Improper nutrition provokes many types of chronic diseases and health problems, which consequently are associated with particularly high costs of treatments. Nowadays, consumer’s interest in healthy eating is shifting towards specific foods or food ingredients. As a consequence, bioactive peptides as a promising source of health promoting food additives are currently an intensely debated topic in research. Process design is still on its early stages and is significantly influenced by important preliminary decisions. Thus, parameters like peptide bioactivity within the product, selection of the protein source, enzyme selection for hydrolysis, peptide enrichment method, as well as stability of the peptides within the food matrix and bioavailability are sensitive decision points, which have to be purposefully coordinated, as they are directly linked to amino acid content and structure properties of the peptides. Branched chain amino acids (BCAA) are essential components for humans, possessing various important physiologic functions within the body. Incorporated within peptide sequences, they may induce dual functions, when used as nutraceuticals in functional food, thus preserving the foodstuff and prevent several widespread diseases. Furthermore, there is evidence that consuming this peptide-class can be a nutritional support for elderly people or improve human health to prevent diseases caused by incorrect nutrition. Based on the knowledge about the role of BCAA within various peptide functions, discussed in the review, special attention is given to different approaches for systematic selection of the protein source and enzymes used in hydrolysis, as well as suitable peptide enrichment methods, thereby showing current trends in research.

En la actualidad existen personas que optan por una alimentación mayormente vegetariana, sin embargo, la limitante sería la calidad proteica de los alimentos de origen vegetal, por ello es necesario identificar alimentos y sus mezclas las cuales cumplan con el requerimiento aminoacídico. El objetivo de la investigación fue determinar, por métodos computacionales, el aporte aminoacídico de combinaciones entre cereales, granos andinos y leguminosas, por el método PDCAAS. A su vez se logró optimizar las mejores mezclas proteicas de acuerdo con el patrón de referencia sugerido por la FAO. Los alimentos seleccionados fueron: arroz, avena, Kiwicha, Tarwi, cañihua, quinua, Maiz, soya, garbanzo, lenteja y haba, las cuales se combinaron en 67 mezclas (corridas), siendo 26 mezclas significativas, ya que cumplían con el patrón de referencia de adultos y escolares, luego se obtuvieron 95 mezclas optimas en base a referencia del grupo etario de 0.5 años, estas presentaron alimentos predominantes como la quinua, Kiwicha, soya y lenteja, en base a estos alimentos se realizó una segunda optimización obteniendo 94 mezclas optimas finales, expresadas en rangos, teniendo como mayor influyente en las mezclas, siendo su uso de kiwicha: 0-54%; quinua: 32-64%; soya: 3-44% y lenteja 0-33%, cumpliendo con el requerimiento en lisina 58 mg/g, Aminoácidos azufrados 31mg/g, treonina 34 mg/g y triptófano 10mg/g. En conclusión, se resaltó la importancia del contenido y aporte de aminoácidos esenciales en la dieta, adicional estas mezclas pueden ser destinadas a la sustitución en diferentes áreas como panificación, bebidas, análogos, entre otros. | JULIACA | Ingeniería de Industrias Alimentarias | Procesamiento, seguridad y gestión en la industria alimentaria

Protein quality (PQ) is the capacity of a protein to meet the amino acid (AA) requirements of an individual. There are several methodologies for determining the PQ of foods. The protein efficiency ratio is an animal growth bioassay. The protein-digestibility-corrected AA score considers the AA requirements of a reference population, and the true nitrogen digestibility coefficient for each ingredient. The digestible indispensable AA score is based on true ileal AA digestibility and better represents bioavailability of AAs. In vitro techniques for assessment of PQ are available but require validation against a greater range of protein sources. Isotopic methods, such as the indicator AA oxidation and dual tracer techniques measure AA relative bioavailability and digestibility, respectively, but require sophisticated equipment, and may not be cost nor time effective for the industry to adopt. The present review discusses advantages and disadvantages of methodologies for determining PQ of food for humans focused on methods that are or could be adopted by regulatory agencies. Understanding the framework and resources available for PQ determination will help in the selection of appropriate methods depending on the application. Novelty Understanding the framework and resources available for PQ determination will help in the selection of appropriate methods depending on the application.

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, in vitro protein digestibility and in vitro 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 in vitro 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.

Pistachios (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 < 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 < 0.05) for raw pistachios. The SID of CP was greater (P < 0.05) for raw than for roasted pistachios, and the SID of all IAA, except phenylalanine, was greater (P < 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.

Wheat flour was partially replaced with 15% of 1) whole (WCH); 2) germinated (GCH); or 3) selenium-germinated (SeGCH) chickpea flours and then processed into yeast-leavened pan breads. Dough rheological, quality parameters and sensory properties of breads were evaluated. Also, selenium content, cellular antioxidant activity (CAA) and protein digestibility-corrected amino acid scores (PDCAAS) were determined. All chickpea flours increased more than 2% optimum dough water absorption and consequently bread yield but diminished between 7 and 13% bread volumes. The fortified breads also had darker crumbs and higher densities. The texture parameters were not significantly affected in all breads. WCH, GCH and SeGCH breads increased PDCAAS by 28.1, 8.8 and 9.0%, respectively, compared to CTR bread. Protein digestibility decreased about 2% in GCH and SeGCH in comparison to the CTR and WCH breads. The higher selenium content in SeGCH breads enhanced the CAA by 39% compared to the control bread. This investigation clearly indicates that chickpea flours can be utilized to produce yeast-leavened breads with higher protein quality and adequate organoleptic properties. Composite breads containing selenium-germinated chickpea flour contained significant amounts of this essential nutrient that is known to prevent oxidative stress and cancer.

The effects of egg white protein and soy protein isolate addition on the nutritional and digestibility of gluten-free pasta based on banana flour were studied. The level of protein additions (soy protein or egg white protein) were 0, 5, 10 and 15% of banana flour (w/w). Pasta made from 100% durum wheat semolina was used as a control. Soy protein isolate inclusion into banana pasta increased total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant capacities, while egg white protein decreased the TPC and antioxidant capacities with the increasing level of addition. Starch digestibility was affected by the type of protein addition. Egg white protein lowered starch digestibility compared to soy protein isolate. Protein inclusion in banana pasta also altered protein digestibility, amino acid profiles and protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS). Soy protein isolate increased protein digestibility of gluten-free pasta compared to egg white protein. Protein enrichment gave better amino acid profiles of banana pasta compared to semolina pasta with egg white protein and performed a better PDCAAS compared to soy protein isolate. These results showed that soy protein isolate and egg white protein addition enhanced nutritional qualities and digestibility properties of gluten-free banana pasta.

The effects of egg white protein and soy protein isolate addition on the nutritional and digestibility of gluten-free pasta based on banana flour were studied. The level of protein additions (soy protein or egg white protein) were 0, 5, 10 and 15% of banana flour (w/w). Pasta made from 100% durum wheat semolina was used as a control. Soy protein isolate inclusion into banana pasta increased total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant capacities, while egg white protein decreased the TPC and antioxidant capacities with the increasing level of addition. Starch digestibility was affected by the type of protein addition. Egg white protein lowered starch digestibility compared to soy protein isolate. Protein inclusion in banana pasta also altered protein digestibility, amino acid profiles and protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS). Soy protein isolate increased protein digestibility of gluten-free pasta compared to egg white protein. Protein enrichment gave better amino acid profiles of banana pasta compared to semolina pasta with egg white protein and performed a better PDCAAS compared to soy protein isolate. These results showed that soy protein isolate and egg white protein addition enhanced nutritional qualities and digestibility properties of gluten-free banana pasta.