OBJECTIVE: The present work describes the biological evaluation of an experimental diet containing Champingnon do Brasil (Agaricus brasiliensis) as the main protein source for a rat experimental model. METHODS: For this purpose, 24 21-day-old male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups of 8 animals each and were fed with a standard casein diet or an experimental Agaricus diet both with 10% protein and isoenergetic or a very low protein diet. A biological assay was done for 28 days by determining the concentration of nitrogen in the urine and stools and calculating the Food Efficiency Ratio (weight gain divided by food intake), Protein Efficiency Ratio (weight gain divided by protein intake), Net Protein Ratio (corrected weight gain divided by protein intake) and True Digestibility. RESULTS: The results showed that when Champignon do Brasil was used as the only source of protein in the diet, the Protein Quality indices were low (Food Efficiency Ratio=0.08, Protein Efficiency Ratio=0.92 and Net Protein Ratio=3.00) when compared with the standard casein diet (Food Efficiency Ratio=0.30, Protein Efficiency Ratio=3.05 and Net Protein Ratio=4.21). The indices obtained for Agaricus were comparable to some plant protein sources and can be explained by the first and second limiting amino acids, lysine and leucine, respectively. CONCLUSION: The data show that Agaricus brasiliensis is a good source of protein when combined with other vegetables that are common in the typical Brazilian diet.
Agaricus brasiliensis; Experimental Diets; Nutrition assessment
