Staple food crops from Brazilian Biofortification Program have high protein quality and hypoglycemic action in Wistar rats

Abstract Biofortified staple food crops have become an effective tool by which to address micronutrient deficiencies in many at-risk populations. The effect of these food crops on the micronutrient status has been evaluated, however there is no studies investigating their protein quality, neither by themselves or in a food combination. Thus, this study investigated the effect of combinations of beans and rice, target for biofortification, with high carotenoids content crops (sweet potato and pumpkin) on protein quality, intestinal function and glycemia. Eight groups were evaluated (n=6): 1) rice + Caupi bean (RCB); 2) rice + Pontal bean (RPB); 3) rice + Caupi bean + pumpkin (RCBP); 4) rice + Pontal bean + pumpkin (RPBP); 5) rice + Caupi bean + sweet potato (RCBS); 6) rice + Pontal bean + sweet potato (RPBS); 7) casein (positive control); and 8) nitrogen free (negative control). Tested groups showed high protein quality, and groups containing Caupi bean showed higher true digestibility. Groups containing Pontal bean had a greater reduction of blood glucose compared to casein. Tested groups showed higher fecal excretion of lipids. Combination of food target for biofortification showed high protein quality, and the combinations containing Pontal beans showed hypoglycemic effect.