Field Peas as a Source of Protein for Growth

Abstract

Raw and heated Alaska field peas (Pisum sativum) have been studied as the sole source of protein in diets for growing rats. The principal growth-limiting deficiency in raw pea protein is methionine. Baking and autoclaving field peas decreased the growthpromoting properties of the protein but did not change the food intake. The addition of cystine to the autoclaved peas permitted a rate of growth comparable to that with raw peas. Rats fed raw pea protein (10% level) plus 0.3 methionine as the sole source of protein made 47% more gain and required 25% less food per unit gain, than rats fed casein at a 10% protein level. Apparently the Alaska field pea is an excellent source of the amino acids essential for growth, with the single exception of methionine.