Protein intake and the resulting postprandial aminoacidemia are an important anabolic stimulus. However, considerable individual variation in postprandial amino acid (AA) kinetics can be expected. In this study the aim was to quantify the variability in postprandial AA kinetics within and between individuals after consumption of a moderately digestible plant protein concentrate (Lucerne (Alfalfa), LPC) and an easy digestible animal protein concentrate (Whey, WPC). Eighteen healthy young adults consumed a 20g protein drink on five occasions (3xLPC;2xWPC). Plasma AA kinetics were calculated and a mixed-model was fitted to describe within- and between-individual variability, and to calculate the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). AA kinetics showed significant variation between and within individuals, both for WPC and LPC. Between-individuals variation in postprandial response for total or total essential AA (TAA, TEAA) was in general larger than within-individual variation for WPC with the ICCs with or without blood volume correction ranging from 0.45-0.77. For LPC the within-individual variation of the TAA response was higher than the between-individual, for TEAA they were more or less equal; with the ICCs with or without blood volume correction ranging from 0.34-0.58 for LPC. Subjects with a high level of aminoacidemia for one protein source were not necessarily those with a high level for the other protein source. Our results indicate that between- and within-person variation in postprandial AA kinetics are substantial, and should not be neglected.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medications are changing consumers’ appetites. Little is known about how GLP-1 use is associated with U.S. meal location choices and protein preferences. Using meal reporting from a consumer survey and a random parameters logit model, we examine associations between GLP-1 use, duration of use, meal location choices, and protein preferences. Results indicate that GLP-1 users differ substantially from non-users in their outlet choices, meal skipping rates, and certain protein preferences. These differences are most prominent among shorter-term users. Our findings highlight notable patronage patterns associated with GLP-1 use, with implications for food retailers and opportunities for foodservice.

The aim of this review is to describe nutrition strategies that may help to meet the ever-increasing global demand for chicken meat in a sustainable manner. This may include decreased reliance on imported feedstuffs through replacement of imported protein (e.g., soybean meal) with locally available alternatives such as canola or grain legumes, as well as a reduction in crude protein content in feeds through a precision use of amino acids and enzymatic supplements. Challenges, opportunities and research needs associated with alternative feed ingredients are illustrated, and potential risks or benefits to the health of birds, consumers and their environment are discussed. It is concluded that the long-term sustainability of chicken meat requires a multifactorial approach that relies on improved feed formulation practices based on use of local ingredients, reduced crude protein, optimizing feed processing (e.g., particle size), and use of feed additives (e.g., enzymes, synthetic amino acids, pre-and pro-biotics) whilst considering their impact on efficiency of production as well as animal, human and environmental health.

Biofluids are an abundant source of readily accessible biologic information. In the young, biofluids such as saliva, stool, and urine remain an underinvestigated resource of biomarker discovery, which is less invasive and easily collected in outpatient settings. In this perspective, we summarise the current standing of biomarker mining in young cardiovascular patients, presenting advancements in new technologies that can be leveraged in these low-input samples. We provide our perspective on future work and offer examples of the potential utility of these biofluids for non-invasive and remote and longitudinal monitoring in paediatric patients.

The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the evidence to date and several key considerations regarding addressing undernutrition in older adults with plant-based products. Undernutrition, resulting from inadequate protein and energy intake is common among older adults, and is associated with poor health and quality of life. Ensuring adequate protein and energy intake is a key component of strategies aiming to prevent and/or treat undernutrition. Increasing diversity of protein intake to include more sustainable plant-based sources is encouraged in the general population. However, to support healthy ageing, it is important to consider factors such as the impact of greater consumption of plant-based products on appetite and nutritional status, muscle protein synthesis and skeletal muscle mass. Although the literature in older adults is limited, the current evidence suggests no significant differences when comparing effects of plant to animal-based products/diets on a range of outcomes including appetite, nutritional status, longer-term muscle protein synthesis and muscle mass. Furthermore, there is evidence of improvements in nutritional status and muscle protein synthesis following plant protein supplementation compared to before supplementation or lower protein intakes. Therefore, greater intake of certain plant-based products could assist in enhancing sustainability of food systems and meeting nutritional requirements to prevent undernutrition. Among other factors, the plant protein source, the food matrix and presence of other nutrients need consideration. Further studies are needed in several areas, including investigating the effects of greater intake of plant-based products on the gut microbiome, and in the treatment of undernutrition.

