Molasses,Sorghum,and Honey as Sources of Vitamin E.

Abstract

Previous work in this laboratory has shown that cane molasses is a good source of vitamin B. Data accumulated during the past year show that it is also a good source of the reproductive vitamin. The following products have been studied for their content of vitamin E: cane molasses or black strap, 3 kinds of beet molasses, sorghum, and honey. The 3 different beet molasses studied were: straight beet, Steffen, and barium residue molasses.

Crude cane or black strap molasses when added to a synthetic diet to the extent of 3% furnishes a good source of vitamin E. Five per cent in the ration proved ample not only for reproduction but also for rearing of young. Ninety-two per cent of the young were weaned on the 5% level and 58% on the 3% level. Beet molasses and sorghum contain some vitamin E but much less than cane molasses. The straight beet molasses was richer in vitamin E than the other kinds of beet molasses. No young were obtained on rations containing honey equivalent to 3 and 5% of the ration. The basal diet employed in these experiments consisted of purified casein 18, salt mixture (185) 3.7, filtered butter fat 5, yeast 12, and dextrin to 100. First litters are invariably born on this diet and since no young were born on the diets containing honey it may be that this is due to an anti-vitamin E factor.

The experiments in this paper employed 12 animals on the control and 12 animals on each of the different products tested. Since each product was run at two levels (5 and 3%) six animals were employed on the experimental rations on each level.