True N Conversion Factor for Diet and Excreta in Evaluating Protein Quality

True N conversion factor (F_t of thermally processed red kidney beans, rat feces and rooster excreta were determined based on Kjeldahl nitrogen and amino acid composition. F_t of processed beans ranged from 5.63 to 5.67, F_t of feces from rats fed the beans ranged 5.43 to 5.62, and F_t of excreta from roosters fed the beans ranged 3.06 to 4.18. The conventional N conversion factor (F_c of 6.25 overestimated the protein intake and output, and underestimated the protein quality of the beans. The difference of NPR (also AAS, EAAI, ALV, C-PER, PER, P-PER, and RNPR) values calculated by F_c and by F_t depends on the ratio F_c/F_t of the beans. The difference of TDP (also TDAA, BV and NPU) values calculated by F_c and by F_t is mainly dependent on the mtio F_t of diet/F_t of feces (excreta). F_c and F_t have a mixed effect on AAS_TDP and AAS_TDDA.     

Thermal Effects on in vitro Protein Quality of Red Kidney Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Significant thermal effects on in vitro protein quality of red kidney beans were observed. Beans autoclaved at 121°for 10 and 20 min, and common home-cooked beans had improved protein quality. Uncooked beans, and those autoclaved at 128°for 20 min and at 121°for 90 min had reduced protein quality compared to canned beans and those autoclaved at 110°for 20 min and at 121°for 40 and 60 min. Amino acid scores, essential amino acid index and available lysine (%), corrected for in vitro protein digestibility gave comparable results in evaluation of protein quality. Specific lysine, methionine, cysteine and other amino acid ratios overestimated protein quality.     

Biological response to different diets of fermented and unfermented mixtures of flour and cereal brans

The objective of this study was to biologically evaluate eight mixtures of flour and brans prepared with non‐conventional foods popularly denominated ‘multimixtures’, which differed from each other in terms of type of bran (wheat or rice), presence or absence of cassava leaf powder and submission or non‐submission to a solid‐state fermentation with Saccharomyces cerevisiae for 6 h/30 °C, utilising female Wistar/UFPEL rats. Biological indices determined were food efficiency ratio (FER), protein efficiency ratio (PER), net protein efficiency ratio (NPR) and in vivo digestibility. Liver, spleen and kidney specimens were collected at the end of the experiment. In vivo digestibility of diets containing multimixtures formulated with wheat bran was superior to diets containing rice bran, presenting values from 76.5% to 82.8%, which corresponds to up to 85% of casein digestibility. The results allowed the conclusion that fermentation tended to improve food efficiency, but did not influence in vivo digestibility.     

Study of the nutritional value of black cumin seeds (Nigella sativaL)

The nutritional value of five samples of black cumin seeds from five different sources available in the local market were studied. The average values of the proximate analysis on dry matter basis were 216 g kg⁻¹ for crude protein, 406 g fat, 45 g ash, 84 g crude fibre and 249 g of nitrogen-free extract, whereas moisture content was 38 g kg⁻¹. The mineral and vitamin analyses showed that black cumin seeds contained iron, (105 mg kg⁻¹) copper (18 mg), zinc (60 mg) phosphorus (527 mg), calcium (1860 mg), thiamin (15·4 mg), niacin (57 mg), pyridoxine (5·0 mg) and folic acid (160 μg). The protein quality of black cumin seeds was evaluated using net protein utilisation (NPU), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and net dietary protein energy percent (NDPE %) for two samples imported from Syria and Turkey, while PER was determined for the Syrian sample only. The results indicated that the NPU standardised of Turkish black cumin seeds was significantly higher than that of Syrian type (P<0·05). The mean results (±SD) were 54·6±2·72 for the Syrian type and 63·1±3·74 for the Turkish type. The NDPE% mean results (±SD) were 5·3±0·79 and 5·6±0·26 for the Syrian and the Turkish samples, respectively. The PER adjusted value for the Syrian samples was 1·9. The results of protein quality evaluation and those of the nutrient composition suggest that black cumin is of relatively good nutritional value. © 1998 SCI.     

