Language: Spanish
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Page: S5-S6
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ABSTRACT

Rationale: Nutritional quality of food proteins is enhanced by means of admixtures of several sources. Nutrient, chemical and amino acid composition of cereals and legumes consumed as part of the diet of communities living in the ecuadorian Andes is known. Biological quality of protein admixtures obtained through combinations of different proportions of cereals and legumes is of interest. Objective: To design, define and assess the biological quality, and the costs of elaboration, of different admixtures of proteins obtained from cereals and legumes traditionally consumed in the ecuadorian Andes. Study design: Experimental. Methods: Admixtures of vegetable proteins were obtained through the combination of variable proportions of cereals (C) such as rice (Oryza sativa), wheat (Triticum aestivum), oat (Avena sativa), and maize (Zea mays) with legumes (L) chocho (Lupinus mutabilis), peas (Pisum sativum), lentils (Lens culinaris), and beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) following a 4 x 4 factorial design. For each CL factor 9 proportions with differing parts of the cereal C = 1, 2, 3, …, 9 vs. L = 9, 8, 7, …, 1 parts of the corresponding legume. A tenth 2:1 CL admixture was prepared in order to document the biological quality of an “ideal” cereal:legume admixture. Nitrogen content of the cereal:legume admixture obtained in each iteration of the factorial design was determined with the Kjedahl method. Amino acid quality of the cereal:legume admixture was estimated by means of the aminoacid scoring. The FAO/WHO/UNU (1985) reference protein for children with ages between 2 – 5 years was used as standard in the calculation of the amino acid scoring. In addition, costs of elaboration of the experimentally obtained cereal:legume admixtures were calculated. Results: Lysine (Lys) was the limiting amino acid of the studied cereals (0.46 – 0.65 score regarding the reference standard). On the other hand, sulfur-containing amino acids methionine + cysteine (Met + Cys) were limiting the amino acid quality of legumes (0.69 – 0.86 scoring regarding the standard). Onehundred- forty-four cereal:legume admixtures were obtained. Desired biological quality was achieved with 99 out of the 144 admixtures. Cost of a kilogram of proteins of animal sources represents double (and even triple) the cost of proteins from vegetable sources, and of the corresponding admixtures. Conclusions: Admixtures of cereals and legumes can be used for infant feeding in proportions securing the best amino acid and biological quality, with the purpose of reducing the high rates of infant malnutrition and other specified nutrient deficiencies.