Nutrition of the silkworm, Bombyx mori—XI. Requirements for aspartic and glutamic acids

Abstract

Larvae of the silkworm, Bombyx mori L., were found to require either aspartic or glutamic acid, in addition to eleven essential amino acids, for their normal growth and development. The diet, containing eleven essential amino acids as a nitrogen source, did not result in normal growth. It was improved when the amount of either aspartic acid, glutamic acid, or both was increased. Aspartic acid was slightly superior to glutamic acid. In addition, a mixture of five non-essential amino acids (alanine, cystine, glycine, serine, and tyrosine) was also shown to possess a nutritive effect.