[Analysis of safety and nutritive value of protein isolated from alfalfa]

Experiments were made on white rats to examine the effect of a protein isolate from lucerne on the animal body. The rat body responses to the supply of this protein contained by the diet in an amount of 18 and 36% were studied with the use of biochemical and morphological methods. The protein isolate from lucerne did not alter the structural integrity of parenchymatous organs and did not exhibit any toxic effects. This finding was also confirmed by biochemical studies. Biological studies with the use of 6 levels of the content of experimental (protein isolate) and control (casein) proteins were performed to define their concentration in the diet, corresponding with the maximal magnitudes of biological value (10% content of both proteins in the diet). The relative biological value of the protein isolate from lucerne constitutes 87% with reference to casein.