Utilization of Safflower Meal by the Chick and Its Effect Upon Plasma Lysine and Methionine Concentrations

RENEWED interest in safflower meal a s a protein source for livestock feed has resulted from increased production of safflower seed in the United States and Mexico in recent years. It is grown primarily for its oil content which ranges from 20% to 40% and the meal is a by-product of the oil industry. Undecorticated safflower meal contains between 20% and 24% and as high as 35% fiber. It is possible to remove a large portion of the hull, resulting in a meal between 42 and 44% protein content and approximately 14% fiber. The use of high protein safflower meal was first reported by Kratzer and Williams (1947). A meal prepared in their laboratory was fed to chicks as the only source of protein, with addition of amino acids, to determine specific deficiencies The omission of arginine, methionine and lysine singly or glycine and cystine together resulted in significant decreases…