Protein nutrition value of urea supplementation of opaque-2 corn for adolescent boys

The effect of urea supplementation on the protein nutritional value of a plant protein, opaque-2 corn, for adolescent boys was investigated. Seven 12- to 16-year-old boys were subjects for this 23-day study. The mean apparent nitrogen balance when 6 g of nitrogen from corn was fed and when 4 g of nitrogen from urea was added were + 0.63 and + 1.37 g/day, respectively. The improvement in nitrogen balance resulting from the addition of urea to a plant protein source suggested that urea may be used to partially supply the protein needs of growing boys.