Summary
The plasma amino acid response to single test meals was studied in preschool children, aged 9 months–5 years. The amount of protein given in each test meal was 1 g per kg body weight, which represented one-third of the daily intake of the children who were recovering from protein-energy malnutrition. The test meals given was gruels made from wheat mixed with a supplementary weaning food (Faffa or Superamin) or fish protein concentrate (FPC). The plasma amino acid responses were evaluated both as PAA ratios (a modification of the Longenecker and Hause method), and as ΔMR% (percentage change in the postprandial essential amino acid molar ratios according to Graham and Placko). Both evaluation models indicated that lysine, threonine and methionine were the limiting amino acids in the Faffa/wheat diet, and that lysine and threonine were limiting in the Superamin/wheat diet. All essential amino acids seemed to be supplied in adequate amounts in the FPC/wheat diet. These results were in close agreement with the amino acid score of the diets (based on chemical analysis).
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Arroyave, G.: Amino acid requirements by age and sex. In: Nutrients in processed foods, P. L. White, D. C. Fletcher (eds.), p. 15. Acton, Mass.: Publ. Sciences Group, Inc. 1974
de Waard: Protein quality—for whom? Lancet1976 II, 100
Porter, J. W. G., Rolls, B. H. (eds.): Proteins in Human Nutrition, pp. 349–368. London: Academic Press 1973
el Lozy, M., Hegsted, P. M.: Calculation of the amino acid requirements of children at different ages by the factorial method. Amer. J. Clin. Nutr.28, 1052 (1975)
Report of a Joint FAO/WHO Ad Hoc Expert Committee. Energy and protein requirements. World Health Organization Techn. Rep. Ser. No.522 (1973)
Irwin, M. I., Hegsted, D. M.: A conspectus of research on amino acid requirements in man. J. Nutr.101, 385 (1971)
Svanberg, U. S.-O., Gebre-Medhin, M., Ljungqvist, B. G., Olsson, M. E.: Breast milk composition in Ethiopian and Swedish mothers. III. Amino acids and other nitrogenous substances. Amer. J. Clin. Nutr.30, 499 (1977)
PAG. Guideline on protein food mixtures for older infants and young children. PAG, United Nations, New York, N.Y., U.S.A. PAG Guideline No.8 (1970)
Björnesjö, K. B., Engsner, G., Gobezie, A., Jagenburg, R., Ljungqvist, B., Mellander, O.: Plasma amino acids in feeding children with a supplementary food mixture. Environ. Child Health19, 129 (1973)
Ågren, G., Eklund, A., Stenram, U., Nordgren, H.: Biological and toxicological feeding studies on Faffa, an Ethiopian protein-rich food for children. Ethiop. Med. J.11, 102 (1973)
Graham, G. G., Placko, R. P.: Postprandial plasma free methionine as an indicator of dietary methionine adequacy in the human infant. J. Nutr.103, 1347 (1973)
Graham, G. G., MacLean, W. C., Jr., Placko, R. P.: Plasma amino acids of infants consuming soybean proteins with and without added methionine. J. Nutr.106, 1307 (1976)
Ljungqvist, B. G., Svanberg, U. S.-O., Young, V. R.: Plasma amino acid response to single test meals in humans. II. Healthy young adults given synthetic amino acid mixtures. Res. Exp. Med. (Berl.)174, 13 (1978)
Ljungqvist, B. G., Olsson, M. E., Svanberg, U. S.-O.: Plasma amino acid response to single test meals in humans. III. Supplementary effect of dried skim milk and methionine on a vegetable protein mixture. Res. Exp. Med. (Berl.)174, 29 (1978)
Ljungqvist, B. G., Boström, S. L., Sjöberg, L. B., Svanberg, U. S.-O.: Plasma amino acid response to single test meals in humans. IV. Four low-cost protein supplements evaluated by chemical analysis, rat bioassay and plasma amino acid response. Res. Exp. Med. (Berl.)174, 111 (1979)
Ljungqvist, B. G.: Plasma amino acid response to single test meals in humans. I. A background review. Res. Exp. Med. (Berl.)174, 1 (1978)
Longenecker, J. B., Hause, N. L.: Relationship between plasma amino acids and composition of the ingested protein. Arch. Biochem.84, 46 (1959)
Longenecker, J. B., Hause, N. L.: Relationship between plasma amino acids and composition of the ingested protein. II. A shortened procedure to determine plasma amino acid (PAA) ratios. Amer. J. Clin. Nutr.9, 356 (1961)
Wilcoxon, F.: Individual comparisons by ranking methods. Biometrics1, 80 (1945)
Young, V. R.: The role of the skeletal and cardiac muscles in the regulation of protein metabolism. In: Mammalian protein metabolism, H. N. Munro (ed.), pp. 585–674. New York: Academic Press 1970
Young, V. R., Scrimshaw, N. S.: Nutritional evaluation of proteins and protein requirements, with particular reference to studies in man. (To be published)
Rutishauser, J. H. E., Waterlow, J. C.: Malnutrition in man. In: Early malnutrition and mental development, J. Cravioto, L. Hambraeus, B. Vahlqvist (eds.), p. 13. Sweden: Almqvist and Wiksell 1974
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Supported by grants from the Swedish Medical Research Council (No. K75-03X-3139-04A and No. B76-03X-3139-05B)
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ljungqvist, B.G., Björnesjö, K.B., Gebre-Medhin, M. et al. Plasma amino acid response to single test meals in humans. Res. Exp. Med. 174, 121–130 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01851324
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01851324