The effect of lucerne-protein concentrate in the diet on growth, reproduction and body composition of Rats

Abstract

1. Protein concentrates were prepared from freshly cut lucerne by the Pirie process and freeze-dried. When supplemented with methionine or cystine and given to rats as the sole source of protein at 120 g protein/kg diet, the adjusted mean protein efficiency ratio was 2.89 (casein standard at 2.50). As a supplement to protein from barley meal the lucerne leaf-protein concentrate (LPC) was similar to casein.2. To investigate nutritional safety, lucerne LPC supplemented with methionine was given to rats at high levels for 6 months; exposure of these rats to diffuse daylight was avoided to prevent a severe disfiguring photosensitivity reaction. At a dietary protein concentration of 100 g/kg, rats grew equally well with lucerne LPC or casein. When the supplement was given at protein concentrations of 200 or 300 g/kg the rates of body-weight gain of male and female rats were less than those of control rats given casein. However, after 5 months on the diets, body-weights of male rats had nearly reached those of the controls.3. Apparent protein digestibility ratio was about 0.80 with all three levels of lucerne LPC.4. Reproduction was normal in seventeen of the eighteen female rats given the lucerne LPC at the three levels; lactation was also normal and litters were successfully raised to weaning.5. Organ weights, liver histology and blood haemoglobin were normal in male rats given the lucerne LPC for 6 months.6. Total body lipid of male rats given lucerne LPC was about half that of the control rats given casein. Body protein was slightly increased, and moisture content was higher in rats given lucerne LPC.7. The ‘whey’ remaining after precipitation of the protein from lucerne juice strongly inhibited the initial growth of mice given a complete control diet. The mice soon accommodated to the depressive effect of ‘whey’, and body-weight gains were normal during the 3rd week.