Six snack-type bars were manufactured, to contain oat and wheat germ and two different walnut levels, agglutinated with natural sweeteners and fats. Two bars also contained toasted amaranth with brown sugar cover and wheat extrudate, while two others, contained puffed instead of toasted amaranth. Water activity (Aw) and moisture were determined in the manufactured products. Quality and sensory evaluation and proximate analysis were carried out on the bars containing highest levels of walnuts (18%). The caloric contribution of the bars was computed by Atwater methods. The nutritional quality of the bars was determined by means of the Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER) and Net Protein Ratio (NPR), and the results were used to obtain relative PER and relative NPR. Samples of the latter bars were kept under accelerated storage for 15 days at 37 degrees C and analyzed every 5 days to determine their Aw, moisture, peroxide and sensory acceptability. The drying time for the cereal - and walnut - based bars was 45 min at 120 degrees C. All bars presented a good fiber supply and the CN1 bar, containing only oat, wheat germ and walnut, had the greatest protein content. In the sensory evaluation, the walnut level with the greatest preference was 18%. PER and NPR values of the bars did not differ significantly showing values approximately 86% that of the casein value. During storage, the moisture and Aw decreased in all the bars. Peroxides remained within the acceptable ranges; acceptability based on sensory evaluation remained best in the bar with toasted amaranth.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

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The possible use of tropical forage legumes in pastures based on Brachiaria decumbens and Andropogon gayanus pastures was tested on farms in the humid tropics region of Pucallpa, Peru. The pastures were established by farmers using manual labour. They were associated with maize in some cases and were normally grown without fertilizers. The pastures were established in areas where fallow regrowth was felled and burnt. These pastures, with grass-alone controls, were incorporated by farmers into their normal paddock rotation and were grazed by dualpurpose cows. Despite the variable terrain and soil conditions, all the pastures established and persisted well. Over a four year period under grazing, the legume contribution to the forage averaged 21 % and ranged between 1 and 66%. Desmodium ovalifolium was the dominant legume in paddocks that were not burnt, whereas in pastures regularly burnt to control weeds it tended to disappear and Stylosanthesguianensis was the main legume present. It is concluded that where farmers ensure the maintenance of adequate levels of forage, grass-legume mixtures are a viable and persistent option even if the pasture is occasionally burnt. Actuation de los eriales de cesped-legumbres en granjas en la selva tropical Peruana RESUMENEl posible uso de legumbres forrajeras tropicales en los eriales basados en Brachiaria decumbens y Andropogon gayanus se puso a prueba en las explotaciones agncolas de la humeda region tropical de Pucallpa, Peru. Los agricultores establecieron los eriales utilizando la mano de obra manual. Los eriales estaban asociados con el mafz el algunos casos y se cultivaron normalmente sin fertilizantes. Los eriales se establecieron en zonas en que la resiembra en barbecho se talaba y se quemaba. Los agricultores incorporaron estos eriales, con controles de cesped solamente, a su rotation normal de potreros y las vacas de finalidad doble pastaban en ellos. A pesar de las variables condiciones del terreno y el suelo, todos los eriales se establecieron y persistieron bien. En un plazo de cuatro afios de pasto, la contribution de la legumbre al forraje era de una media de un 21% y vario entre un 1 y un 66%. La legumbre dominante en los potreros que no se quemaron fue el Desomdium ovalifolium, mientras que en los eriales que se quemaban con regularidad para controlar las malas hierbas tendi'a a desaparecer, y la Stylosanthes guianensis fue la principal legumbre presente. Se concluyo que en los lugares donde los agricultores garantizan el mantenimiento de niveles adecuados de forraje, las mezclas de legumbre-cesped son una option viable y persistente aun cuando se queme ocasionalmente el erial.

Five new cultivars of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) recently released were analyzed for their proximate chemical composition and protein biological quality. The crude protein content in these cultivars ranged from 21.9 percent in cultivar Arroz 3 to 26.9 percent in cultivar Tórtola Diana (dry matter basis). Rats fed cultivar Tórtola INIA gained more weight, had a higher protein intake and registered higher PER and NPR than Tórtola corriente. On the other hand, rats consuming cultivars Arroz 3 and Fleetwood had lower weight gain, lower protein intake and lower PER and NPR than cultivar Coscorrón corriente. However, all these cultivars have a relatively good protein value as compared to other plant protein sources.

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