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Possible use of alfalfa ( Medicago sativa ) as supplement in infant nutrition: Comparison of weight gained by rats fed on alfalfa and a popular weaning diet
Author(s) -
Takyi E E K,
Kido Y,
Rikimaru T,
Kennedy D O
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
journal of the science of food and agriculture
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 142
eISSN - 1097-0010
pISSN - 0022-5142
DOI - 10.1002/jsfa.2740590116
Subject(s) - medicago sativa , weaning , biology , nutrient , zoology , body weight , food science , agronomy , endocrinology , ecology
Rats (Wistar strain, 3 weeks old, 12 rats per group) were fed either Alfamix (alfalfa nutrient cake and roasted corn 1:4 w) or Weanimix (roasted groundnut:roasted corn, 1:4 w) or stock diet (commercial rat diet) for 4 weeks to compare the ability of Alfamix and Weanimix to support the growth and general well‐being of the rats. Results indicated that rats fed on Alfamix consumed significantly more feed (11.95 g day −1 ) than those fed on Weanimix (9.47 g day −1 ). Furthermore the protein efficiency ratio of the Alfamix group (1.41) was significantly higher than that for the Weanimix group (0.96); consequently, the weight gained by the Alfamix group was higher than that by the Weanimix group. There were no significant differences in the haematological indices of the two groups. These results suggest that alfalfa nutrient cake incorporated into weaning diets of children could enhance their nutritional status.