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In order to determine the impact of fermentation on protein quality, pea protein concentrate (PPC) was fermented with for 11 h and total phenol and tannin contents, protease inhibitor activity, amino acid composition and protein digestibility were analyzed. Phenol levels, expressed as catechin equivalents (CE), increased on dry mass basis from 2.5 at 0 h to 4.9 mg CE per 1 g of PPC at 11 h. Tannin content rose from 0.14 at 0 h to a maximum of 0.96 mg CE per 1 g of PPC after 5 h, and thereafter declined to 0.79 mg/g after 11 h. After 9 h of fermentation trypsin inhibitor activity decreased, however, at all other fermentation times similar levels to the PPC at time 0 h were produced. Chymotrypsin inhibitor activity decreased from 3.7 to 1.1 chymotrypsin inhibitory units (CIU) per mg following 11 h of fermentation. Protein digestibility reached a maximum (87.4%) after 5 h of fermentation, however, the sulfur amino acid score was reduced from 0.84 at 0 h to 0.66 at 11 h. This reduction in sulfur content altered the protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score from 67.0% at 0 h to 54.6% at 11 h. These data suggest that while fermentation is a viable method of reducing certain non-nutritive compounds in pea protein concentrate, selection of an alternative bacterium which metabolises sulfur amino acids to a lesser extent than should be considered.

As countries increase their standard of living and individual income levels rise, there is a concomitant increase in the demand for animal-based protein. However, there are alternative sources. One of the alternatives available is that of increased direct human consumption of plant proteins. The quality of a dietary protein is an important consideration when discussing the merits of one protein source over another. The three most commonly used methods to express protein quality are the protein efficiency ratio (PER), a weight gain measurement; protein digestibility-corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS); and the digestible indispensable amino acid score (DIAAS). The possibility that alterations in the quality and quantity of protein in the diet could generate specific health outcomes is one being actively researched. Plant-based proteins may have additional beneficial properties for human health when compared to animal protein sources, including reductions in risk factors for cardiovascular disease and contributions to increased satiety. In this paper, the methods for the determination of protein quality and the potential beneficial qualities of plant proteins to human health will be described.

Methionine (Met) is an indispensable amino acid (AA) in piglets. Met can synthesize cysteine (Cys), and Cys has the ability to reduce the Met requirement by 40% in piglets. However, whether this sparing effect on Met is facilitated by downregulation of Cys synthesis has not been shown. This study investigated the effects of graded levels of Cys on Met and Cys oxidation, and on plasma AA concentrations. Piglets (n = 32) received a complete elemental diet via gastric catheters prior to being randomly assigned to one of the eight dietary Cys levels (0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.40, 0.50 g kg -1 d -1 ) with an adequate Met concentration (0.25g kg -1 d -1 ). Constant infusion of L-[1- 14 C]-Met and L-[1- 14 C]-Cys were performed for 6 h on d 6 and d 8 to determine Met and Cys oxidation, respectively. Met oxidation decreased as Cys intake increased (P<0.05). At higher Cys intakes (0.15 to 0.5g kg -1 d -1 ), Met oxidation decreased (P<0.05) at a slower rate. Cys oxidation was similar (P>0.05) among dietary Cys intakes; however, a significant polynomial relationship was observed between Cys oxidation and intake (P<0.05, R 2 = 0.12). Plasma Met concentrations increased (P<0.05) linearly with increasing levels of dietary Cys, while plasma Cys concentrations changed (P<0.05) in a cubic manner and the highest concentrations occurred at the highest intake levels. Increasing dietary levels of Cys resulted in a reduction in Met oxidation until the requirement for the total sulfur AA was met, indicating the sparing capacity by Cys of Met occurs through inhibition of the transsulfuration pathway in neonatal piglets.

