title: Spirulina acceptability trials in rats. A study for the "MELISSA" life-support system.
abstract: Groups of five rats were fed for sixteen weeks a slightly deficient diet, supplemented with 0-40% of a dried preparation of the blue-green alga Spirulina as a protein source. Control groups were fed a normal rat diet.  No significant differences between groups were found in food intake, growth rate or carbon dioxide production. All animals remained apparently healthy, and had similar organ weights. The study suggests that Spirulina may be used as a protein source in rat diets.
authors.affiliation: Gaubius Laboratory, Leiden, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tranquille
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Emeis
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: de Chambure
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Binot
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tamponnet
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000378:metabolism; D000458:Cyanobacteria; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004435:Eating; D018504:Ecological Systems, Closed; D005526:Food, Formulated; D006321:Heart / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D007668:Kidney / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008021:Life Support Systems; D008099:Liver / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008168:Lung / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008297:Male; D009753:Nutritive Value; D009929:Organ Size; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D004044:Dietary Proteins; D002245:Carbon Dioxide