The Metabolism of Nitrogen, Calcium and Phosphorus in Human Adults on a poor Vegetarian Diet Containing Ragi ( Eleusine coracana )

Abstract

I, The intake and absorption of nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus were studied in eight men fed on a poor vegetarian diet based on ragi. The composition of the diet was similar to that consumed by the poorer people in Mysore State. 2. All the experimental subjects maintained a positive N balance, the average daily intake and retention being 10.6 and 1.1 g. The excretion of N in faeces was very high (5-5 g) ; the apparent digestibility of the proteins from the diet was only 50 % . 3. The average daily intake and retention of Ca were 3-4 and 0.1 g. All the subjects maintained a positive Ca balance. 4. The average daily P intake and retention were 2.3 and 0.2 g. All the subjects maintained a positive P balance. The average daily intake of phytate P was 1.8 g, which amounted to about 80 yo of the total P ingested. The average daily excretion of phytate P in faeces was only 0-3 g. About 85 % of the ingested phytate was found to have been hydrolysed