Protein Digestibility-corrected Amino Acid Score Research Articles

Protein Quality Assessment of Follow-up Formula for Young Children and Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods: Recommendations by the FAO Expert Working Group in 2017

The FAO of the UN convened an Expert Working Group meeting to provide recommendations related to protein quality evaluation of Follow-up Formula for Young Children (FUF-YC) and Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Foods (RUTFs). The protein and amino acid (AA) scoring patterns for the target age groups were defined and recommendations provided on the use of currently available protein and indispensable AA digestibility data. For FUF-YC, an age category of 1-2.9 y was identified, and a matching protein requirement of 0.86g · kg-1 · d-1 with corresponding AA requirements were recommended. For RUTF, the protein requirement recommended was 2.82g · kg-1 · d-1, to achieve a catch-up weight gain of 10g · kg-1 · d-1 in children recovering from severe acute malnutrition. The AA requirements were factorially derived based on the adult protein requirement for maintenance and tissue AA composition. A flowchart was proposed for the best available methods to estimate digestibility coefficients (of either protein or AAs), in the following order: human, growing pig, and rat true ileal AA digestibility values. Where this is not possible, fecal protein digestibility values should be used. The Expert Working Group recommends the use of the Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS), with existing protein digestibility values, or the Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Score provided that individual AA digestibility values are available for protein quality evaluation using the latter score. The Group also recommends the use of ileal digestibility of protein or of AAs for plant-based protein sources, recognizing the possible effects of antinutritional factors and impaired gut function. A PDCAAS score of ≥90% can be considered adequate for these formulations, whereas with a score <90%, the quantity of protein should be increased to meet the requirements. Regardless of the protein quality score, the ability of formulations to support growth in the target population should be evaluated. Future research recommendations are also proposed based on the knowledge gaps identified.

Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Score (DIAAS) better Estimates the Protein Value of Pistachios than Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS)

AbstractPistachios (Pistacia Vera) are nutrient-dense foods with a healthy nutritional profile that contains fiber, unsaturated fatty acids, essential nutrients, phytochemicals and protein. However, the nutritional quality of the protein has not been characterized to date. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS) and Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Score (DIAAS) for raw and roasted American pistachio nuts in growing pigs. The values for apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of crude protein (CP) and the standard ileal digestibility (SID) where calculated for these proteins. The CP content was greater for raw pistachios (27.1%) compared with roasted pistachios (25.1%). The amino acid (AA) in greatest concentrations for both types of pistachio were arginine followed by leucine. The AA in the lowest concentration were tryptophan followed by methionine. The AID of CP was greater (P &lt; 0.05) for raw pistachios than for roasted pistachios, and the AID of most indispensable AA (IAA), except arginine, isoleucine, and phenylalanine, was greater (P &lt; 0.05) for raw pistachios. The SID of CP was greater (P &lt; 0.05) for raw than for roasted pistachios, and the SID of all IAA, except phenylalanine, was greater (P &lt; 0.05) for raw than for roasted pistachios. The PDCAAS value calculated for both types of pistachios was based on the requirement for children from 2 to 5 years old (FAO, 1991), whereas the DIAAS value was calculated based on the requirement for children 3 years and older, adolescents, and adults (FAO, 2013). Both raw and roasted pistachios had a PDCAAS value of 75. In contrast, the DIAAS was numerically greater for raw pistachios than for roasted pistachios with values of 86 and 83, respectively. For PDCAAS, the first limiting AA in both raw and roasted pistachios when compared with the AA requirements for children 2 to 5 years was threonine. For DIAAS, lysine was the first limiting AA in both raw and roasted pistachios when compared with the AA requirements for children 3 years and older, adolescents, and adults. Based on the DIAAS cut-off values describing protein quality (FAO, 2013), raw pistachios and roasted pistachios can both be considered a ‘Good’ quality protein if consumed by children older than 3 year, adolescents, and adults.

