Nitrogen balance after a single oral consumption of sacha inchi (Plukenetia volúbilis L.) protein compared to soy protein: a randomized study in humans

Abstract

Sacha inchi is a seed produced in the Peruvian Amazonian and its oil is recognized by the lowering lipids effect in humans. The remaining material transformed to flour has a higher amount of protein, but, the nitrogen balance once ingested orally has not been studied. The present study was designed to evaluate the nitrogen balance after single consumption of 30 g of sacha inchi flour and compared with that obtained after consumption of 30 g soybean flour in adult men and women. This was a double-blind cohort study in 15 men and 15 women between 18 and 55 years old. Fifteen subjects received soy meal and 15 subjects received sacha inchi meal. Group receiving sacha inchi flour has comparable initial parameters as those receiving soybean flour (p > 0.05). Blood samples at different times were obtained. Urine for 24 h was collected to calculate nitrogen balance, p < 0.05 was considered significant. Plasma insulin levels increased post-prandial with a peak at 30 min. Thereafter, a reduction occurred. The magnitude of changes in insulin levels was similar in sacha inchi and soybean groups (p < 0.05). Lipid profile and inflammatory marker, C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin 6 (IL6) was not different at 0 or 24 h after sacha inchi or soy flour administration. The nitrogen balance was negative in the study but similar between both groups (p > 0.05). In conclusion, protein consumption of sacha inchi flour has the same nitrogen balance as soybean flour, shows acceptability for a single consumption and does not present serious adverse effects.

Keywords:

• Sacha inchi flour
• soybean flour
• nitrogen balance
• acceptability
• insulin

Acknowledgments

We acknowledge the contribution of Dr Manuel Gasco and Med. Jeanette Bernuy, who supported with data on digestibility of protein in rats. The help of María Isabel Ruiz, Alberto Montes and Eduardo Hurtado for their technical support in the study.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests of any kind in this research.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by PeruBioinnova Project, an initiative supported by Swiss Cooperation – SECO and the German Cooperation (implemented by GIZ) within the framework of the Contribution to Environmental Goals Program in Peru (ProAmbiente) and the Program for the Competitiveness Agenda 2014–2018 (SECOMPETITIVE).