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Biological Evaluation of the Protein Quality Sponge Guord (<i>Luffa aegyptiaca</i>) Seeds
Abstract
Objectives: The study was aimed at investigating the bioavailability of the crude protein of Luffa aegyptiaca dehulled seeds in albino rats, with a view of utilizing it as a protein supplement for animals or livestock feeds.
Materials and Methods: The rats were fed for 28 days with diet prepared with Luffa aegyptiaca dehulled seeds and casein served as the control. Clinical performance of the test animals was determined. The faecal and urinal Nitrogen content were recorded. The True Protein Digestibility (TD); Biological value (BV); Net Protein Utilization (NPU); Net Protein Retention (NPR); and Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER) were determined for the various diets used.
Results: There was a significant difference (P<0.05) in the TD; BV; NPR; NPU; and PER of the Luffa aegyptiaca - supplemented diet relative to the casein-supplemented diet, with the casein diet having higher values. Rats that received dietary casein as protein source were able to take full advantage of the nitrogen
they retained to favour growth, probably as a result of the more balanced supply of amino acid provided by this diet. Clinical performance of the test animals showed that the Luffa aegyptiaca dehulled seed was able to maintain a fairly stable clinical performance. Luffa aegyptiaca dehulled seeds exhibited fairly good protein quality and the animals maintained a steady nutritional status.
Conclusion: The dehulled seeds exhibited fairly good protein quality and the animals maintained a steady nutritional status.
Keywords: Luffa aegyptiaca, Biological value, Protein Efficiency Ratio, True Digestibility, Net Protein Retention, Net Protein Utilization.
Materials and Methods: The rats were fed for 28 days with diet prepared with Luffa aegyptiaca dehulled seeds and casein served as the control. Clinical performance of the test animals was determined. The faecal and urinal Nitrogen content were recorded. The True Protein Digestibility (TD); Biological value (BV); Net Protein Utilization (NPU); Net Protein Retention (NPR); and Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER) were determined for the various diets used.
Results: There was a significant difference (P<0.05) in the TD; BV; NPR; NPU; and PER of the Luffa aegyptiaca - supplemented diet relative to the casein-supplemented diet, with the casein diet having higher values. Rats that received dietary casein as protein source were able to take full advantage of the nitrogen
they retained to favour growth, probably as a result of the more balanced supply of amino acid provided by this diet. Clinical performance of the test animals showed that the Luffa aegyptiaca dehulled seed was able to maintain a fairly stable clinical performance. Luffa aegyptiaca dehulled seeds exhibited fairly good protein quality and the animals maintained a steady nutritional status.
Conclusion: The dehulled seeds exhibited fairly good protein quality and the animals maintained a steady nutritional status.
Keywords: Luffa aegyptiaca, Biological value, Protein Efficiency Ratio, True Digestibility, Net Protein Retention, Net Protein Utilization.
