Utilization of Protein Concentrates by the Growing Chick

Abstract

THE generally accepted theory of protein utilization is that definite amounts of certain amino acids must be provided for the growing animal. Differences in the amino acid content of various protein concentrates is believed to account for differences in their growth-promoting value. Practical chemical methods for determining the amino acid distribution in common protein concentrates are not yet available; hence biological experimentation becomes necessary.The complementing qualities of certain combinations of protein-contributing concentrates present one of our most important nutritional problems. This problem must, of course, be considered from the standpoint both of economy and physiological quality. Cost is influenced by availability, and the six most important protein-contributing concentrates (if we except skimmilk) are meat scraps, fish meal, soybean oil meal, cottonseed meal, linseed oil meal, and dried buttermilk. From the economic viewpoint it is probably desirable that we select as wide a variety of protein concentrates as can be .