studies. Feeding of diet containing insect infested sorghum grains (50 and 75%) resulted in marked decrease in food intake, protein intake, gain in body weight, food efficiency ratio, protein efficiency ratio, nitrogen consumption, nitrogen absorption, biological value, net protein utilization, dry matter digestibility, net protein retention and protein retention efficiency. These parameters showed negative association with insect infestation levels. However, 25% level of grain infestation did not affect these parameters significantly.