Supplementation of Cereal Proteins with Amino Acids

Abstract

A simplified basal diet in which corn is the only source of protein was fed to two boys recently recovered from severe protein malnutrition (kwashiorkor) at a level to provide 3 gm of protein and 100 Cal. per kilogram of body weight. Nitrogen balance was determined in a total of 22 three day periods. The children, aged three years and 7 months, and 4 years and 4 months, weighted 9.9 and 12.0 kg and measured 82 and 86 cm, respectively. They continued to gain weight during the progressive supplementation of the basal diet with the amino acids indicated to be deficient by comparison with the amino acid pattern of the F.A.O. “reference protein.” The amounts of tryptophan and lysine required to bring the amino acid intake to the reference level resulted in marked improvement in nitrogen retention. This amount of methionine brought about a decrease which could be reversed so that retention became strongly positive by supplementation with isoleucine. Valine and threonine also appeared to have a negative effect on retention at least until after isoleucine had been given. The results show that by the supplementation of a vegetable protein with the appropriate essential amino acids, good nitrogen retention and satisfactory gain in weight can be obtained, at least with an intake of 3.0 gm of protein and 100 Cal. per kilogram per day in young children.