Limiting Amino Acids in Cereals

Question

Limiting amino acid in pulses is methionine while in cereals is:

Select an answer

Limiting amino acid in pulses is methionine while in cereals is:

  1. Lysine — Correct Answer
  2. Glycine
  3. Methionine
  4. Arginine
Explanation:
Correct Answer: Lysine

In cereals (grains), the first limiting amino acid is Lysine. This is a fundamental nutritional concept — while pulses are deficient in methionine, cereals are deficient in lysine, making their combination (pulse + cereal) a complementary protein source.

Limiting Amino Acids by Feed/Species
Source / Species First Limiting / Main EAA
Cereals (grains) Lysine
Pulses / Legumes Methionine
Pig Lysine
Poultry Glycine
Sheep Methionine
Cat Taurine
Lysine in Animal Nutrition
  • Lysine is mainly susceptible to Maillard-type reaction (during overheating in hay/feed processing)
  • Brown hay (mow-burnt hay) has reduced lysine availability due to Maillard reaction
  • The brown colour of hay is due to Maillard-type reaction
Why Other Options Are Wrong
  • Glycine → first limiting AA in poultry; not in cereals
  • Methionine → first limiting AA in pulses and sheep; not in cereals
  • Arginine → not typically the first limiting AA in cereals under standard conditions

📚 About this Topic — Animal Nutrition

This multiple choice question is from Animal Nutrition, Animal Refresher. It has 4 options with a detailed explanation of the correct answer. Practice more MCQs from Animal Nutrition to strengthen your preparation.

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