The effect of a mixture of beans, rice and cassava flour enriched with yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) protein was assessed in weanling male Wistar rats (n=60), during 28 days. The following diets were used: experimental (beans, rice and manioc flour with yeast protein; beans, rice and cassava flour without yeast protein); control (cassava flour with yeast protein); and standard (casein). The biological test were determined. The organs were removed for evaluation of wet and dry weights (left kidney, spleen and liver and brain samples), protein levels (liver and brain), and histopathology (heart, right kidney and liver). Carcass total lipids were also recorded. Results were statistically analyzed by the Nonparametric Test of Kruskal-Wallis and the Test of Multiple Comparisons (p<0.05). The highest values for all investigated parameters were found in the casein-fed group, followed by the experimental groups. Data suggest that flour enriched with yeast protein can be recommended as a dietary supplement to eradicate the nutritional deficiency in the poor population.
yeasts; proteins; Saccharomyces cerevisiae; vegetable mixtures; food fortification; rats; cassava flour; food; fortifield
