POSSIBLE VALUE OF CASEIN, GLUTEN, EGG ALBUMIN, OR FIBRIN AS WHOLE PROTEINS IN THE DIET OF TWO STRAINS OF THE FLOUR BEETLE, TRIBOLIUM CONFUSUM (TENEBRIONIDAE)

Abstract

The confused flour beetle was grown on various diets, all simulating one with 15% whole casein protein. Development rate and survival were higher when any of four proteins supplied one-third of available amino acids than when all or nearly all amino acids were present in crystalline form. The experimental design and incidental aspects of the final results are consistent with the inference that peptide-bound amino acids are nutritively more usable than the free amino acids.