Beneficial Effects of Alfalfa Meal and other Bulk-containing or Bulk-forming Materials on Symptoms of Tween 60 Toxicity in the Immature Mouse

Abstract

Immature mice fed a highly purified low-fiber diet containing 7.5% of polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monostearate (Tween 60) exhibited retardation in growth, diarrhea, an unthrifty appearance and decreased survival. These effects were largely counteracted by the concurrent administration of alfalfa meal, or dehydrated rye grass, orchard grass, wheat grass or fescue grass at a 10% level in the diet or carrageenin, sodium alginate or agar at a 5% level of feeding. Cellulose in the form of Solka Floc or cellophane spangles when fed at a 5 or 10% level, yeast at a 10% level and carboxymethylcellulose, celite and calcium silicate at a 5% level of supplementation prevented diarrhea and promoted survival but were not as active as the substances indicated above in counteracting the retardation in growth. The protective factor (or factors) in alfalfa was retained in the alfalfa residue fraction (the water-washed pulp remaining after the extraction of the juice). Supplements of the known vitamins, alfalfa ash, salt mixture, protein in the form of casein or fish meal or fat in the form of cottonseed oil as well as supplements of desiccated liver N.F., penicillin mycelium, fish solubles, a product derived from fermentation solubles, lemon bioflavonoid complex or aureomycin·HCl were without protective effect.