The quality of proteins from ungerminated and germinated fluted pumpkin (
Telferia
occidentalis
)
seeds was investigated using male Wistar albino rats. The proteins were found to have high true digestibility (TD)
and feed conversion ratio (FCR). There was no significant difference (p<0.05) between the net protein retention
(NPR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), protein retention efficiency (PRE), Nitrogen efficiency ratio (NER), feed
efficiency ratio (FER), net protein utilization (NPU) and relative NPR (RNPR) of the ungerminated and germinated
seeds, while the Net protein value (NPV) of the ungerminated seeds was significantly lower (p<0.05) than that of the
germinated seeds. Our results reveal the great potential of Telferia occidentalis seed protein as a source of dietary
protein especially in the preparation of protein supplements and formulation of new diets. @ JASEM