Low protein intake is prevalent in people with CHD and is inadequately addressed in UK-based cardiac rehabilitation. This pilot feasibility study aimed to identify whether targeted education increases protein intake in patients with CHD and low protein intake, compared with standard cardiac rehabilitation dietary education. People referred to cardiac rehabilitation with CHD (≥ 50 years) underwent anthropometric assessment and completed a food diary, sit-to-stand test and three questionnaires (physical activity, sarcopenia screening and nutrition knowledge). Participants with low protein intake (≤ 1·2 g/kg per d) were randomised to receive either extra protein education (intervention; protein group) or standard education (control; control group), embedded within their usual 6-week cardiac rehabilitation programme. At 6 and 12 weeks, outcome measures were repeated; thirty-four participants provided baseline data. Protein intake was inversely associated with waist circumference (r = −0·348). Twenty-seven participants (79 %) with low protein intake were randomised to the protein group (n 15) or control group (n 12). At week 6, the median (interquartile range) change in protein intake was 0·0 (−0·0–0·3) and 0·4 (0·2–0·5) g/kg per d in the protein group and control group, respectively (effect size 0·5). At week 12, the change in protein intake was 0·0 (−0·0–0·1) and −0·0 (−0·2–0·2) g/kg per d in the protein group and control group, respectively (effect size 0·3). Effect sizes for all other variables were ≤ 0·4. The intervention appeared well-received by those who completed the study; however, changes to primary and secondary outcomes were minimal. Uptake of the study was low, and attrition was high, limiting the interpretation of efficacy and the implementation of a definitive trial.

This study, conducted under semi-arid conditions during the 2022 and 2023 growing seasons, aimed to assess the effects of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) in combination with different irrigation levels and water qualities on safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) quality parameters. The irrigation levels were based on 0% (I0 - rainfed), 25% (I25), 50% (I50), 75% (I75) and 100% (I100) of Class A pan evaporation. Two irrigation water qualities were used: recycled wastewater (RW) and freshwater (FW). The PGPR treatments were applied at four frequencies: R0 (control), R1 (once), R2 (twice) and R3 (three times) starting after sowing at 10-day intervals. Seed protein content ranged from 12.0% to 18.1%, with the highest values under I100-R3 and the lowest under I0-R0. Protein content increased with irrigation and bacterial application frequency. Oil content varied between 25.2% and 38.6%, peaking under full irrigation with triple PGPR application (I100-R3), and was generally higher in RW-irrigated plots. SPAD (Soil Plant Analysis Development) values which are an indication for chlorophyll content in the plant ranged from 45.1 to 76.3, with RW-I100 treatments showing the highest readings. Stomatal conductance values varied between 40.5 and 122.0 mmol/m2/s¹, increasing with irrigation level. Overall, combining recycled wastewater and PGPR under sufficient irrigation significantly improved safflower’s physiological and biochemical characteristics. The results suggest that this integrated approach enhances oil and protein content while supporting sustainable water use and crop quality improvement in arid and semi-arid regions.

