Studies on the biological responses of rats to seed trypsin inhibitors using near‐isogenic lines of Pisum sativum L (pea)

Abstract

In order to determine the true antinutritional status of pea seed trypsin inhibitor (TI) proteins, pea lines are being produced that are near-isogenic except for the genetic locus, Tri, containing the TI structural genes. These lines are based on selection from the progeny of a cross between lines showing quantitative variation in TI content, as well as TI isoform and gene polymorphisms that serve as markers. Chemical analyses revealed that the composition of seeds from lines of each near-isogenic pair was extremely similar, except for a more than five-fold difference in TI content. Such lines provide material that is superior to the diverse lines previously used for nutritional assessment of pea TI. The specific biological effects of pea TI were studied by including the near-isogenic lines in standardised rat diets. The results indicated that TI content was correlated with a significant negative effect on protein digestibility and biological value. The difference in TI content of the pea seeds was reflected in the relative activity of pancreatic chymotrypsin whereas the activities of trypsin, lipase and amylase were less clearly affected. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry