Improved estimation of in vitro protein digestibility of different foods using size exclusion chromatography

Summary

While the harmonized INFOGEST model provides a physiologically relevant platform for simulated digestion, it
needs to be combined with adequate analytical methods to enable quantification and comparison of protein
digestibility in different food matrices. We have shown that size exclusion chromatography (SEC) can be used to
estimate the proportion of small peptides potentially available for uptake. Combined with determination of total
dissolved protein, the % of small peptides per total protein was calculated as a physiologically relevant estimate
of protein digestibility (DSEC). Values for DSEC differed for casein (87.6%), chicken mince (72.6%), heated pea
protein concentrate (67.8%), bread (63%), beef entrecote (57.7%) and pea protein concentrate (57.8%). In
contrast to existing methods (TCA soluble protein, free NH2-groups), the proposed SEC based method gives
separate insight into the two fundamental processes during protein digestion (solubilization and break-down),
while maintaining the ability to rank digestibility of very different food proteins.

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DOI : doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.202...
NVA : hdl.handle.net/11250/2753544