Penicillium mycelium waste as protein supplement in animals.

Dried Penicillium mycelium served as a protein source in animal diet when it was supplemented at 7.5% protein level along with 7.5% protein level from peanut meal. Under these conditions, the food consumption was optimal, and the rat growth response was comparable with 15% casein diet. The role of peanut meal appears to be twofold; it makes the mycelium diet more palatable and it supplies protein. The amino acids, lysine and threonine, which are found to be limiting in peanut meal, are reported to be present in the Penicillium mycelium. This type of formulation affords considerable economic advantage because both the peanut meal and the Penicillium mycelium are by-products and, therefore, are inexpensive sources of protein.