Chemical characterization of almond meal as a co-product of the mechanical extraction of almond oil

Almonds harvesting, along with precleaning, hulling, shelling, and sorting, generate recoverable co-products such as double, malformed, or damaged almonds. The common way that generates more benefit is the extraction of almond oil for food and cosmetic uses. The aim of this study is to compare composition and nutritional value of almond meals of the main varieties from eastern Morocco, Marcona (M), Fournat de Breznaud (FNB), FerragnesandFerraduel (FF) and Beldi a local ecotype (B), during three consecutive crop years (2016-2018). Significant differences were observed, which mainly concern the residual oil in almond cakes and especially their fibres, sugars, and proteins. Differences depend on the quality of the raw material and the effects of the crop year on the variety. Besides, from a nutritional point of view, analysed almond meals still contain significant amounts of residual oil and the major constituents of almond seeds (sugars, fibres, and proteins). The amino acid profile presents eight essential amino acids (Cysteine, Methionine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Phenylalanine, Tyrosine, and Lysine Valine) and the Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS) ranges between 24.78% for (M) and 62.17% for (FF). We conclude the analysed almond meals present interesting nutritional values as a specific ingredient for gluten-free culinary preparations and light foodstuffs.

Meat protein quality of Dormitator latifrons (Pisces: Eleotridae): arguments for use by rural communities

The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of meat protein of Dormitator latifrons for humans based on its Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS). Wild and cultured specimens were evaluated for amino acid content using HPLC equipment. The calculation of PDCAAS was performed as follows: milligrams of essential amino acid in 1 g of test protein per milligram of the same amino acid in 1 g of reference protein per true digestibility. To evaluate the protein of D. latifrons in relation to that of other fish, PDCAAS was calculated from the proteins of eight fish usually used in human nutrition. D. latifrons has a good essential amino acid profile, providing the same nutritional quality as those of other fish. Although the meat of wild D. latifrons contributes only 73% of human lysine requirements, it can be complemented with other lysine sources.

Effect of barrel temperature and feed moisture on protein quality in pre-cooked Kabuli chickpea, sorghum, and maize flours.

The effect of barrel temperature (120 and 150 ℃, held constant in zones 4-6) and feed moisture (20 and 24%) on the protein quality of Kabuli chickpea, sorghum, and maize flours were examined, which included amino acid profile, invitro protein digestibility and invitro protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score (IV-PDCAAS). It was found that the limiting amino acid of chickpea changed from threonine to valine after extrusion, whereas both sorghum and maize were limiting in lysine before and after extrusion. The invitro protein digestibility increased from 77 to 81% for chickpea and 73 to 76% for maize; values for sorghum remained at 74% after extrusion. However, the IV-PDCAAS for the extruded flours generally remained at the same level, 69% for chickpea, 22% for sorghum, and ∼35% for maize. The effect of extrusion temperature, moisture and their interaction was significant on protein quality of sorghum and maize, but in the case of chickpea, only the extrusion temperature was significant. Only chickpea extruded at 150 ℃ (regardless of the moisture) met the protein quality (PDCAAS > 70%) requirement to be used in food assistance products.

Nutritional evaluation of common (Tenebrio molitor) and lesser (Alphitobius diaperinus) mealworms in rats and processing effect on the lesser mealworm

The aim of this study was to evaluate the crude protein quality of the two mealworm speciesAlphitobius diaperinus (AD) andTenebrio molitor (TM) across different processing methods of AD using the crude protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS) based on rat trials. Rats (66±3 g) were kept in single enclosures and fed diets containing 10% crude protein. The eight treatments were freeze-dried TM, freeze-dried AD, defatted AD, extruded AD, formic acid hydrolysed AD, industrial-dried AD, vacuum-dried AD and addition of an enzyme blend to the freeze-dried AD product (n=6 rats). Total collection of faeces and urine was obtained daily during a 4 day sampling period. The results showed that the sulphur-containing amino acids were the limiting amino acids for all treatments. Freeze-dried AD had a better protein quality compared to freeze-dried TM (0.82 and 0.76 for PDCAAS, respectively). Addition of the enzyme blend used in this experiment did not affect PDCAAS. Defatting, extruding and industrial-drying induced a small decrease of protein quality (0.79-0.80), and vacuum drying and acid hydrolysis had more severe effects (0.77 and 0.74 for PDCAAS, respectively). In conclusion, AD is promising as food due to its high protein content of 62% dry matter and due to its high true protein digestibility (91-94% across all treatments). Furthermore, common processing methods such as defatting, industrial drying and extrusion can be applied without major effects on the product’s ability to meet human dietary requirements for specific amino acids (0.79-0.82 for PDCAAS).

Egg White Hydrolysate Retains the Nutritional Value of Proteins and Is Quickly Absorbed in Rats.

