Metabolic Availability of Methionine in Mung Beans

The goal of this study is to determine the protein quality of Philippine mung beans. The main objective of this study is to determine the metabolic availability of methionine in mung beans that the body can use. We will test the mung beans by studying them after cooking them as sauté. This research is being done in order to bridge the gap between knowledge of protein requirement and the amount of food needed to meet that requirement. Results from this study will be important for recommendations guiding food choices of mung beans as a major protein source in the diet. Each study participant will be part of seven (7) different experimental diets, and randomly assigned to one of the diets every time. Four (4) reference diets would be based on egg protein composition, and three (3) test diets will have protein from cooked mung beans. Each experimental diet will be studied over 3 days: 2 adaptation days and 1 study day. The meals during the 2-day adaptation period would be consumed at home. On the study day, following a 10 to 12-h overnight fast, the study participants will come to the research unit at the Department of Science - Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI), Gen. Santos Ave., Bicutan, Taguig City, Philippines, for a period of 8 to 9 hours and consume the diets as 9 hourly meals.