The Determination of the Minimum Nitrogen Requirement of the Adult Dog for Maintenance of Nitrogen Balance

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Abstract
Since the biological value of any protein or mixture of amino acids will be dependent, at least in part, on the amino acid that is present in the lowest proportion to its quantitative requirement, it is possible to determine the relative values of nitrogen sources by determining the minimum quantity necessary for maintenance of nitrogen balance. It has been shown that only 90 mg of nitrogen per kilogram of body weight is required in the form of lactalbumin, and 140 mg of nitrogen per kilogram of body weight as casein, a partial acid hydrolysate of casein fortified with tryptophane, a complete acid hydrolysate of casein fortified with tryptophane, or an enzymatic hydrolysate of casein. However, when fortified with adequate amounts of methionine, either casein itself or the hydrolysates will maintain nitrogen balance with only 90 mg of nitrogen per kilogram of body weight.