ABSTRACT
Histological studies of the spleen and thymus of rats fed raw black beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) show an atrophy of both lymphoid organs. Decrease in relative thymus weight was most marked. All histological organization of this organ appeared altered. An evident decrease in cell number was also observed in both organs. Proliferative response of splenic cells stimulated in vitro with Concanavalin A was increased as compared to that from animals fed the control diet. It is likely that histological changes observed in the spleen and the thymus are due mainly to a protein caloric deficiency, although the possibility that toxic factors present in the raw diet have an effect on the immune system of the rat can not be overruled.
Subject(s)
Fabaceae , Food Handling , Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes/chemically induced , Lymphocyte Activation/drug effects , Plants, Medicinal , Spleen/drug effects , Thymus Gland/drug effects , Animals , Atrophy , Body Weight/drug effects , Dietary Proteins/pharmacokinetics , Dietary Proteins/toxicity , Enzyme Inhibitors/toxicity , Fabaceae/toxicity , Hot Temperature , Male , Organ Size/drug effects , Phytohemagglutinins/toxicity , Plant Lectins , Plant Proteins/pharmacokinetics , Plant Proteins/toxicity , Rats , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Spleen/pathology , Tannins/toxicity , Thymus Gland/pathologyABSTRACT
Composition in nutrients and antinutritional factors, digestibility and growth in rats fed diets prepared with raw and cooked beans of Ph. vulgaris, cultivar "Tacarigua", and Ph. lunatus cultivar "Tapiramo", are compared. Grains from both cultivars are similar in appearance, taste, nutritional value, and acceptability. Protein and phosphorus contents were greater in Ph. vulgaris than in Ph. lunatus seeds. The chemical score and availability of lysine were better in Ph. lunatus. Diets prepared with raw beans from Ph. lunatus resulted non toxic for the rats during a 12-day period of feeding. All rats fed with raw beans from Ph. Vulgaris died in the same period of time. Protein efficiency was better with cooked beans of Ph. lunatus. The cultivar "Tapiramo" (Ph. lunatus) is recommended for autoconsumption by small farmers.