Comparison of protein in vitro digestibility under adult and elderly conditions: The case study of wheat, pea, rice, and whey proteins. (January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Melchior, Sofia; Moretton, Martina; Alongi, Marilisa; Calligaris, Sonia; Cristina Nicoli, Maria; Anese, Monica
• Is Part Of: Food research international. Volume 163(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-01
• Subjects: Ageing -- In vitro digestion -- Protein digestibility -- De-structuring -- Plant proteins -- Solubility; Food -- Analysis -- Periodicals; Food industry and trade -- Periodicals; Food industry and trade -- Canada -- Periodicals; Food Technology -- Periodicals; Food -- Periodicals; Food-Processing Industry -- Periodicals; Aliments -- Industrie et commerce -- Périodiques; Aliments -- Industrie et commerce -- Canada -- Périodiques; Aliments -- Recherche -- Périodiques; Food industry and trade; Canada; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 664.005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2022.112147
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0963-9969

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: An in vitro static digestion method to mimic the elderly conditions was designed. Different proteins were in vitro digested under adult and elderly conditions. Elderly conditions reduced protein digestibility in comparison to adult ones. Proteolysis kinetics was affected by protein characteristics, especially solubility. Abstract: In this study an in vitro static digestion method mimicking the elderly gastrointestinal conditions was designed by adapting the physiological parameters described in the INFOGEST standardized static in vitro digestion protocol, i.e., pH, digestive phase duration, concentrations of enzymes and bile salts, to the aged GI transit. The digestibility of proteins from different sources (pea, rice, wheat, and milk whey) was then assessed. Protein digestive behaviour was monitored after gastric and intestinal phases by BCA assay and SDS-PAGE to assess protein hydrolysis both from a quantitative and a qualitative point of view. Digested samples were also analysed for physical characteristics in terms of particle size and zeta potential. Data acquired under elderly gastrointestinal conditions were compared to those obtained by using the INFOGEST protocol designed to study adult digestion. Results clearly showed that the elderly gastrointestinal conditions deeply affected proteolysis leading to a general reduction of protein digestibility in comparison to the adult model. The proteolysis extent depended on the protein source with whey and rice proteins showing about 20% reduction using the model mimicking the elderly gut, followed by pea (about 10% reduction) and wheat (about 4% reduction) proteins. The knowledge of protein digestibility under elderly gastrointestinal conditions generated in this study could be useful in the attempt to develop age-tailored products.