Egg white protein has a high net protein utilisation, with a score of 100 in the amino acid rating system. Although the enzymatic breakdown of egg white yields hydrolysates that are rapidly absorbed and various physiological activities can be expected from them, flavouring egg white to meet taste requirements as a food has been a difficult challenge. Herein, we developed a high-molecular-weight egg white hydrolysate and compared the absorption rate and nutritional value of the hydrolysate with those of egg white proteins obtained from raw materials, whey proteins, and hydrolysates, also known as high-quality proteins. The absorption rate of egg white hydrolysates was faster than that of egg white and whey proteins in portal vein cannulated rats, and their bioavailability values were higher than those of whey proteins and hydrolysates. According to the protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score and digestible indispensable amino acid score, the scores for egg white hydrolysates were equivalent to those of egg white and whey proteins but higher than those of whey hydrolysates. Our results show that egg white hydrolysates maintain the nutritional value of egg whites and are rapidly absorbed by the body.

Determination of the protein quality of almonds (Prunus dulcis L.) as assessed by in vitro and in vivo methodologies.

Almonds (Prunus dulcis), such as all nuts, are positioned within the protein foods grouping within the current U.S. Dietary Guidelines. The ability to make claims related to the protein content of almonds, within the United States, requires substantiation via the use of the Protein Digestibility‐Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS). The present study was designed to provide current estimates of PDCAAS, using both in vivo and in vitro assays, of key almond varietals from the 2017 California harvest. Additionally, historical protein and amino acid composition data on 73 separate analyses, performed from 2000 to 2014, were analyzed. Amino acid analysis confirmed lysine as the first‐limiting amino acid, generating amino acid scores of 0.53, 0.52, 0.49, and 0.56 for Butte, Independence, Monterey, and Nonpareil varietals, respectively. True fecal protein digestibility coefficients ranged from 85.7% to 89.9% yielding PDCAAS values of 44.3–47.8, being highest for Nonpareil. Similar, albeit lower, results were obtained from the in vitro assessment protocol. Analysis of the historical data again positioned lysine as the limiting amino acid and yielded information on the natural variability present within the protein and amino acid profiles of almonds. Comparison of the 2017 AA profile, averaged across almond varietals, to the historical data provided strong evidence of persistence of amino acid composition and indices of protein quality over time.

Single Varietal Dry Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Pastas: Nutritional Profile and Consumer Acceptability.

Dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) are a nutrient dense food rich in protein, dietary fiber, minerals, and folate. Consumption of dry beans is relatively low in the United States and this may be due in part to the lack of diversity in bean products beyond wholeseeds. Products that incorporate beans in new forms, such as flours, offer the potential to increase dry bean utilization. In this study whole dry beans were milled into flour and used to make gluten free fresh pastas. Six bean varieties each from a different market class (white kidney, navy, otebo, cranberry, dark red kidney and black) were made into pasta. Their consumer appealwas compared to fresh wheat pasta and their nutritional value was compared to fresh wheat pasta and whole boiled beans. The dry bean pastas were nutritionally superior to wheat pasta with higher protein, ash, resistant starch and protein digestibility corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS) as well as lower total starch content. While consumers preferred the flavor, texture and appearance of the wheat pasta to the dry bean pasta, 36% of participants said they would definitely or probably purchase the dry bean pastas from the light colored beans. There was some loss of nutritional value of bean pasta vs. whole boiled beans but this can mostly be attributed to the bean pasta being 90% bean. These results suggest that single variety fresh dry bean pastas have commercial potential in the U.S. as healthy gluten free pasta options.

Developing Local Treatments for Acutely Malnourished Children in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Novel Optimization Approach Automatically Ensuring Protein Quality (FS14-06-19)

ObjectivesTo develop an improved optimization tool for formulating locally suitable low-cost specialized nutritious foods (SNF) that can promote health and growth in malnourished children. MethodsMy method involves three parts: develop linear programming optimization tool automatically ensuring protein quality through protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score; optimize recipes according to current standards for ready-to-use therapeutic food, ready-to-use supplementary food, and super cereal plus, and compare nutrient composition and ingredient cost of optimized recipes with those of current recipes; and prepare, test, and refine a prototype super cereal plus recipe. ResultsMy linear programming optimization tool maintains nutrient and composition constraints conforming to current standards (including the newly updated codex on protein quality in ready-to-use therapeutic food), creating low-cost recipes from local ingredients. Deriving estimates from extant data, the tool automatically ensures protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score without needing animal protein, balancing essential amino acids of ingredients. Applying the tool, I optimized SNF recipes first according to international commodity prices and next for each of 24 sub-Saharan African countries with published local price data, meeting the existing nutrient requirements, including protein quality, at minimal estimated ingredient cost, lower than ingredient cost of current recipes. Following prototyping of the optimized super cereal plus recipe, laboratory analysis verified the tool’s accuracy and sensory analysis suggested appropriate acceptability. ConclusionsBased on the preliminary results, my linear programming optimization tool offers an alternative, potentially effective approach to develop low-cost recipes using local crops. Funding SourcesNo funding was provided. Prototyping and testing of optimized super cereal plus was conducted in Kenya with the support of Valid Nutrition and Ajinomoto. Supporting Tables, Images and/or Graphs▪▪▪▪▪

