American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol 9, 331-344, Copyright © 1961 by The American Society for Clinical Nutrition, Inc.

Lysine and Potassium Supplementation of Wheat Protein

¹ From the Driscoll Foundation Children's Hospital, Corpus Christi, Texas, the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and Baylor University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

In order to evaluate lysine as a supplement to wheat to improve nitrogen retention of infants fed white wheat flour as a chief source of protein, twenty-two male malnourished infants were studied by nitrogen balance technics. Infants were fed 1.2 to 4 gm. of protein/kg./day and 75 to 120 calories/kg./day. Most consistent effects of supplementation were obtained at protein intakes of 1.75 to 3 gm./kg., caloric intakes of 75 to 100 calories/kg./day, and over 2 mEq. potassium/kg./day.

The nutritional value of refined wheat protein can be improved by simultaneous supplementation of lysine and potassium. The effect of lysine was demonstrated confirming previous animal experiments. The data also indicate the essentiality of an adequate potassium intake for efficient protein metabolism.

The data indicate that the value of refined wheat protein supplemented with potassium and lysine is close to milk. Wheat supplemented with potassium and lysine, as determined in this study, is an adequate source of protein for growing infants for the periods covered by this study. Wheat-milk mixtures were not improved by supplementation with lysine and potassium. The lysine and potassium were effective only when mixed with the daily wheat diet.