Brewer's yeast was submitted to analytical studies to determine its chemical composition and through biological assays with rats to determine its protein value in the form of integral cells and after mechanical rupture of the cell walls in a dynomill with glass spheres. The main components of the biomass was protein (48.5%), carbohydrate (32.9%), minerals (8.3%), RNA (7.5%) and total lipids (3.4%). The protein amino acids profile is adequate for human nutrition, supplying all the essencial amino acids recommended by FAO/WHO/UNU, being particularly rich in lysine and could be indicated for complementation of cereals protein. The protein value established by biological assays (PER, NPUa) represented 70 to 80% of casein, utilized in this study as reference.
Brewer's yeast; biomass; chemical composition; protein value
