Protein Value of Colombian Opaque-2 Corn for Young Adult Men

Abstract

The protein quality of Colombian opaque-2 corn protein was studied in eight young adult men. Whole and degerminated corn preparations were tested for their digestibility, biological value (BV) and net protein utilization (NPU) and compared with data obtained for hen's egg as the reference protein when fed at a level of 0.27 g protein/kg body weight per day. The digestibility, BV and NPU of the two corn preparations were similar; the values being 92, 80 and 74 for whole corn and 95, 82, and 78 for the degerminated corn, respectively. A biological value of 96 for hen's egg was observed for the same subjects. The finding that the nutritive value of the whole and degerminated opaque-2 corn preparations was similar is discussed in relation to the amino acid composition of the test preparations, as well as the techniques for assessing protein quality. It is concluded that the nutritive value of opaque-2 corn protein is high, comparable to that of most proteins of animal origin.