Transitioning from the Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS) to the Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Score (DIAAS) to evaluate protein quality of human foods

Transitioning from the Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS) to the Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Score (DIAAS) to evaluate protein quality of human foods

Effect of barrel temperature and feed moisture on the physical properties of chickpea–sorghum and chickpea–maize extrudates, and the functionality and nutritional value of their resultant flours—Part II

AbstractBackground and objectivesThe effect of barrel temperature (120 and 150°C, held constant in zones 4–6) and feed moisture (20% and 24%) on the physical properties of chickpea–sorghum (CS) and chickpea–maize (CM) extrudates, and the functional and nutritional properties (protein quality) of their flours were examined.FindingsTemperature had a greater effect on the physical properties than moisture for both blends, where, in general, extrusion at 150°C resulted in greater expansion, less hardness, and lower bulk density than at 120°C. Extrusion also increased the water‐holding capacity relative to the raw CS and CM blends, but had an adverse effect on oil‐holding capacity, foaming, and emulsifying properties. Pasting viscosities of precooked flours were also lowered by 8 to 37 times due to the pregelatinization of the starch. Although in vitro protein digestibility increased after extrusion, the in vitro protein digestibility‐corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS) showed an overall reduction relative to the raw blended flours due to the reduction of the primary limiting amino acid lysine during extrusion.ConclusionsOnly the chickpea–maize blend extruded at 120°C at either 20% or 24% moisture had higher in vitro PDCAAS than the raw blend, with only the one with 24% moisture having a value &gt;0.70.Significance and noveltyA balance between functionality and protein quality needs to be considered when using extruded pulse–cereal blends.

Significant Amounts of Functional Collagen Peptides Can Be Incorporated in the Diet While Maintaining Indispensable Amino Acid Balance.

The results of twenty years of research indicate that the inclusion of collagen peptides in the diet can lead to various improvements in health. According to the current protein quality evaluation method PDCAAS (Protein Digestibility-corrected Amino Acid Score), collagen protein lacks one indispensable amino acid (tryptophan) and is therefore categorized as an incomplete protein source. Collagen protein displays a low indispensable amino acid profile, yet as a functional food, collagen is a source of physiologically active peptides and conditionally indispensable amino acids that have the potential to optimize health and address physiological needs posed by aging and exercise. The objective of this study was to determine the maximum level of dietary collagen peptides that can be incorporated in the Western pattern diet while maintaining its indispensable amino acid balance. Iterative PDCAAS calculations showed that a level as high as 36% of collagen peptides can be used as protein substitution in the daily diet while ensuring indispensable amino acid requirements are met. This study suggests that the effective amounts of functional collagen peptides (2.5 to 15 g per day) observed in the literature are below the maximum level of collagen that may be incorporated in the standard American diet.

Biofortified Maize Can Improve Quality Protein Intakes among Young Children in Southern Ethiopia.

Quality protein maize (QPM) varieties are biofortified, or nutritionally improved, to have higher lysine and tryptophan levels to increase quality protein intakes particularly among young children. This study assesses adequacy of children’s protein intakes in Ethiopia, where QPM is being promoted, accounting for protein quality and seasonal dietary changes, and estimates potential increases in intakes if QPM replaced conventional maize in diets. Diets of randomly sampled children aged 12–36 months in rural southern Ethiopia (n = 218) were assessed after harvest during relative food security and 3–4 months later during relative food insecurity using 24-h weighed food records. Diets were analyzed for protein adequacy, accounting for protein quality using the protein digestibility corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS) method, and potential improvements from QPM substitution were estimated. Stunting was prevalent (38%) at the first assessment. Across seasons, 95–96% of children consumed maize, which provided 59–61% of energy and 51–55% of total protein in 24 h. Dietary intakes decreased in the food insecure season, though children were older. Among children no longer breastfeeding, QPM was estimated to reduce inadequacy of utilizable protein intakes from 17% to 13% in the food secure season and from 34% to 19% in the food insecure season. However, breastfed children had only 4–6% inadequate intakes of utilizable protein, limiting QPM’s potential impact. Due to small farm sizes, maize stores from home production lasted a median of three months. Young Ethiopian children are at risk of inadequate quality protein intakes, particularly after breastfeeding has ceased and during food insecurity. QPM could reduce this risk; however, reliance on access through home production may result in only short-term benefits given the limited quantities of maize produced and stored.

