The nutritive values and effects of niboshi (Boiled and dried sardine) on body composition of rat were examined. Growth rates of rats fed niboshi diet were mostly the same as those fed casein diet. True digestibility of niboshi protein was lower than that of casein. The biological value of the protein was similar to that of casein. The level of total plasma cholesterol and the rate of body fat accumulation in rats fed the niboshi diet were lower than those fed the casein diet. niboshi was thus considered to be useful protein source and to control the accumulation of body fat.
