Thiamine Assays of Foods Using the Rat-Growth Method

Abstract

The growth response of rats fed a thiamine-free diet in which autoclaved yeast provided other members of the vitamin B complex was not significantly improved by supplements of pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, and choline in addition to thiamine. Rats used for a 3-week test period may be redepleted of thiamine stores and used for a second test, thus saving time and money. The thiamine values of a food (rice polish) determined by the growth response of rats after both a first and a second depletion of thiamine stores were the same, whether or not the diet was supplemented with pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, and choline.