Digestibility and Bioaccessibility of Leaf Protein Concentrates and their Impact on Children Gut Microbiota

• Published in: Waste and biomass valorization 2022, Vol.13 (1), p.299-314
• Main Authors: Ramírez-Rodrigues, Milena M., Metri-Ojeda, Jorge C., González-Ávila, Marisela, Ruiz-Álvarez, Blanca E., Baigts-Allende, Diana K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alfalfa; Amaranth; Amino acids; Bacteria; Bioavailability; Biomolecules; Broad beans; Children; Colon; Digestibility; Digestion; Digestive system; Engineering; Environment; Environmental Engineering/Biotechnology; Food additives; Gastrointestinal tract; Health promotion; Industrial Pollution Prevention; Intestinal microflora; Intestine; Lactobacillus; Microbiota; Original Paper; Protein composition; Proteins; Renewable and Green Energy; Small intestine; Statistical analysis; Statistical methods; Substrates; Waste Management/Waste Technology
• ISSN: 1877-2641; 1877-265X
• DOI: 10.1007/s12649-021-01521-y

Purpose In this study, alfalfa ( Medicago sativa ), chaya (Cnidoscolus chayamansa ), broad bean ( Vicia faba ), and amaranth ( Amaranthus hypochondriacus ) leaves were used to produce protein concentrates, which were evaluated to be used as food additives. Methods The digestibility and bioaccessibility of protein concentrates were studied using an Automatic and Robotic Intestinal System (ARIS). Furthermore, the effect of the protein concentrates on the composition of the gut microbiota of a population of children was evaluated. Results The differences in bioaccessibility of all protein concentrates was statistically significant (p = 0.01) when compared to a standard diet (> 1 g/100 g), mainly in amaranth (AMA) at the stomach and small intestine sections (~ 1.6 and 1.2 g/100 respectively). AMA samples showed the highest protein content (25.30 ± 0.37 mg/g of protein) and digestible indispensable amino acid score (> 90%) using the child amino acid scoring pattern (6 months–3 years). The predominant bacterial genera in children's gut microbiota were Lactobacillus (3.3 × 10 6 ), Bifidobacteria (1.3 × 10 6 ), Clostridium (1.8 × 10 6 ), and Enterobacteria (5.9 × 10 5 ). However, following three digestion cycles after supplementation with the AMA protein concentrate in ARIS, a significant increase (p > 0.01) in the titer of beneficial bacteria ( Lactobacillu s: 3.6 × 10 7 and Bifidobacteria : 1.5 × 10 7 ) could be observed, when compared to initial values. Amino acid bioaccessibility (~ 1.18–2.0 g/100 mL) was also significantly higher, across all sections (p > 0.01) during continuous digestion, when compared to initial values (0.07–1.35 g/100 mL). Conclusion The AMA protein concentrates proved to be of good quality (% DIAAS > 99) and a bioaccessible protein source, with good potential as a substrate for stimulating the growth of beneficial bacteria in the colon. This could lead to the production of biomolecules that would promote health in the target population (children). Graphic Abstract