TROPICAL FOOD MATERIALS 55 



From an average of the results obtained in feeding experiments 

 on batches of Indian prisoners, the absorption of the nitrogenous 

 and carbohydrate constituents worked out to be protein, 

 57-6 per cent. ; carbohydrates, 96-0 per cent.* In his digestion 

 experiments on the Japanese, Oshima*)" found practically identical 

 figures viz., protein, 59-8 per cent. ; carbohydrates, 96-7 per 

 cent., absorbed. 



In dietaries where barley is substituted for part of the wheat, 

 the average percentage of protein absorption falls, the extent of 

 the fall depending on the degree of substitution. This takes 

 place on an extensive scale all over India, as the wheat is grown 

 largely mixed with barley, so that on being ground to meal there is 

 obtained a mixture of wheat and barley. The protein absorption 

 from this mixture usually averages between 65 and 70 per cent. 



Juar (Andropogon Sorghum or Sorghum vulgare) is one of the 

 high-growing millets. It is seldom grown alone, usually with 

 some of the creeping pulses. Juar is one of the most important 

 of the rainy-season crops of India, forming with rice and wheat 

 the chief staple foods of the country. It is ground to meal, and 

 from it are prepared unleavened bread, porridge, and other 

 preparations. Its chemical composition was found to be 



Protein 7-67 per cent. 



Carbohydrates 67-26 



Fat 2-77 



Like barley, it shows very defective protein absorption, the 

 average over a large number of feeding experiments being 

 protein, 53 per cent. ; carbohydrates, 97-8 per cent., absorbed. 



Bajra (Pennisetum typhoideum) is another large millet. As an 

 article of food it is much esteemed in some parts of India. The 

 seeds are ground to meal and baked into cakes, or it is prepared 

 as porridge. Boiled with milk, it is said to form a light and 

 pleasant meal for invalids. The chemical composition of this 

 food was found to be 



Protein 8-72 per cent. 



Carbohydrate? 7340 



Fat 1-90 



Over a large number of observations, the average protein 

 absorption worked out inferior to that of all other cereals, being 

 only 494 per cent. 



* Scientific Memoirs, Government of India, No. 48. 



t Oshima, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Bulletin No. 159. 



