2006, Volume 12 No. 1

ARTICLE 7

Urinary Amino Acids Profile of Vegetarians and Non-vegetarians

Chia Yoke Yin & Ton So Ha
Monash University Malaysia, No. 2 Jalan Kolej, Bandar Sunway, 46150 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

ABSTRACT
The objective of the study was to quantify and to profile the amino acids content in urine samples. The amino acids content in urine was determined in 162 individuals (62 young non-vegetarians aged 15-45 years, 24 elderly non-vegetarians aged 46-70 years, 40 young vegetarians and 36 elderly vegetarians) by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The most common amino acids detected in the young and elderly individuals on vegetarian and non-vegetarian diets were phenylalanine, threonine, arginine and asparagine, while leucine, aspartic acid and alanine were not found in any urine samples in both groups. Isoleucine was not detected in the urine of vegetarians. The concentrations of the majority of essential amino acids were between 0.10-2.00 mgl24hrs except for histidine which had a range of 4.1-5.0 mgl24hrs. The concentrations of non-essential amino acids varied. Proline, glycine and tyrosine concentrations were between 0.10-1.00 mg/24hrs, while cysteine, glutamine, glutamic acid and cystine concentrations were between 11.0-21.0 mg124hrs. Asparagine and hydroxy-proline had a range of 0.10-5.00 mg/24hrs, while serine and arginine ranged between 31.0-50.0 mg124hrs. Isoleucine and serine were not detected in elderly vegetarians while histidine, glycine, glutamic acid and hydroxy-proline were not detected in elderly non-vegetarians. Isoleucine, glycine and hydroxy-proline were detected in young non-vegetarians but not in young vegetarians. The levels of amino acids showed no significant statistical differences between young vegetarians and non-vegetarians as well as between elderly vegetarians and non-vegetarians. Phenylalanine, threonine and trypthophan were commonly detected in the lacto-ovo and lacto vegetarians, while valine, cysteine, arginine and asparagine were commonly detected in vegans. In conclusion, except for isoleucine, general differences were seen in urinary amino acid excretions between vegetarians and non-vegetarians even though the differences were statistically not significant. Therefore lacto-ovo diets could be nutritionally adequate as the nutrients were substituted by dairy or plant products.

Full Article >>