The nutritive value and some biochemical aspects of single cell protein obtained from "Saccharomyces, sp.", in rat...

The authors have studied the biological value (BV) of Single Cell Protein (SCP) obtained from "Saccharomyces, sp." and the probable alterations among the values of uric acid, urea, total protein (Pt) and albumin (Ab) in the serum, and among hepatic content of DNA, RNA, Pt and total lipids in Wistar male rats. The animals were fed "ad libitum" with an experimental diet containing 25% of protein of SCP (EG-25), and a control diet containing 25% protein of casein (CG-25) during 9 weeks from weaning (28 days old). The BV was significantly smaller in EG-25. The serum and urine values of uric acid were higher in the EG-25 and these data suggest homeostasis. The urea contents were higher in CG-25. The Pt and Ab did not differ. The hepatic variables: the total lipids, the cell weight, the relation protein/nucleus and the liver weight in relation to the body weight were higher in EG-25. The DNA, RNA and number of hepatic cells were lower to EG-25 as compared to CG-25 (p less than 0.05). The results also indicated that the BV of SCP at 25% was inferior to that of casein. The biochemical hepatic results may be attributed to a deficiency in total-S-amino acids in SCP. The protein synthesis in the liver doesn't seem to have suffered any alterations by the ingestion of amino acids present in the casein and in the SCP. Hepatic hypertrophy may have occurred during the acute stage of growth. The protein of SCP may have influenced the speed of cell division.