Plant-based meat and dairy analogues contain less protein than their animal-based counterparts and rely on various plant protein sources, which frequently display incomplete amino acid (AA) profiles that do not reflect dietary requirements due to low quantities of one or more essential AA (EAA). There is little insight in the AA profiles of most of these plant-based analogues. We assessed the AA composition of forty plant-based meat and dairy analogues that were commercially available in The Netherlands in March 2023 and compared their EAA profile to dietary requirements and to the EAA profile of their meat and dairy counterparts. Total protein contents were lower in most analogues when compared with their animal-based counterparts (meat analogues, n 16 (80 %); lunch meats and cheese analogues, n 10 (100 %); milk and yoghurt analogues, n 9 (90 %)) and accompanied by lower EAA contents. In reference to dietary requirements, the sum of the total EAA contents was adequate in all but one of the analogues. Nevertheless, all analogues displayed deficiencies in one or more specific EAA. Methionine contents were most frequently low (n 39; 98 %), followed by lysine contents (n 11; 28 %). Essential AA compositions varied between analogues irrespective of the protein source(s) used. In conclusion, plant-based meat and dairy analogues exhibit incomplete EAA profiles, which may compromise adequate protein nutrition in plant-centred diets.

Malnutrition is a significant issue among older New Zealanders, with 24% malnourished and 35% at high risk(1). Oral nutritional supplements (ONS) are prescribed to improve nutrient intake in malnourished or at-risk individuals. Evidence supports that ONS can enhance energy and protein intake(2). However, efficacy depends on regular and adequate consumption. Fonterra Research and Development Centre sponsored a research programme of three interventions with the aim of assessing the liking, absorption, and compliance of ONS formulations (containing functional proteins at 9.6% and 14.4% w/v protein) versus commercial comparators. A feasibility study was also done to assess whether ONS could be used to fortify foods in a residential care setting. All trials received ethics approval. In study one (trial registration: NCT04397146), the palatability and satiating effects were evaluated in 104 participants. Fonterra’s 14.4% protein ONS was well-received for sweetness, creaminess, and texture, while the 9.6% protein ONS had lower palatability. Satiety levels were similar across all products. Key drivers of overall liking included smooth texture, pleasant taste, and ease of drinking. In study two (ACTRN12621000127808), a randomized, double-blind crossover trial of 18 healthy adults, the post-prandial effects of Fonterra’s formulation compared to energy and protein matched commercial products on amino acid (AA) appearance and gastric emptying were examined. Fonterra’s 14.4% protein ONS significantly increased the incremental area under the curve and peak concentration of essential and branched-chain AA, including leucine, compared to control (p<0.05). These findings suggest potential benefits for muscle mass preservation in at-risk patients. In study three (ACTRN12622000842763), a randomized, single-blind crossover trial, 100 older adults completed compliance and tolerance assessments of Fonterra’s formulation compared to energy and 9.6% protein matched commercial product. Compliance for all three ONS was high, with mean compliance rates of 96.1% for Fonterra 9.6%, 94.5% for Fonterra 14%, and 95.2% for comparator. Palatability scores were not significantly different. Adverse events were minimal and short-lived, mainly occurring on the first day; 30-50% of participants reported tolerance issues, such as flatulence, bloating, and burping, regardless of the product. No significant differences in satiety were observed between the interventions. Lastly, a pilot study assessed the feasibility of incorporating ONS into foods in a residential care setting. The chef found the ONS easy to work with and add to desserts, which subsequently increased the protein and calcium content of main meals. Residents found the fortified desserts palatable and acceptable. This research programme supports the use of ONS assisting older adults to meet their nutrient requirements and demonstrates that formulations containing Fonterra’s functional proteins are well-accepted, effective in increasing amino acid appearance, and easily incorporated into institutional diets, with high consumption compliance and minimal adverse effects.

