Corn Steepwater Solubles as a Source of Unknown Growth Factor(s) for Growing Chicks

THE subject concerning the role of unidentified nutrient sources in chick and poult nutrition has been ably reviewed by several workers (Briggs, 1952; Scott et al., 1954; Reid et al., 1956; Norris and Morrison, 1956; Couch et al., 1957). To date, evidence has been obtained which indicates the existence of at least three distinct unidentified factors, commonly referred to as the “fish,” “whey,” and “grass juice” factors. Results of recent investigations have also shown that a portion of the growth-promoting response, obtained by feeding crude sources of these factors to chicks, may be due to a substance which is inorganic in nature (Norris, 1955; Morrison et al., 1955; Dannenburg et al., 1955; Camp et al., 1955; Scott, 1957). The objectives of the studies reported herein were to determine (a) the effect of corn steepwater solubles, a by-product of the “steeping process” used in the corn wet milling industry in preparation . . .