Białko roślinne – źródła, koszty produkcji i jakość

Białko należy do podstawowych składników odżywczych niezbędnych do utrzymania życia. Światowe prognozy pokazują, że będzie to podstawowy makroskładnik limitujący światowe bezpieczeństwo żywnościowe. W światowej strukturze spożycia dominuje białko pochodzenia roślinnego, a podstawowym źródłem białka roślinnego są zboża - wśród nich pszenica. W artykule założono, że głównym źródłem dla rosnącego popytu na białko pozostaną dotychczasowe jego źródła, ponieważ czynnikami decydującymi o wykorzystaniu danego surowca jest jego dostępność, koszt i jakość. Z tego powodu w artykule podjęto próbę charakterystyki głównych źródeł białka roślinnego pod względem wielkości produkcji białka z jednostki powierzchni, kosztów produkcji 1 kg białka i jego jakości. Analizę kosztów produkcji poszczególnych źródeł białka wykonano na podstawie danych z gospodarstw z krajów (lub grupy krajów) głównych jego producentów lub eksporterów. Jakość białka roślinnego scharakteryzowano przy użyciu wskaźnika aminokwasu ograniczającego oraz wskaźnika aminokwasu ograniczającego skorygowanego o strawność rzeczywistą białka. Spośród analizowanych źródeł białka największy plon z jednostki powierzchni oraz najmniejsze bezpośrednie koszty produkcji posiada białko z soi. Białko to również charakteryzuje się największą wartością biologiczną uwzględniając wartość wskaźnika aminokwasu ograniczającego skorygowanego o strawność rzeczywistą białka.

Effect of soybean bagasse addition on texture, sensory properties, and protein quality of maize tortillas

AbstractBackground and objectivesNixtamalized dry masa flour was supplemented with 5% or 10% dry soybean bagasse (SB) and then processed into table tortillas. Proximate chemical composition, dietary fiber content, affective sensory analyses of corn tortillas prepared from dry masa flour enriched with 5% or 10% dried SB were determined. Also, the in vitro protein digestibility and protein digestibility‐corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS) of the tortillas were evaluated.FindingsTen per cent SB addition reduced masa hardness by about 32% and chewiness 47% without affecting adhesiveness. In terms of rapid viscosity analysis, the addition of incremental levels of SB decreased peak and final viscosities 42% and 49%, respectively. The tortilla insoluble and soluble dietary fiber contents increased 50% and fourfold, respectively, while the lysine daily requirement for preschool infants improved from 45.6% to 67.0% when 10% SB was used. Enriched tortillas showed a similar overall acceptance and had improved texture over storage time at room temperature (25% less force to rupture compared with the control tortilla stored for the same time).ConclusionsThe addition of 5% soybean bagasse to nixtamalized corn flour produced masa with good machinability and tortillas with better overall acceptance and textural shelf life and a product with four times more soluble dietary fiber, 10% less starch and with higher amounts of limiting amino acids lysine and tryptophan. The upgraded amino acid balance significantly improved PDCAAS from 41% to 59% in the tortilla containing 10% SB.Significance and noveltySoybean bagasse is a viable option to increased fiber and protein quality in nixtamalized corn flour tortillas, with a positive impact on texture during shelf life and consumer acceptance.

Comparison of two methods of protein quality evaluation in rice, rye and barley as food protein sources in human nutrition

