The consumption and demand of protein has been on the rise worldwide from the past two decades. Current dietary guidelines emphasize plant-based foods as major contributors to a healthy dietary pattern and to environmental sustainability, this resulting in increasing consumer demand for plant-based and alternative protein sources. In numerous geographies, protein nutrient content claims in food products are restricted in that they need to be based on quality measurements. Quality is influenced by both the amino acid profile and the digestibility of any given protein and is typically determined by the PDCAAS method, based on true fecal protein digestibility. More recently, the digestibility of indispensable amino acid score (DIASS) which is based on ileal digestibility of individual amino acids, has been proposed as a more physiological score. Both methods require the use of animal models to determine protein digestibility and this poses a challenge for innovation as many industries are committed to zero animal testing. In vitro models represent an alternative approach. We have developed an in vitro model that simulates oral, gastric, and small intestinal digestion of ingredients and foods. A uniqueness of the model is the inclusion of brush-border membrane enzymes in the small intestinal phase, enzymes responsible for the late stages of digestion of both carbohydrates and proteins. We have used the model to screen the digestibility of a range of proteins from various sources (i.e., pea, rice, wheat gluten, canola, whey) and developed a correlation between our in vitro data and in vivo digestibility values reported in literature for similar products. This correlation can be used to predict the digestibility of newly developed proteins for which an in vivo value has not been determined and, furthermore, it is amenable to predict the PDCAAS value of such novel products.

In vitro digestion, a suitable alternative to animal models for evaluating digestibility of proteins and estimating PDCAAS (Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score) values

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ACS Fall 2022

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