Amino Acid Diets and Maximal Growth in the Rat

Abstract

Amino acid diets fed in an agar gel have been found to support weight gains of rats as great or greater than those obtained with diets containing an equivalent quantity of casein supplemented with methionine. Over 1% arginine, 0.6% asparagine and feeding the diet in gel form were necessary to obtain maximal weight gain. The diet contained amino acids in excess of the requirements of the rat, and hence it should be possible to improve the efficiency of utilization of the amino acid mixture.