Effects on urine volume and composition of rats fed protein concentrates from rapeseed and sunflower seed, with blood, post‐mortem and histo‐pathological observations

Rapeseed and sunflower‐seed protein concentrates were used as the sole source of dietary protein for male and female rats for a 90‐day period at 10 or 20 % levels of protein. Urine and blood analysis as well as histo‐pathological examinations of organs were carried out in order to evaluate the safety of the products. An increased diuresis was provoked by both types of protein supplement but the renal excretion of α‐amino nitrogen, urea, protein, reducing substances and phosphate seemed unchanged. Rats fed on sunflower‐seed protein showed an increase in multivesicular lysosome‐like bodies in the liver cell cytoplasm. Otherwise no adverse effects were observed.