Effect of Methionine,Vitamin B 12 and Antibiotics Supplementation on Protein Nutritive Value of Navy Beans. ∗

Summary

Supplementation with methionine and or Vit. B₁₂ failed to correct growth depression but reduced mortality in rats fed ran navy beans. Antibiotics supplementation prevented weight losses and in combination with methionine and Vit. B₁₂ promoted limited growth. Rats fed autoclaved beans supplemented with methionine grew as well as rats fed casein. Protein efficiency ratio (PER) values of autoclaved beans supplemented with Vit. B₁₂ and or antibiotics were significantly loner than of those beans supplemented with methionine. Antibiotics may act to overcome growth depression by increasmg the digestibility or absorption of nutrienti and it is suggested that antibiotics may also act by inhibiting an enzyme involved in liberating a “bound” growth inhibitor from raw beans.