78 



Scientific Proceedings (104). 



45 (1505) 



The nutritive value of some nuts. 



By F. A. Cajori (by invitation). 



[From the Sheffield Laboratory of Physiological Chemistry in Yale 

 University, New Haven, Conn.] 



In earlier experiments on the utilization of protein-rich nuts 

 by man, it was found that the "coefficient of digestibility" was 

 practically equivalent to that of the protein coefficient of a mixed 

 diet. The conclusion was drawn that such nuts, when used in 

 the diet with due recognition of their concentrated make-up, are 

 of a physiological value comparable with that of our more common 

 foods. 1 



The investigation has been extended to a study of the nutritive 

 value of specific constituents of nuts. Johns' analysis of the 

 nitrogenous components of the peanut and coconut suggest that 

 they are sources of complete protein. 2, 3 . This has been verified 

 by the feeding experiments of Johns with the coconut 4 and Daniels 

 with the peanut. 5 Osborne and Mendel have maintained rats 

 over long periods on excelsin, the principal protein of the Brazil 

 nut, as the sole source of protein. 6 Following the same technique, 

 we have observed satisfactory growth on diets furnishing the 

 almond, English walnut, filbert, and pine nut, respectively, as the 

 essential source of protein in the ration, to the extent of 18 per 

 cent, of the total diet. Experiments with the pecan nut have as 

 yet been less successful. 



The presence of abundant quantities of water-soluble vitamine 

 in the coconut and peanut has already been demonstrated, 4 - 5 . 

 We have found that normal growth can be secured when rats are 

 fed upon otherwise adequate diets containing the almond, English 

 walnut, Brazil nut and chestnut as the sole source of water soluble 

 vitamine and that animals which have declined on a diet devoid of 



1 Cajori, F. A., 1918, J. of Home Econ., 10: 304. 



* Johns and Jones, 1917, J. of Bio. Chem., 30: 33. 



1 Johns, Finks and Gersdorff, 1919, /. of Bio. Chem., 37: 149. 



* Johns, Finks and Paul, 1919, J. of Bio. Chem., 37: 497. 

 6 Daniels and Loughlin, 191 7, /. of Bio. Chem., 33: 295. 



6 Osborne and Mendel, 1912, Zeit.f. Physiol. Chem., 80: 307. 