Chemical composition and nutritional attributes of selected newly developed lines of soybean (Glycine max (L) Merr)

The chemical composition and nutritional properties of raw, autoclaved and boiled samples of three promising advanced breeding lines of soybean (TG_x 923 ? 2^EN, TG_x 1019 ? 2^EN and TG_x 1497 ? 1^D), part of a larger collection evaluated in agronomic field trials in Nigeria, were investigated. Protein quality was evaluated using weanling albino rats fed diets which were formulated to supply 10% protein using soybean samples, with casein as a control. Raw seeds contained 35.6–42.4% crude protein, 8.9–9.8 mg iron per 100 g, 8.62–18.21 mg trypsin inhibitor g^?1 and 2.25–6.15 mg phytic acid g^?1 seed flour. TG_x 923 ? 2^EN possessed higher crude protein contents and lower amounts of trypsin inhibitor, polyphenol and phytic acid compared with TG_x 1019 ? 2^EN or TG_x 1497 ? 1^D. Boiling proved more effective than autoclaving for reducing the levels of antinutrients and improving the protein quality of the beans, as shown by the higher values for weight gain, protein efficiency ratio (PER), net protein ratio (NPR) and true digestibility (TD) of boiled samples. There were no significant (p > 0.05) differences between the values obtained for PER, NPR and TD of diets containing boiled samples of TG_x 923 ? 2^EN and casein, indicating the nutritional superiority of this soybean line compared with TG_x 1019 ? 2^EN and TG_x 1497 ? 1^D. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

In vitro protein digestibility and mineral availability of green beans (Phaseolus vulgarisL) as influenced by variety and pod size

Three varieties of green beans (Cleo, Strike and Sentry) were harvested and sorted into four fractions according to pod size (diameter <7 mm; 7–8·5 mm; 8·6–10 mm and >10 mm). Ash content and dietary fibre increased significantly as pod size increased mainly in Cleo and Strike beans. Strike showed the highest fibre content (378·0 g kg⁻¹) but the lowest carbohydrate (364·6 g kg⁻¹) and ash (68·4 g kg⁻¹) values. Mean values for Fe and Mg content were higher in Cleo beans (70·9 and 27·1 mg kg⁻¹, respectively), Zn, Cu and Mg were higher in Strike beans (48·7 mg kg⁻¹, 22·4 mg kg⁻¹ and 3·15 g kg⁻¹, respectively) while Na and Ca values were maximum in Sentry (459·1 mg kg⁻¹ and 7·11 g kg⁻¹, respectively). Trypsin inhibitor was negatively related to in vitro protein digestibility but no relationship was found between this last parameter and phytic acid content. This antinutrient, together with dietary fibre, and a negative influence on in vitro mineral dialysability of green beans. © 1998 SCI     

Protein supplementation of broad beans with sesame

Feeding experiments with weanling rats indicated that the protein of broad beans (Vicia faba var. major) and sesame (Sesamum indicum) are mutually supplementary. A standard diet in which 75% of the protein was provided by broad beans and 25% by sesame had a protein efficiency ratio (PER) of 2·36 compared to a casein PER adjusted to 2·50. A similar diet in which broad beans and sesame contributed equal amounts of protein had a PER of 2·41. The PER of broad beans was 0·99 and that of sesame 1·55.     

Potential protein degradation balance and total metabolizable protein supply to dairy cows from heat‐treated faba beans