With the expanding interest in plant-based proteins in the food industry, increasing emphasis is being placed on breeding for protein concentration and quality. Two protein quality traits i.e., amino acid profile and protein digestibility, were assessed in replicated, multi-location field trials from 2019 to 2021 in pea recombinant inbred line population PR-25. This RIL population was targeted specifically for the research of protein related traits and its parents, CDC Amarillo and CDC Limerick, had distinct variations in the concentration of several amino acids. Amino acid profile was determined using near infrared reflectance analysis, and protein digestibility was through an in vitro method. Several essential amino acids were selected for QTL analysis, including lysine, one of the most abundant essential amino acids in pea, and methionine, cysteine, and tryptophan, the limiting amino acids in pea. Based on phenotypic data of amino acid profiles and in vitro protein digestibility of PR-25 harvested in seven location-years, three QTLs were associated with methionine + cysteine concentration, among which, one was located on chromosome 2 (R 2 = 17%, indicates this QTL explained 17% phenotypic variation of methionine + cysteine concentration within PR-25), and two were located on chromosome 5 (R 2 = 11% and 16%). Four QTLs were associated with tryptophan concentration and are located on chromosome 1 (R 2 = 9%), chromosome 3 (R 2 = 9%), and chromosome 5 (R 2 = 8% and 13%). Three QTLs were associated with lysine concentration, among which, one was located on chromosome 3 (R 2 = 10%), the other two were located on chromosome 4 (R 2 = 15% and 21%). Two QTLs were associated with in vitro protein digestibility, one each located on chromosomes 1 (R 2 = 11%) and 2 (R 2 = 10%). QTLs associated with in vitro protein digestibility, and methionine + cysteine concentration on chromosome 2 were identified to be co-localized with known QTL for total seed protein concentration in PR-25. QTLs associated with tryptophan and methionine + cysteine concentration co-localized on chromosome 5. The identification of QTLs associated with pea seed quality is an important step towards marker-assisted selection of breeding lines with improved nutritional quality, which will further boost the competitiveness of pea in plant-based protein markets.

Egg yolk granule phosvitin (45 kDa) is a phosphoprotein known for its emulsifying properties. Recently, high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatment of granule induced the transfer of phosvitin to the soluble plasma fraction. This project evaluated the performance of the ultrafiltration (UF) used to concentrate phosvitin from the plasma fraction to produce a natural emulsifier. Phosvitin was characterized in plasma from a pressure-treated granule (1.73 ± 0.07% w/w) and in its UF retentate (26.00 ± 4.12% w/w). The emulsifying properties of both retentates were evaluated. The emulsion prepared with phosvitin-enriched retentate was more resistant to flocculation and creaming. Confocal laser scanning microscopy showed a network of aggregated protein similar to a gel, which encapsulated oil droplets in emulsions made with UF-retentate of plasma from pressure-treated granule. However, although sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) showed that β-phosvitin is recovered in the cream, it is difficult to attribute the improved emulsifying properties of the UF-retentate of plasma from pressure-treated granules only to phosvitin.

The number of nutrigenetic studies dedicated to the identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) modulating blood lipid profiles in response to dietary interventions has increased considerably over the last decade. However, the robustness of the evidence-based science supporting the area remains to be evaluated. The objective of this review was to present recent findings concerning the effects of interactions between SNPs in genes involved in cholesterol metabolism and transport, and dietary intakes or interventions on circulating cholesterol concentrations, which are causally involved in cardiovascular diseases and established biomarkers of cardiovascular health. We identified recent studies (2014–2020) that reported significant SNP–diet interactions in 14 cholesterol-related genes (NPC1L1, ABCA1, ABCG5, ABCG8, APOA1, APOA2, APOA5, APOB, APOE, CETP, CYP7A1, DHCR7, LPL, and LIPC), and which replicated associations observed in previous studies. Some studies have also shown that combinations of SNPs could explain a higher proportion of variability in response to dietary interventions. Although some findings still need replication, including in larger and more diverse study populations, there is good evidence that some SNPs are consistently associated with differing circulating cholesterol concentrations in response to dietary interventions. These results could help clinicians provide patients with more personalized dietary recommendations, in order to lower their risk for cardiovascular disease.

Ultra-high pressure homogenization (UHPH) is a promising method for destabilizing and potentially improving the techno-functionality of the egg yolk granule. This study’s objectives were to determine the impact of pressure level (50, 175 and 300 MPa) and number of passes (1 and 4) on the physico-chemical and structural properties of egg yolk granule and its subsequent fractions. UHPH induced restructuration of the granule through the formation of a large protein network, without impacting the proximate composition and protein profile in a single pass of up to 300 MPa. In addition, UHPH reduced the particle size distribution up to 175 MPa, to eventually form larger particles through enhanced protein–protein interactions at 300 MPa. Phosvitin, apovitellenin and apolipoprotein-B were specifically involved in these interactions. Overall, egg yolk granule remains highly stable during UHPH treatment. However, more investigations are needed to characterize the resulting protein network and to evaluate the techno-functional properties of UHPH-treated granule.