This study examined whether supplementation with collagen peptides (CP) affects appetite and post-exercise energy intake in healthy active females. In this randomised, double-blind cross-over study, fifteen healthy females (23 (sd 3) years) consumed 15 g/d of CP or a taste matched non-energy control (CON) for 7 d. On day 7, participants cycled for 45 min at ∼55 % Wmax, before consuming the final supplement. Sixty-min post supplementation an ad libitum meal was provided, and energy intake recorded. Subjective appetite sensations were measured daily for 6 d (pre- and 30 min post-supplement) and pre (0 min) to 280 min post-exercise on day 7. Blood glucose and hormone concentrations (total ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), and peptide YY (PYY), cholecystokinin (CCK), dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (sDPP-4), leptin, and insulin) were measured fasted at baseline (day 0), then pre-breakfast (0 min), post-exercise (100 min), post-supplement (115, 130, 145, 160 min) and post-meal (220, 280 min) on day 7. Ad libitum energy intake was ∼10 % (∼41 kcal) lower in the CP trial (P = 0·037). There was no difference in gastrointestinal symptoms or subjective appetite sensations throughout the trial (P ≥ 0·412). Total plasma GLP-1 (AUC, CON: 6369 (sd 2330); CP: 9064 (sd 3021) pmol/l; P < 0·001) and insulin (+80 % at peak) were higher after CP (P < 0·001). Plasma ghrelin and leptin were lower in CP (condition effect; P ≤ 0·032). PYY, CCK and glucose were not different between CP and placebo (P ≥ 0·100). CP supplementation following exercise increased GLP-1 and insulin concentrations and reduced ad libitum energy intake at a subsequent meal in physically active females.

This repeated cross-sectional study assessed the validity and reproducibility of the myfood24® dietary assessment tool against dietary intake biomarkers in healthy Danish adults. The study included 71 healthy adults (14/57 m/f), aged 53.2 ± 9.1 years with an average BMI of 26.1 ± 0.3 kg/m2. Participants were instructed to complete seven-day weighed food records using myfood24® at baseline and 4 ± 1 weeks thereafter. Estimated mean dietary intake was compared with objective measures of energy metabolism and selected dietary intake biomarkers in fasting blood (folate) and in 24-hour urine (urea, potassium). Resting energy expenditure was measured by indirect calorimetry. Application of the Goldberg cut-off classified 87% (n = 62) of participants as acceptable reporters. A strong Spearman’s rank correlation was observed between total folate intake and serum folate (ρ = 0.62). Acceptable correlations were noted for serum folate (ρ = 0.49) and urinary potassium excretion (ρ = 0.44) with estimated and measured protein intake (ρ = 0.45); energy intake and total energy expenditure (ρ = 0.38); potassium intake and potassium excretion (ρ = 0.42); and estimated fruit and vegetable intake. Reproducibility analysis revealed strong correlations (ρ ≥ 0.50) across most nutrients and food groups, except for fish and vitamin D (ρ = 0.30 and ρ = 0.26, respectively). Notably, reproducibility for folate and total vegetable intake exhibited the highest correlations (ρ = 0.84 and ρ = 0.78, respectively). In conclusion, while some limitations exist, myfood24® remains a useful tool for ranking individuals by intake, particularly in studies focusing on relative comparisons.

