Postprandial amino acid response after the ingestion of pea protein, milk protein, casein and a casein–pea blend, in healthy older adults

Abstract

To identify the potential anabolic properties of a dairy-plant protein blend as compared to single plant-based and single dairy protein, the postprandial amino acid (AA) response of pea protein, milk protein, micellar casein, and a casein–pea protein blend was investigated in healthy older adults (age 72.3 ± 3.4 years, BMI 25.3 ± 2.9 kg/m²). Plasma AA levels were measured, before and up to 5 h after ingestion of each 20 g protein. Blending casein–pea in a 60/40 mixture resulted in improved plasma AA availability, i.e. area under the curve (AUC) and peak height, of total (essential) AA and of key AAs methionine and leucine compared to pea only, while preserving the higher availability of arginine. The casein/pea blend clearly showed an AA response that was in between that of its single constituents, indicating that blending could be a solution to improve a lower quality (plant) protein, which could be of relevance for older adults.

Keywords:

• Protein
• postprandial AA response
• protein blends
• pea
• dairy
• elderly

Acknowledgements

We thank Simon Jacobs (NIZO) for his technical and analytical assistance.

Author contributions

MM, AK, JT, AB and MH developed the study; LvD executed the study; RW performed the protein/AA data analysis; MM, LvD and RW drafted the manuscript; all authors approved the final version of the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

LvD, AK, RW and MM have no conflict of interest. JT, AB and MH do work for Ingredia SA, which provided the protein sources and co-funded the project.

Additional information

Funding

This study was part of the public-private EAT2MOVE project, and partially supported by a public grant from the Province of Gelderland, Proposal PS2014-49, and co-funded by Ingredia SA.