Substitution of -Keto Acids for Five Amino Acids Essential for Growth of the Rat.

Abstract

The diet of Rose, Oesterling and Womack (J. Biol. Chem., 1948, vl76, 753), con-sisted of 10 essential amino acids plus glutamic acid as the sole N source. Animals growing on this diet were fed the keto acids corresponding to leucine, isoleucine, valine, phenylalanine and methionine in place of the amino acids. Equivalent growth was ob-tained. The N content of the exptl. diet was maintained constant by adding glycine. Aspartic acid was also added to the diet. Extensive amination or transmination capacity in the rat is in-dicated.