The Murciano-Granadina goat breed was imported from Spain to the southern region of Iran to enhance production efficiency in the native and nomadic goat flocks of the region, primarily maintained under a low-input, low-output production system. In this study, the genetic and phenotypic aspects of milk production traits in the Murciano-Granadina goat breed were investigated using data collected from a private dairy farm in Ghale-Ganj city, located in southern Kerman province, Iran, between 2017 and 2024. Data on 76,874 test-day lactation records of milk yield (MY), fat yield (FY), protein yield (PY) and somatic cell count from 7,196 first-parity Murciano-Granadina does were used. The investigated traits were total MY, total FY, total PY, average fat-to-protein ratio (FPR) and average somatic cell score (SCS), all calculated based on a 275-day lactation period. A multivariate animal model was used to estimate the genetic and phenotypic parameters of the investigated traits. The heritability estimates for MY, FY, PY, FPR and SCS were 0.15, 0.06, 0.09, 0.10 and 0.26, respectively. The estimates of genetic correlations among the studied traits ranged from –0.38 for FY-FPR to 0.91 for FY-PY, while the phenotypic correlations ranged from –0.05 for MY-FPR to 0.90 for PY-FY. Genetic correlations between SCS and MY, FY and PY were low estimates of 0.16, 0.19 and 0.08, respectively. The corresponding phenotypic correlations were low estimates of 0.03 (MY-SCS), 0.05 (FY-SCS) and 0.06 (PY-SCS). Genetic and phenotypic correlation estimates among MY, FY and PY were positive and medium to high, with the corresponding genetic correlations generally higher than the phenotypic ones. These low heritability estimates for all the studied traits, except for SCS, suggest that non-additive genetic and environmental effects play a more significant role in the performance of the Murciano-Granadina goat. The high positive genetic correlation estimates between MY, FY and PY suggest that selection for higher MY should also increase in both FY and PY.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is characterized by changes in appetite and body weight as well as blunted reward sensitivity (‘anhedonia’). However, it is not well understood which mechanisms are driving changes in reward sensitivity, specifically regarding food. Here, we used a sample of 117 participants (54 patients with MDD and 63 healthy control participants [HCPs]) who completed a food cue reactivity task with ratings of wanting and liking for 60 food and 20 non-food items. To evaluate which components of the food may contribute to altered ratings in depression, we tested for associations with macronutrients of the depicted items. In line with previous studies, we found reduced ratings of food wanting (p = .003) but not liking (p = .23) in patients with MDD compared to matched HCPs. Adding macronutrient composition to the models of wanting and liking substantially improved their fit (ps < .001). Compared to carbohydrate-rich foods, patients with MDD reported lower liking and wanting ratings for high-fat and high-protein foods. Moreover, patients with MDD showed weaker correlations in their preferences for carbohydrate- versus fat- or protein-rich foods (ps < .001), pointing to potential disturbances in metabolic signaling. To conclude, our results suggest that depression-related alterations in food reward ratings are more specific to the macronutrient composition of the food than previously anticipated, hinting at disturbances in gut–brain signaling. These findings raise the intriguing question of whether interventions targeting the gut could help normalize aberrant reward signals for foods rich in fat or protein.

The increasing demand for food and especially proteins leads to the search for alternative protein sources. Meat co-products, which are available but little used in human food, provide a potential solution to this challenge. The present study aimed to evaluate the nutritional quality of two beef protein ingredients (greasy greaves recovered proteins (GGRP) and water recovered proteins (WRP)), both co-products of the fat rendering process. Their true ileal digestibility (TID), digestible indispensable amino acid score (DIAAS) and kinetics of plasma amino acids (AA) were measured in ten growing pigs, each fed the two co-products and a protein-free diet. Titanium dioxide was used as an indigestible marker. Digesta samples were collected for 9 h after meal ingestion, and blood samples were collected at ten time points during the same period. Total nitrogen (N) and AA contents were determined. Data were statistically analysed using linear mixed models. The TID of total N was not different between WRP and GGRP (81–84 %, P > 0·05). The first-limiting AA was Trp for both ingredients, with a DIAAS much higher for GGRP than for WRP (74 and 10 % for adults, respectively; P < 0·001). Postprandial plasma AA concentration peaked earlier for WRP (3 h) than for GGRP (5 h). Plasma concentrations of total and essential AA were higher (P < 0·001) with GGRP diet than WRP diet. Overall, GGRP has a nutritional quality suitable to meet the needs of adults for AA, while WRP needs to be supplemented with other protein sources to fulfil the dietary requirements.

Wild relatives of crop species are known to be sources of genetic diversity that can be used in crop improvement. However, they have not always been studied adequately for the variation that may exist within them, for traits which may have important implications from an evolutionary point of view and their use in breeding programmes. In the present study, a wild groundnut species, Arachis stenosperma, has been studied for variation between accessions collected from different sites in Brazil for morphological and certain nutritional traits, and for disease resistance. Multivariate analysis of 23 characters grouped 18 accessions into two clusters, while one accession, ICG 14927, was distinct from these. However, in protein profile they all appear identical. Hence, the variation appears to have arisen in response to the climatic conditions of their habitat, which has implications for use of these accessions in breeding programmes. The variation in these traits could not be associated with any phytogeographical regions. The dispersal of this species from its centre of origin and diversity to other parts of Brazil appears to be recent and without any identifiable selection pressures having operated.