To evaluate the differences of the levels and sources of protein intake human protein metabolism, an 26-day metabolic balance study was conducted in 10 healthy Korean adult females. In the pre-study, the subjects recorded their own diets for 3 days. The metabolic balance study consisted of 6-day adaptation period, 10-day moderate protein period(60-65g/d) and 10-day high protein period(90-95g/d). During the moderate and high protein period, 5 subjects were fed the higher animal protein meals and the other 5 subjects were fed the high plant protein meals. Body weight, nitrogen balance and blood chemistries were monitored through out the study. The urine volume were sighificantly larger in the animal protein group and, the dietary fiber and fecal weights were significantly heavier in the plant protein diet group. But no statistically significant differences were found between the two dietary groups in apparent nitrogen digestability, urinary nitrogen excretion and nitrogen balance. Body weight, serum protein, albumin and HDL-cholesterol levels were not changed, but serum total cholesterol level in the animal protein diet group was elevated significantly from 143.8mg/dl on moderate potein diet to 173.0mg/dl on high proetin diet. In conclusion, from the observation of this short-term N balance study, plant diet on the adequate level of calorie and protein intake had almost the same effect of animal protein diet for protein maintenace in adults.