X-Message-Number: 21771
Date: Sat, 17 May 2003 20:52:04 -0700 (PDT)
From: Doug Skrecky <>
Subject: 88'th update on fly longevity experiments

    This is the 88'th update of my fly longevity experiments. Average
temperature was 19.9 C during this run. Estimated maximal longevity using
the formula (363 - T*11.2) is 140 days.
    Here I test NAD and niacin at doses higher than those used in run #85,
with null results.
    I also tried retesting rice protein, both new and old batches.
Previous results in run #56 suggest rice protein is active in prolonging
fly lifespan mostly in the absence of citric acid, which had since become
a standard addition, since this acid keeps the fly food "fresh" and
thereby increases fly lifespan. Unfortunately I added a little extra water
in the current run, in the mistaken belief that the protein might exert a
dehydrating effect. Instead the surface of the fly food became slightly
sticky, which past experience has warned me is not a good thing for fly
longevity. In the presence of citric acid, the rice protein was slightly
detrimental, due I believe to this excess moisture. In the absence of
citric acid, I once again notice a puzzling benefit. Although at acid pH,
absorption of protein is known to be reduced, I suspect the real reason
citric acid counters rice protein, is that the acid pH destroys the active
ingrediant(s) in rice protein.

Run #88                               Percent Survival on Day
supplement                 37 43 48 53 60 67 72 77 82 89 95 101 106
___________________________________________________________________
control                    68 64 41 36 32 14  9  0  -  -  -   -   -
NAD 10 mg                  33 33 27 20 13 13  0  -  -  -  -   -   -
niacin 100 mg              32 26 26 26 11  5  0  -  -  -  -   -   -
niacin 200 mg              26 22 13  9  9  4  0  -  -  -  -   -   -
rice protein, old 1 tsp    47 41 29 18 12  6  0  -  -  -  -   -   -
rice protein, new 1 tsp    40 35 20 20 15  5  0  -  -  -  -   -   -
rice protein, new 2 tsp    30 25 25 25 15  5  0  -  -  -  -   -   -
-no citric acid control    36 36 29 21  7  7  0  -  -  -  -   -   -
 -rice protein, old 1 tsp  50 50 45 40 35 25 20 20 15  5  5   5   0
 -rice protein, new 1 tsp  20 20 20  7 13 13 13  7  7  0  -   -   -
 -rice protein, new 2 tsp  31 15 15  8  8  8  8  8  0  -  -   -   -

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