The effects of pressure toasting (100, 118 and 136 °C for 3, 7, 15 and 30 min) on potential protein nutritional value of faba beans were evaluated with the NRC 2001 dairy model, by determining undegraded (RUP) and degraded rumen protein (RDP), undegraded (RUST) and degraded rumen starch (RDST), truly absorbed undegraded protein (ARUP), microbial protein (MCP_RDP) synthesized in the rumen from rumen‐available protein, truly absorbed rumen synthesized microbial protein (AMCP), truly absorbed rumen endogenous protein (AECP), total metabolizable protein (MP) in the small intestine, and the protein degradation balance (PDB). The treatments increased RUP, RUST, ARUP and MP (p < 0.001), and decreased RDP, RDST, MCP_RDP and PDB (p < 0.001), the effects increasing with increasing temperature and time. The treatments increased (p < 0.001) ARUP without affecting AECP and AMCP, so that the net absorbable total MP in the small intestine was increased. The PDB was reduced (p < 0.001) but never became negative. These results indicated that potential microbial protein synthesis would not be impaired due to sufficient nitrogen in the rumen, but the high positive PDB values with most treatments, except 136 °C for 15 min (PDB 2.0 g kg^?1 DM) indicated that there were large potential losses of nitrogen in the rumen, particularly for the control with a value of 88.9 g kg^?1 dry matter. It is concluded that predicted potential protein degradation balance and total metabolizable protein supply from faba beans were improved by the treatments. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Response of nutrient digestibilities to feeding diets with low and high levels of soybean trypsin inhibitors in growing pigs

Studies were carried out to determine the effect of dietary soybean trypsin inhibitor (SBTI) content on nutrient and energy digestibilities in growing pigs. Six barrows, average initial body weight (BW) 47·8±4·0 kg, were fitted with a simple T-cannula at the distal ileum and fed two diets according to a crossover design. Two maize starch-based diets were formulated to contain 200 g crude protein (CP) kg⁻¹ from either Nutrisoy (a food-grade defatted soy flour) or autoclaved Nutrisoy. The contents of SBTI in the Nutrisoy and autoclaved Nutrisoy diets were 13·4 and 3·0 g kg⁻¹, respectively. The experiment consisted of two periods of 12 days each. The average BW at the start of the first and second experimental periods were 53·3±3·7 and 61·0±5·1 kg, respectively. The average BW at the conclusion of the experiment was 71·8±7·6 kg. The ileal digestibilities of dry matter (DM), organic (OM), energy, CP and all amino acids measured were higher (P<0·01) in pigs fed the autoclaved Nutrisoy diet. The energy digestibility increased from 66·0 to 77·9%, and the CP digestibility increased from 37·4 to 77·1%. The increases in ileal digestibilities of the indispensable amino acids ranged from 27·0 (methionine) to 49·2 (leucine) percentage units. The increases in ileal digestibilities of the dispensable amino acids ranged from 30·2 (aspartic acid) to 50·8 (tyrosine) percentage units. The faecal digestibilities of all criteria measured were also higher (P<0·01) in pigs fed the autoclaved Nutrisoy diet. Furthermore, there was a greater (P<0·01) net disappearance (g kg⁻¹ DM intake) of DM, OM, CP, energy and all amino acids in the large intestine of pigs fed the Nutrisoy diet. In conclusion, feeding diets containing high levels of SBTI decreased both ileal and faecal digestibilities of all criteria measured. The formation of SBTI-enzyme complexes is likely to be responsible for the reduction in protein digestion and amino acid absorption. © 1998 SCI.     

Wet Milling Comparison of Quality Protein Maize and Normal Maize

Quality protein maize (QPM) experimental hybrids and normal maize possessing different physical and chemical properties were studied as the raw material for wet milling. Maize samples were steeped for 36 h in a 600-ml solution containing 15 g kg⁻¹ lactic acid and 0·5 g kg⁻¹ SO₂ followed by 12 h in a second 600-ml solution containing 5 g kg⁻¹ lactic acid and 1 g kg⁻¹ SO₂. The steeped grain was then wet milled and the yields and purity of fractions were analysed. Water-soluble solids, kernel size, quality protein, total dietary fibre and ash content were higher in QPM samples than in normal maize. Water-soluble solids were positively correlated to kernel size ( r =0·97, P< 0·05), test weight ( r =0·83, P< 0·05) and density ( r =0·57, P< 0·05). Total fraction recovery for the five hybrids tested ranged from 921 to 955 g kg⁻¹, with the highest values corresponding to QPM hybrids. QPM hybrids yielded slightly higher starch content than normal maize. Gluten yields of QPM-HO (high oil) presented the highest values. The lysine contents of kernel, gluten and milling solubles were highest for QPM hybrids. QPM contained more palmitic acid than the other hybrids. The H-137 normal maize and QPM yellow dent-HO contained more oleic and linolenic acids than the other samples, and the QPM white-C (corneous) contained more linoleic acid than QPM-HO and normal maize.     

