Abstract
Effect of rice germ, rice germ koji, mycelium of Aspergillus oryzae or brewers' yeast on the growth of rats was examined on a basal diet consisting of polished rice, wheat flour, fish meal, soy bean oil and fresh radish leaves which are the staple foodstuffs for Japanese people. Though the average weight gain on the basal diet for 30 days was less than 50g, the growth was slightly stimulated by the rice germ containing diet and the addition of yeast, rice germ koji or mycelium of Aspergillus oryzae caused a remarkable weight gain, namely more than 100g for 30 days. The mycelium or koji cotnaining diet showed a much higher food efficiency than not only the basal diet, but also the germ or yeast diet. The fact suggests that mycelium of Aspergillus oryzae contains some specific growth factor (s).
