Some simple methods of home processing and their implication with weaning foods.

One of the most practical solutions to combat protein energy malnutrition (PEM) in low income groups is the intelligent mixing of cereals and legumes to make available low cost weaning foods of high nutritional quality. One of the main obstacles to increase energy and nutrient density of weaning foods of cereals and legumes is the bulk factor. In this study some simple methods of home processing to improve the nutritional quality of the home prepared weaning foods were tested and the processed weaning foods were chemically and biologically evaluated. Biochemical evaluation revealed that the germination of wheat raised its protein and fat and reduced carbohydrate, while ther was almost no change on lentils. Comparing germination with a special "chapati" process, protein and fat content wee higher in the formula processed by the former method, while minerals were higher in the same formula but processed by the latter method. Biological evaluation of the formula processed by the two different methods showed that germination got the highest PER and NPU compared with chapati process figures were (2.02 and 81.0) and (1.70 and 40.0) respectively. Although further research is needed, germination of ingredients of weaning foods of vegetable origin seems to be a good option of the simple home processing technique.

The response of adult rats to varying combinations of dietary lysine and threonine.

The response of adult rats fed diets containing amino acid mixtures with varying combinations of lysine and threonine was studied by estimating the change in body weights, organ weights, total nitrogen content of organs and the concentration of free plasma lysine and threonine. Analysis of variance indicates a significant effect of threonine, lysine and a significant interaction due to feeding the two amino acids on the body weights, organ weights and total nitrogen content of various organs. Significant effect on the level of the plasma free amino acid was also shown as a result of feeding the particular amino acid. Results show that in deficient animals the rates of building body protein are low but are higher in the lysine deficient animals than in the threonine deficient and protein deficient animals. The varying rates of exchanging protein between the various organs in response to changing the levels of amino acids in the diet would mean that total change in body protein or total nitrogen balance may not be satisfactory way to determine the protein or amino acid requirements for maintenance. It seems to be necessary to focus down on protein turnover rates in specific tissues.

Response of adult rats to lysine supplementation.

The response of adult rats to wheat flour protein fortified by addition of lysine was studied by utilizing the relative protein value (RPV) compared to non-fortified wheat flour. Lactalbumin was used as a standard protein. Fortification of wheat flour by 0.3% lysine resulted in better growth of rats when fed at 6% protein level. However, no significant difference was observed in the growth of rats fed non-fortified or fortified wheat flour at 4% or 2% protein level. The relative nutritive value (RNV) of supplemented wheat flour protein is higher than that of the non-supplemented when change in body weight or change in body water are used as response parameters. When the dietary protein is provided at maintenance or below maintenance levels, lysine is not limiting. Therefore, supplementation of wheat flour protein with lysine did not result in any better growth response. When protein is provided at levels above maintenance requirements lysine is limiting and better growth was achieved by lysine supplementation to wheat flour protein.

Nutritive value of meat-soy mixture.

The protein value of meat soy blend was evaluated by utilizing the net protein ratio (NPR), the relative protein value (RPV) and the serum urea content methods. It was compared with that of meat. Casein was used as a reference protein. NPR values indicated that utilization of meat and meat soy proteins are comparable. The study of amino acid pattern shows that sulphur containing amino acids are limiting to almost the same degree in meat and meat soy blend. However, the RPV of meat soy bean blend is slightly higher than that of meat. The lowest serum urea content was that of rats fed meat soy blend. Therefore, the mixing of meat with soy bean did not reduce the nutritive value of meat, on the contrary there is tendency towards improvement.

Nutritive value of some common Egyptian meals.

The protein quality of two common Egyptian meals namely lentils and "Koshari" was evaluated on rats by utilizing the net protein ratio (NPR), the relative protein value (RPV) and the serum urea content methods. Casein was used as a reference protein. The macro nutrient contents of the two meals are almost similar. The NPR is higher with low dietary protein level. The estimated RNV of the "Koshari" was higher than that of lentils. Lower serum urea levels were found with the "Koshari" than with lentils meal indicating its better protein quality. This is most probably due to the effect of amino acid supplementation of cereals and legumes. Results obtained are in favour of utilizing the serum urea content method as a simple and reliable one for evaluating protein quality since a negative relationship exists between blood urea content and the biological value of dietary protein. Its validity in estimating dietary protein quality in man need to be investigated.

Evaluation of local varieties of Egyptian rice.

The different nutritional ingredients of the Egyptian varieties of rice (Giza 171, Giza 172, and Giza 180) were determined. 1. The nutritive values decreased in polished varieties more than in the hulled ones. 2. A wide variation in the protein content in the different varieties was recognized. 3. Giza 180 could be considered as the best Egyptian variety from the nutritional aspects.