Response of pancreatic secretions to feeding diets with low and high levels of soybean trypsin inhibitors in growing pigs

Studies were carried out to determine the effect of soybean trypsin inhibitors (SBTI) on exocrine pancreatic secretions in growing pigs. Six barrows with an average initial body weight (BW) of 27·1±1·4 kg were fitted with permanent pancreatic re-entrant cannulas and fed two diets according to a crossover design. Two maize starch-based diets were formulated to contain 200 g kg⁻¹ crude protein from either Nutrisoy (food grade defatted soy flour) or autoclaved Nutrisoy. The concentrations of SBTI in Nutrisoy and autoclaved Nutrisoy diets were 13·4 and 3·0 g kg⁻¹, respectively. The experiment consisted of two periods of 9 days each. The average BW at the start of the first and second experimental periods was 33·5±2·7 and 37·2±3·7 kg, respectively. The average BW at the conclusion of the experiment was 41·8±3·9 kg. The volume of pancreatic secretion was higher (P<0·01) when the Nutrisoy, as opposed to the autoclaved Nutrisoy diet was fed (3804 vs 2634 ml (24 h)⁻¹). The concen-tration of nitrogen and protein and specific activities (units litre⁻¹) of amylase, chymotrypsin and trypsin were lower (P<0·05) in pancreatic juice of pigs fed the Nutrisoy diet. There were no differences (P>0·05) in the total secretions of nitrogen (g (24 h)⁻¹) and total activities (units (24 h)⁻¹) of amylase, lipase, chymotrypsin and trypsin in pancreatic juice of pigs fed the Nutrisoy and autoclaved Nutrisoy diets. However, the total secretion of protein was slightly higher (25·7 vs 22·8 g (24 h)⁻¹; P<0·05) in pancreatic juice of pigs fed the autoclaved Nutrisoy diet, which corresponded with the increase in the secretion of protein-bound amino acids. There was also an increase in the total secretion of free amino acids in pancreatic juice. These studies show no effect of SBTI on the total enzyme activities in pancreatic juice of growing pigs. © 1998 SCI.     

Biological utilization of insect infested wheat stored in different storage structures

Wheat (Triticum aestivum) was stored in jute bag, peru, metal bin and polyethylene bag for 6 months. Infested wheat was fed to the rats for 40 days. Effect of incorporation of uninfested and infested wheat stored in different storage structure on feed intake, weight gain, feed efficiency ratio (FER), protein efficiency ratio (PER), biological value (BV), true protein digestibility (TPD), net protein utilization (NPU), net protein ratio (NPR) and weight of liver, kidney and spleen was observed. Inclusion of insect infested wheat stored in different storage structure had significant (P > 0.05) effect on the biological utilization of wheat protein. Diets prepared from wheat stored in jute bag and peru had significantly higher insect infestation which resulted in lower values for feed intake, weight gain, FER, PER, BV, TPD, NPU, NPR. Weight of liver, kidney and spleen also decreased as compared to the control diets and the diets prepared from wheat stored in metal bin and polyethylene bags.     

Nutritional assessment of protein from beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L) processed at different pH values,in growing rats

The effect of the commonly used processing techniques of soaking (at different pH values) and cooking on the digestive and metabolic utilisation of protein from common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L) in growing rats was studied. Before the cooking step, beans were soaked in solutions of pH 2.6, 5.3 or 8.4. Analyses of beans soaked at moderately acid pH (5.3) showed a significant increase in essential amino acids, especially cysteine. Food intake and growth indices were also dependent on pH. All indices were better in animals fed with beans soaked in a basic pH solution than when an acid soaking solution was used. In contrast with the findings expected on the basis of the chemical analysis of protein composition of the food, the worst results for food intake and growth were found in rats fed with beans soaked at pH 5.3. There were no significant differences in apparent digestibility coefficient between different groups of animals. The highest metabolic utilisation of protein (balance) was found in animals fed with beans soaked in a basic solution; however, the values were insufficient to account for the faster rate of growth in this group. The better growth rate was probably due to the improved utilisation of carbohydrates in beans soaked in the basic pH (8.4) solution. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of mild autoclaving and deamidisation on the nutritive value of protein fractions

