Amino Acid Supplementation of Cereal Grains as Related to the World Food Supply

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Abstract
Calculations indicate that for the cereal-eating populations of the world, shortage of protein is one of quality rather than quantity. Evidence has been advanced to the effect that under the most adverse conditions, i.e., subsistence entirely upon cereal grains with no intake of animal protein, the protein consumed when caloric requirements are satisfied would be adequate both for infants and adults if it were of a quality comparable to the animal proteins. Data are then presented to show that amino acid supplementation involving only lysine, tryptophan and threonine will, without exception, increase the quality of the proteins of the staple cereals to make them comparable to a standard milk protein, casein. It should follow that proper amino acid supplementation of the cereal-based diets of the world with these amino acids will prevent the development of protein deficiencies.