[Safety of a new food product--a dry protein mixture]

A study was made of the safety of a product consisting of dry clarified blood obtained by means of the peroxide-catalase system, and dry defattened milk in a ratio of 1:1. White rats received the diets containing casein as a source of protein (control) and a dry protein mixture (experimental). In acute experiments, the animals received 36% of protein as regards the caloricity, the experiment lasted 30 days. The general status of the rats, the time-course of changes in the body weight, and feed eating up were placed under observation. A study was made of the microstructure and relative weight of the internal organs (liver, kidneys, spleen, gastric and intestinal mucosa). In chronic experiments, lasting 12 months, the rats received 18% of protein as regards the caloricity. Besides, a study was made of water excretory and concentration functions of the kidneys, protein and lipid metabolism, as well as of the embryotoxic and teratogenic action of the product and of its effect on reproductive function. The diet containing the dry protein mixture was found to produce no adverse effect on the body status.