Different foods differ in their protein quality, which is characterized by the content and digestibility of individual amino acids. The Food and Agriculture Organisation has recommended replacing the method for protein quality evaluation of foods called protein digestibility corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS) with the new method - digestible indispensable amino acid score (DIAAS), in which the values of ileal amino acid digestibility obtained in pigs are used. However, the information about DIAAS values of foods are limited. Therefore, the study on growing pigs was conducted to determine true fecal protein digestibility and standardized ileal amino acid digestibility of rice, rye and barley. Using these values, the PDCAAS and DIAAS were calculated and compared. A total of 18 gilts with a T-cannula inserted in the terminal ileum were allotted to 3 diets with six replicate pigs per diet. Three semi-purified diets were formulated to contain the tested cereal grains (rice, rye, barley) as the sole nitrogen source. Chromic oxide was used as indigestible marker. Each experimental period comprised of a 7-d adaptation period followed by 24 h collection of feces and ileal digesta. The content of nitrogen, dry matter and chromic oxide was analyzed in samples of diets, feces and ileal digesta. Moreover, in the samples of diets and ileal digesta the content of amino acids was determined. Calculated ratio of crude protein to lysine was greatest in rice (4.50) followed by rye (3.65) and the lowest one in barley (3.35). True fecal protein digestibility was greater when compared with ileal amino acid digestibility for all tested samples, thus suggesting an overestimation of protein quality determined by PDCAAS. Calculated PDCAAS values for rice, rye and barley (81, 65 and 61%) were generally greater than the DIAAS values (79, 56 and 55%), especially for the poorer quality protein sources such as rye and barley in comparison with rice. The lysine was the first limiting amino acid in all tested cereal grains. Based on the DIAAS evaluation, rice is better protein source in human nutrition in comparison with rye or barley.

Rheology, acceptability and texture of wheat flour tortillas supplemented with soybean residue.

Dry soybean (Glycine max) residue (SBR) is a byproduct rich in dietary fibre and protein with high levels of essential amino acids. The effects due to the substitution of refined wheat flour with 5% or 10% SBR in dough rheology and hot-press tortilla texture, dimensions, colour, protein and dietary fibre contents were studied. Substitution of 10% SBR improved flour in terms of gluten strength and sedimentation without significantly affecting dough hardness, cohesiveness, adhesiveness, and extensibility. The dimensions, colour and sensory acceptance of the supplemented tortillas were not affected by the addition of the SBR. The 10% SBR tortillas contained 1.77 times more insoluble dietary fibre, protein content of 9.3%, in vitro protein digestibility of 84% and protein digestibility corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS) of 52.63%. Results indicated that wheat flour tortillas with 10% SBR an excellent alternative to regular counterparts owing to their higher dietary fibre and protein quantity and quality.

Species Variations in the Proximate Composition, Amino Acid Profile, and Protein Quality of the Muscle Tissue of Grass Carp, Bighead Carp, Siberian Sturgeon, and Wels Catfish

This study determined the proximate composition, energy value, amino acid profile, and protein quality of the muscle tissue of four food fish species. The fish analyzed contained 78.90–69.89% water, 18.25–15.69% protein, and 2.28–12.57% fat. The energy value of the muscle tissue ranged from 93.50 to 175.83 kcal/100 g. The contents of amino acids in 100 g of protein were 47.64–45.86 g for total essential amino acids (TEAA), 52.36–54.14 g for total neutral amino acids (TNAA), 3.14–2.25 g for total sulphur amino acids (TSAA), and 7.23–7.81 g for total aromatic amino acids (TArAA). The essential amino acid (EAA) composition of the fish was compared with the standard protein, and Chemical Score (CS), Protein Digestibility-Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS), and Essential Amino Acid Index (EAAI) were calculated. The quality of the muscle tissue proteins of all four fish species was high. These fish can constitute a healthy addition to the human diet.

Evaluation of Protein Nutritional Quality of Four Soybean Varieties Grown in Western Kenya

Protein nutrition is important for human health because its deficiency leads to major public health problems such as Protein Energy Malnutrition. Soybean an excellent and cheap source of high quality protein has been introduced into the Western Kenya and other developing countries for improved health and food security, but end use qualities may reduce its utilization. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the protein nutritional quality of four soybean varieties grown in Western Kenya. Protein quality was determined using male weanling albino rats for the indices of net protein retention, food efficiency, apparent and true protein digestibilities and faecal weight. Soybean amino acid efficiency was evaluated using Protein digestibility corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS). Soybean diet SB 132 had the highest protein nutritional quality with the best protein retention of 6.29 g, Apparent Protein digestibility of 89.13%, True Protein Digestibility of 96.48%, weight gain of 5.50 g and a Net Protein Retention Ratio of 4.70. All the four soybean varieties had high amino acid profiles with a Protein digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score of 1.0. Soybean variety SB 132 is the most superior in digestibility and the study recommends its promotion as a food crop in Western Kenya and other developing countries for the management of Protein Energy Malnutrition and for food security.