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The protein quality of Lupinus albus cv Multolupa was evaluated in young adult males using the nitrogen balance technique at graded levels of N intake, and compared with egg protein. Lupin protein was consumed at levels of 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 g/(kg.d) and egg protein at 0.3, 0.45 and 0.6 g/(kg.d). Each period started with 1 d of consuming a protein-free diet; the next 6 d were used as adaptation and the last 4 d for balance. The levels of protein intake were randomly assigned by a modified Latin square. Energy intake was individually adjusted. Mean apparent N digestibility values of lupin protein were 78.8, 76.1 and 70.2% for the levels of 0.8, 0.6 and 0.4 g protein(kg.d), respectively, and 83.8, 78.3 and 67.1% for egg protein consumed at levels of 0.6, 0.45 and 0.3 g protein/(kg.d), respectively. The N balance results obtained when subjects consumed lupin were 16.4, 0.2 and -15.1 mg N/(kg.d) for protein intakes of 0.8, 0.6 and 0.4 g/(kg.d), respectively. Those obtained for egg consumption were 12.6, -3.6 and -17.1 mg N/(kg.d) for protein intakes of 0.6, 0.45 and 0.3 g/(kg.d), respectively. The linear regressions of intake and absorbed N to retained N for lupin were: N retained = -43.41 + 0.50 N intake and N retained = -36.30 + 0.53 N absorbed. The corresponding regressions for egg were: N retained = -45.0 + 0.65 N intake and N retained = -30.65 + 0.58 N absorbed. The net protein utilization of lupin was 77% that of egg protein.

To evaluate copper nutritional status and the effect of a Cu supplement during recuperation, 27 marasmic infants were selected on admission to the nutrition recovery center at the Instituto de Nutrición y Tecnología de los Alimentos. Thirteen infants received 80 micrograms/kg/day of copper supplement as sulphate and the remaining a placebo. They were paired by birth weight, age, and sex. Anthropometric indices, complete blood count, ceruloplasmin, and Cu were measured on admission and at monthly intervals. Superoxide dismutase activity was measured in hypocupremic infants and was found to be low. The mean +/- SE Cu levels on admission were 127 +/- 10 micrograms/dl for the supplemented group and 137 +/- 10 micrograms/dl for the control. We found an increase in plasma Cu to 159 and 162 micrograms/dl on days 30 and 60 in the supplement group, and a significant decrease after day 30 in the placebo group. The ceruloplasmin levels followed this trend. Hypocupremia was found in 30% of the placebo group and none in the supplement group. The placebo group had a significantly higher prevalence of severe lower respiratory infections. It is concluded that a significant proportion of marasmic infants fed a milk-based diet present, during recovery, biochemical evidence of Cu deficiency. Supplementation with Cu is suggested.