Digestibility, intake, and growth performance of egg protein replaced with vegetable protein in weaning food

Abstract

Egg protein (EP) may help to decrease the risk of protein energy malnutrition (PEM) in infants. A 28 d research trial was conducted to examine the effect of different levels of EP on water intake, feed intake, nutrient digestibility, efficiency parameters, and anthropometric parameters in Wistar albino weaned pups. Weaning food was prepared by adding various EP in the diet (non-isonitrogenous and isocaloric) of 72 male and female rats to determine the best level for growth/development. Pups were randomly allotted to various concentrations of diet such as WF₀ (soybean protein), WF₁ (14% of EP), WF₂ (16% of EP), and WF₃ (18% of EP). Dry matter intake (DMI) was significant in pups fed with WF₂ (22.66 ± 0.27 g/kg on 0 d and 27.43 ± 0.32 g/kg on 28 d) and WF₃ (23.46 ± 0.28 g/kg on 0 d and 28.88 ± 0.33 g/kg on 28 d) diets as compared to the WF₀ (19.30 ± 0.24 g/kg on 0 d and 26.76 ± 0.31 g/kg on 28 d) and WF₁ (21.90 ± 0.26 g/kg on 0 d and 27.08 ± 0.32 g/kg on 28 day) diets. The crude fiber (CF) intake was significantly (P ≤ 0.05) reduced by increasing the level of EP in the diets of pups, while crude protein (CP) intake was increased with an increase in the EP levels. A similar trend was observed in ether extract (EE) intake. The DMI, CP, and EE digestibility were highest in pups fed the WF₃ diet. Likewise, a trend was noticed in the protein efficiency ratio, while the highest feed consumption ratio and consumption index were observed in pups fed a control diet. The weight gain and body length were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased in the pups fed with the different concentrations of EP. The WF₃ diet showed better growth after the best digestibility of the nutrients in pups and could therefore be recommended as an infant weaning food.

Keywords:

• EP
• Wistar albino weaned pups
• feed and water intake
• nutrient digestibility
• weight and length of body

Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to the Library Department, Government College University Faisalabad (GCUF), and IT Department, Higher Education Commission (HEC, Islamabad) for access to journals, books, and valuable databases. The research was completed after using the available resources in the Department and University. The chemical, equipment, and glassware were supported by HEC under Pakistan funded project (HEC/R&D/NRPU/2017/9287). The authors are also grateful to Kampala International University, Kampala, Uganda, for its support.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Consent for publication

All authors agreed for publication of this manuscript.

Ethical approval

The experimental procedure was approved by the Animal Ethical Committee of Government College University, Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan.

Availability of data and material

Even though adequate data has been given in the form of tables however, all authors declare that if more data required then the data will be provided on a request basis.

Author’s contribution

Muhammad Naeem performed the methods and investigation. Prof. Dr Mahr Un Nisa conceptualized the idea and provided supervision in analysis, while Muhammad Abdul Rahim, Khunsha Khalid, Nazir Ahmad, Nukhba Khalid, Muhammad Sarwar, and Chinaza Godswill Awuchi supported for original drafting of the manuscript. Chinaza Godswill Awuchi and Muhammad Abdul Rahim validated the study.

Additional information

Funding

The research work was funded by Pakistan Higher Education Commission (HEC) under Pakistan funded project [HEC/R&D/NRPU/2017/9287].

Notes on contributors

Muhammad Naeem

Muhammad Naeem is a PhD candidate at Government College University Faisalabad, Pakistan and Lecturer in National Institute of Food Science and Technology University of Agricuture, Pakistan.

Muhammad Abdul Rahim

Muhammad Abdul Rahim has expertise in Spray Drying, Extrusion Technology, Microencapsulation, Lipids Chemistry, Sensory Evaluation and Food Process Engineering. Currently, Dr. Muhammad Abdul Rahim is working as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Food & Nutrition, Times Institute, Multan, Punjab, Pakistan.

Mahr Un Nisa

Prof. Dr. Mahr-Un-Nisa working as the chairperson, department of Nutritional Sciences, Government College University, Faisalabad Pakistan. I am passionate about conducting quality research and publishing my findings. I published 150+ research articles and a book along with it furnished 50+ MPhil and 10 PhD students. I received the presidential award Iziz-I-Fazeelat. I am the executive vice president of world poultry science association (women wing). I have expertise in the field of both Animal Nutrition as well as Human Nutrition

Khunsha Khalid

Dr. Khunsha Khalid, having Bachelor's degree in Medicine and Surgery. With a profound year of clinical experience under her belt, Dr. Khalid has committed herself to serving the healthcare needs of underserved communities in a rural area. Beyond her clinical practice, Dr. Khalid's journey is marked by an unwavering passion for medical research. She firmly believes that research holds the power to shape a better world than yesterday, a conviction that fuels her dedication to advancing the field of medicine.

Nazir Ahmad

Dr Nazir Ahmad has been working as associate professor and researcher since February 2013 in department of Nutritional Sciences. He holds PhD degree in Nutrition and Biotechnology processes. He has the experience of working with international scientists during his master and doctoral studies in France where he did his master in immunological response to of milk proteins from International French Institute for Agriculture (INRA), Nantes, France and PhD degree on postprandial lipemia and hepatic function from University of Lorraine, Nancy, France. His research interests are to explore the functional characteristics of nutrients and biological evaluation in health and disease.

Nukhba Khalid

Dr. Nukhba Khalid has completed her degree in Pharm D from GCUF under the Faculty of Pharmaceuticals. She has graduated with exceptional grades and remarkably excelled in academics. Working under renowned staff of Pharmaceutical sciences at GCUF, Dr. Nukhba Khalid assisted in research for Intranasal Novasomes. Primarily she is interested in researching on Nano particles for drug delivery.

Muahammad Sarwar

Dr. Muhammad Sarwar is working as Dean, post-graduate studies and research, The University of Lahore(UOL)and also as Pro-Rector, UOL, Sargodha Campus. Based- upon his brilliant career and miraculous achievement The Higher Education Commission(HEC), Islamabad, awarded him titles of HEC Distinguished National Professor and Best University Teacher Award. The Ohio State University(OSU), Columbus, USA, also awarded him the title of OSU Distinguished Alumnus-2014. He executed 16 research projects and published more than 400 publications including 6 books.

Chinaza Godswill Awuchi

Chinaza Godswill Awuchi specialises in Food and Nutrition, with skills in biochemical analyses.