Sweet lupin protein quality in young men

Abstract

The protein quality of Lupinus albus cv Multolupa was evaluated in young adult males using the nitrogen balance technique at graded levels of N intake, and compared with egg protein. Lupin protein was consumed at levels of 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 g/(kg · d) and egg protein at 0.3, 0.45 and 0.6 g/(kg · d). Each period started with 1 d of consuming a protein-free diet; the next 6 d were used as adaptation and the last 4 d for balance. The levels of protein intake were randomly assigned by a modified Latin square. Energy intake was individually adjusted. Mean apparent N digestibility values of lupin protein were 78.8, 76.1 and 70.2% for the levels of 0.8, 0.6 and 0.4 g protein(kg · d), respectively, and 83.8, 78.3 and 67.1% for egg protein consumed at levels of 0.6, 0.45 and 0.3 g protein/(kg · d), respectively. The N balance results obtained when subjects consumed lupin were 16.4, 0.2 and -15.1 mg N/(kg · d) for protein intakes of 0.8, 0.6 and 0.4 g/(kg · d), respectively. Those obtained for eg