Abstract: In this study, we assessed the ameliorative effect of dietary intervention with freeze-dried tempeh powder prepared using different processes on protein malnutrition in BALB/c mice by blood biochemical analysis, histopathological assays and intestinal microbiota 16S rDNA metagenomics technology. The results showed that compared with the low-protein diet feeding group, the levels of albumin, total protein, hemoglobin (HB), insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in the serum of protein-malnourished mice fed freeze-dried tempeh powder returned to the normal level, the uniformity, richness and diversity of intestinal flora were improved, the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Lawsonicacter increased, and the relative expression of a variety of genes increased, indicating that fed freeze-dried tempeh powder regulated life processes such as protein metabolism. In conclusion, freeze-dried tempeh powder can significantly ameliorate protein malnutrition in mice, and its effect is comparable to that of complete protein (casein) at the same mass.

Key words: protein malnutrition; tempeh; dietary intervention; mouse model; gut microbiota