The nutritive value of zein, rapeseed 12S and α-casein was assessed by apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) and net protein ratio (NPR). Protein fractions were suspended (100 g litre^?1) in 0.1M HCl or in water and autoclaved for 1 h. The degree of deamidisation following acid autoclaving was 14.0% for zein, 7.3% for rapeseed 12S and 8.9% for α-casein. Results indicate that autoclaving in water or in HCl improved the ADC of zein and rapeseed 12S. However, acid autoclaving increased (P<0.05) the NPR of rapeseed 12S (from 3.07 to 3.44) whereas it decreased (P<0.05) that of α-casein (from 4.21 to 3.57).     

Effects of Storage on Protein Nutritional Quality of Grain Legumes

The effect of storage under moderate conditions (12% relative humidity and 20°C) on protein nutritional quality of legumes grown in Canada (faba bean, lentil, seafarer, pinto and black beans and trapper and century peas) was determined. Little change in legume amino acid contents and only slight changes in relative net protein ratio (RNPR) and true crude protein digestibility occurred over the three years. No consistent changes were seen in plasma amino acids of rats fed the stored legumes, although plasma methionine and tryptophan were lower compared to casein-fed rats, reflecting dietary deficiencies in these amino acids. Amino acid scores indicated that tryptophan and sulfur amino acids were first and second limiting, respectively, in most of the legumes. Correction of amino acid scores for true digestibility of protein in the legumes greatly improved correlation coefficients between scores and RNPR.     

Carob bean germ seed (Ceratonia siliqua): Study of the oil and proteins

The oil and flour of the seed germ of carob bean (Ceratonia siliqua L) were studied. The fatty acid composition included, as main components, palmitic (14·2%), stearic (3·0%), oleic (38·5%) and linoleic (43·6%) acids. Lipolysis with pancreatic lipase shows the following glyceride composition: S₃ (0·0%), US₂ (2·7%), SU₂ (27·9%) and U₃ (63·7%). The protein flour was separated into protein classes according to their solubility and molecular weight, and the preparation of an isolate (with more than 90% protein) is described.     

B-group vitamin and mineral contents of soybeans during kinema production

Concentrations of several B-group vitamins, determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and minerals, determined by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), in soybeans during different kinema production stages were compared. After soaking soybeans in water, thiamine (B₁) content decreased, whereas riboflavin (B₂) content remained unchanged. Cooking had no influence on the B₁ content, but it enhanced the level of B₂ and niacin (B₃). Incubation of beans at 37°C for 48 h, when mixed with Bacillus subtilis, caused an increase in concentration of both B₁ and B₂. Vitamin B₁ levels decreased when either Enterococcus faecium accompanied B subtilis or the temperature was elevated for 18 h fermentation. Traditionally prepared kinema contained 8 mg B₁, 12 mg B₂, 45 mg B₃, 683 mg Ca, 4 mg Cu, 18 mg Fe, 494 mg Mg, 10 mg Mn, 1257 mg P, 2077 mg K, 13 mg Zn and <0·5 mg of Cd, Cr, Pb, Ni and Na per kg dry matter. While the vitamin B₁ content was significantly (P<0·05) higher, the contents of vitamins B₂ and B₃ were significantly (P<0·05) lower in raw soybeans than those in kinema. Mineral concentrations were 3·1–8·3 times higher in raw soybeans than in kinema. © 1998 Society of Chemical Industry.     

