Amino acids profile of the fancy meats of the african giant pouch rat (Cricetomys gambianus)

The levels of amino acids were determined in the tongue,liver,kidney and heart (fancy meats) of african giant pouch rat {cricetomys gambianus) on dry weight basis. the results showed that the total essential amino acids ranged from 40.2-43.8 g/100 g crude protein or 46.4-48.4% of the total amino acids. the amino acid scores showed that lys ranged from 0.97-1.12 (on whole hen's egg comparison),1.10-1.27 (on provisional essential amino acid scoring pattern),and 1.04-1.20 (on suggested requirement of the essential amino acid of a pre-school child). the predicted protein efficiency ratio was 2.15-2.62,the essential amino acid index range was 1.14-1.31 and the calculated isoelectric point range was 4.82-5.22. the chi square (x2) test was low and none of the parameters were significantly different at a = 0.05 on all the comparisons made. results had good comparison with whole hen's egg protein and other standard proteins.