MICROBIAL PROTEINS IN DIETS FOR RATS

Abstract

Two experiments involving 130 rats were conducted to evaluate the nutritive value of three microbial proteins for rats. In one of the experiments, diets containing 0, 20 and 30% microbial protein were offered for 21 days. Inclusion of up to 20% microbial protein did not significantly affect liveweight gain but a comparatively poor feed conversion efficiency was manifested at levels above 10% inclusion of the protein concentrate in the diet. In a second experiment, the microbial protein was incorporated at a level of 30% as the sole source of protein to measure the digestibility of nitrogen and RNA. The apparent digestibility of nitrogen was 80 - 89% and that of RNA was 76 - 83%.