Topics:
Animal Nutrition, Animal Refresher
Limiting Amino Acids in Grains and Pulses
Limiting amino acid (or) deficient amino acid in pulses & cereal grains are respectively:
- Methionine & Lysine — Correct Answer
- Leucine & methionine
- Lysine & methionine
- Methionine & Leucine
Explanation:
Correct Answer: Methionine (pulses) and Lysine (cereal grains)
Pulses (legumes) are deficient in Methionine (sulphur-containing amino acid), while cereal grains are deficient in Lysine. This complementarity is the basis of combining cereals with legumes in diet formulation for improved protein quality.
Limiting Amino Acids by Feed Category
| Feed Type | First Limiting AA | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cereal grains (maize, wheat, rice) | Lysine | Cereal proteins (prolamins) are Lys-poor |
| Pulses / Legumes (soybean, groundnut) | Methionine | Rich in Lys but low in Met |
| Fish meal | Generally complete | Good balance of all EAAs |
Complementarity Principle
- Cereal (rich in Met, low in Lys) + Legume (rich in Lys, low in Met) = complementary protein.
- Classic example: Rice + Lentils (dal-chawal) — nutritionally complete protein combination.
- This principle is widely used in human and livestock diet formulation globally.
Why Other Options Are Wrong
- Leucine & methionine → Leucine is not a major limiting amino acid in standard feeds.
- Lysine & methionine → reverses the assignment; Lysine is limiting in grains, not pulses.
- Methionine & Leucine → Leucine is not the limiting amino acid in cereal grains.
📚 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.