Nutritional evaluation of Araucaria angustifolia seed flour as a protein complement for growing rats

BACKGROUND: The seeds of Araucaria angustifolia, namely pinhão, are consumed in south and southeast Brazil as flour or baked. There is relatively little information about the chemical composition and nutritional value of the seed and its flour. RESULTS: Pinhão flour was obtained by drying at constant temperature of 50 °C (PF50) or 80 °C (PF80) in a circulating air drier for 16 h, and evaluated as a feed additive for growing rats. Wistar rats were fed five experimental diets (n = 6 rats per diet) containing different protein sources: casein (diet CAS), casein supplemented with 20% (w/w) flour PF50 or PF80 (diets PF50 and PF80), casein supplemented with 20% pinhão without heat treatment (diet NPF), and a non‐protein group (diet APROT). Values for weight gain, feed ingest, protein efficiency ratio (PER) and net protein ratio (NPR) were similar for diets CAS and PF80. Lowest values for all nutritional parameters were observed for diets complemented with pinhão flour. Trypsin inhibitor activity was detected in PF50 but not in PF80. CONCLUSION: Pinhão flour heated at 80 °C for 16 h and used as supplementary in diet had the most similar results in all nutritional parameters to casein‐based diets, and can be used as a complementary source, substituting up to 20% of a high biological value protein in food formulations. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of storage of adzuki bean (Vigna angularis) on starch and protein properties

Differential scanning calorimetry was used to evaluate the effect of storage at 10°C, 20°C and 30°C, and 40% and 65% relative humidity (RH) on adzuki bean starch gelatinisation and protein denaturation temperatures. Storage for 6 months at an elevated storage temperature (30°C) caused increases in the starch gelatinisation onset temperature (T_o) and gelatinisation peak temperature (T_p) for both Bloodwood and Erimo varieties. Storage at 40% RH resulted in higher T_o and T_p values than storage at 65% RH. The T_o of starch from Bloodwood and Erimo beans stored for up to 1.5 months at 10°C and 65% were similar to those of fresh beans.The changes in the salt-soluble protein component were less clear cut than those of the starch. Nonetheless, protein extracted from beans stored at 40% RH exhibited significantly lower T_o and T_p values compared with those stored at 65% RH. This indicates some destabilisation of the protein at the higher RH.These results suggest that detrimental changes occur in starch and, to a lesser extent protein, of adzuki beans stored under unfavourable conditions. On the basis of these results, the best storage conditions to maintain the characteristics of fresh beans are low temperatures (e.g. 10°C) and high RH (e.g. 65%).     

Could the Dumas Method Replace the Kjeldahl Digestion for Nitrogen and Crude Protein Determinations in Foods?

Increased demand for determinations of nitrogen (N), and hence crude protein (CP), has led to wider use of the Dumas method in place of the traditional Kjeldahl methods. Although Kjeldahl N (KN) and Dumas N (DN) represent different N fractions, published studies on infant formula, animal feed and meat products have indicated that DN could replace KN with little practical impact on the reliability of the N values obtained. This study was conducted to establish whether DN determination could replace that of KN in a broader range of foods for CP calculation. Statistical analysis was performed on in-house assayed KN and DN values together with published KN and DN values for selected food products. In the range 0·05–6·8% N, KN may be estimated from DN with the equation: KN=1·00^(P<0·01)×DN-0·09^(P=0·50) (n=101, R²=0·98, P-regression<0·01). Because N levels in individual groups of food did not span the entire range of N contents, KN: DN ratios were calculated for each food group. KN: DN ratios differed significantly (R²=0·25, P<0·01) from group to group. Ratios of 1·01 for dairy, 1·00 for oilseeds, 0·99 for feed, 0·98 for infant formulas, 0·95 for cereals, 0·94 for meats, 0·89 for vegetables, 0·80 for fish and 0·73 for fruits were valid for the estimation of KN and CP using DN data. CP was independently calculated as CP1=H×KN or CP2=H×KN: DN×DN, where H is the nitrogen to protein conversion factor for the food group. Mean differences between CP1 and CP2 values were 0% for dairy, oilseeds, feed, infant formulas and baby foods, cereals, meat and meat products, vegetables and vegetable products and fruit, and 1% for fish. These results suggest that DN may replace KN for the determination of N and CP in selected food groups when appropriate coefficients are used. © 1997 SCI.