Maize is deficient in which amino acid: (A) Leucine, (B) Methionine, (C) Tryptophan, (D) Phenylalanine
Answer is C. The proteins of maize are deficient in tryptophan and lysine; while some strains contain an excess of leucine. Excess of leucine or deficiency of tryptophan causes decreased synthesis of niacin in the body. This explains the pellagragenic action of maize.