The effect of two different extraction methods (alkaline extraction isoelectric precipitation––AEIP and salt extraction dialysis––SE) on the production of protein isolates from four different pulse types grown in Canada (yellow pea-YP, green lentil-GL, chickpea-CH and navy bean-NB) were studied for their physicochemical, functional, and nutritional properties. The extraction method and type of pulse had an effect on protein and extraction yields. The method used for extraction had an influence on the surface properties as well as the functionality of the isolated proteins. SE-produced isolates presented higher solubility, foaming capacity and emulsion activity than those prepared through AEIP. Protein quality results showed that higher in-vitro protein digestibility (IVPD) and in-vitro protein digestibility corrected amino-acid scores (IV-PDCAAS) were achieved for proteins obtained through AEIP than those prepared for SE samples. The current study contributes to a better understanding of the effects of extraction methods on the resulting protein characteristics and properties of different pulses grown in Canada, which can impact their suitability for different product applications.

Purpose Vitamin B 6 status in the body is affected by several factors including dietary supply of the antivitamin B 6 factor, 1-amino d -proline (1ADP), which is present in flaxseed. Owing to the prevalence of moderate B 6 deficiency in the general population, a co-occurrence of 1ADP may lead to a further deterioration of B 6 status. To this end, we applied a nontargeted metabolomics approach to identify potential plasma lipophilic biomarkers of deleterious effect of 1ADP on moderately vitamin B 6 -deficient rats using a high-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Methods Twenty-four rats were fed with a semi-purified diet containing pyridoxine·HCl (PN·HCl) either 7 mg/kg diet (optimal B 6 ) or 0.7 mg/kg diet (moderate B 6 ). The rats were divided into four treatments ( n  = 6), and one treatment in each B 6 diet group was also fed ad libitum with 10 mg/kg diet of synthetic 1ADP. After 5 weeks of study, plasma was collected from the rats and lipophilic metabolites were extracted using acetonitrile as a solvent for analysis. Results Ten potential plasma lipophilic biomarkers were identified out of >2500 detected entities, which showed significant differences between the treatments. Plasma glycocholic acid, glycoursodeoxycholic acid, murocholic acid, N -docosahexaenoyl GABA, N -arachidonoyl GABA, lumula, nandrolone and orthothymotinic acid concentrations were significantly elevated, while plasma cystamine and 3-methyleneoxindole concentrations were significantly reduced as a result of either low B 6 status or 1ADP or their interaction. Conclusion Changes in these metabolites revealed a potential defect in pathways linked with the biosynthesis and metabolism of bile acid components, N -acyl amino acids, analgesic androgens, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective molecules. We also noted that the changes in these biomarkers can be alleviated by the application of adequate vitamin B 6 .

Background Functional food ingredients and natural health products have been demonstrated to reduce disease risk and thereby help to lower health care costs across populations at risk for chronic or degenerative diseases. However, typically a wide range of interindividual variability exists in response across individuals to nutritional and natural health product bioactives, such as plant sterols (PS). This study aims to determine and utilize information on the associations between genosets and the degree of responsiveness to dietary PS intervention, with a long-term objective of developing genetic tests to predict responses to PS. Methods This clinical trial is designed as a double-blind, placebo controlled, randomized two-period crossover study. Sixty-four eligible participants with the specific a priori-determined single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with a responsiveness to PS will consume PS or a placebo treatment for two 4-week periods. The PS treatment consists of two daily single portions of margarine, each providing 1 g PS during the PS period (2.0 g/day of PS in total). The placebo will be an identical margarine containing no added PS. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) responsiveness to the controlled administration of PS will be investigated as the primary outcome, and the associations between interindividual genoset variabilities and response to PS consumption will be determined. Discussion This research will provide further insight into whether the associations between previously identified SNPs and the response of LDL-C to PS consumption can be used in a predictive manner. It will also provide insight into the complexities of undertaking a nutrigenetic trial with prospective recruitment based on genotype. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov : Identifier: NCT02765516 . Registered on 6 May 2016.