Nutritional Improvement Of Food And Feed Proteins

The nutritional quality of a protein depends on the proportion of its amino acids-especially the essential amino acids-their physio logical availability, and the specific requirements of the consumer. Availability varies and depends on protein source, interaction with other dietary components, and the consumer's age and physiological state. In many foods, especially those from plants, low levels of various essential amino acids limits their nutritive value. This is particularly important for cereals (which may be inadequate in the essential amino acids isoleucine, lysine, threonine, and tryto phan) and legumes (which are often poor sources of methionine). Moreover, these commodities are principle sources of protein for much of the earth's rapidly growing population. At the current annual growth rate of about 2 percent, the world population of about 4 billion will increase to 6.5 billion by the year 2000 and to 17 billion by the year 2050. Five hundred milliQn people are presently estimated to suffer protein malnutrition, with about fifteen thousand daily deaths. The ratio of malnourished to adequately nourished will almost surely increase. For these reasons, and especially in view of the limited availability of high quality (largely animal) protein to feed present and future populations, improvement of food and feed quality is especially important.

Abstract: In view of the world problems of malnutrition and inadequate food supplies, the nutritional quality of protein sources is becoming increasingly important. This issue is addressed in a 2-volume text examining protein quality in food products and feeds. Part I describes biological and chemical assay techniques for determining protein quality. These include quantitative biochemical assays for the amino acids, especially essential lysine, methionine and tryptophan, as well as tests for evaluating protein bioavailability, digestibility and protein efficiency ratio in animals and man. Biochemical parameters representing indices of protein nutritional value and methods for the complete evaluation of dietary proteins are discussed. Part 2 analyzes the protein quality of specific foods and feeds and reviews the effect of processing, plant breeding, enzymes, antinutrients and other factors of protein quality. Technologies for the improvement of protein sources are also presented.

Protein chemistry has entered a revolutionary era due to the introduction of genetic engineering for modifying protein structure, as well as the application of advanced computer technology to the study of proteins. By supplementing the traditional ways of studying protein behavior with these newer methods, food processors will be able to resolve difficult problems without using the costly trial-and-error-method so common in the past. This book gives the reader a good foundation in the basics of modern protein chemistry and to show how applications of these concepts to food proteins helps explain their roles in food processing.

Ideal for planning, performing, and interpreting food protein analyses, especially as it relates to the effect of food processing on protei investigation results. Delineates basic research principles, practices, and anticipated outcomes in each of the illustrated protein assays.

Abstract: In view of the world problems of malnutrition and inadequate food supplies, the nutritional quality of protein sources is becoming increasingly important. This issue is addressed in a 2-volume text examining protein quality in food products and feeds. Part I describes biological and chemical assay techniques for determining protein quality. These include quantitative biochemical assays for the amino acids, especially essential lysine, methionine and tryptophan, as well as tests for evaluating protein bioavailability, digestibility and protein efficiency ratio in animals and man. Biochemical parameters representing indices of protein nutritional value and methods for the complete evaluation of dietary proteins are discussed. Part 2 analyzes the protein quality of specific foods and feeds and reviews the effect of processing, plant breeding, enzymes, antinutrients and other factors of protein quality. Technologies for the improvement of protein sources are also presented.

Grain legumes, together with quinoa and amaranth (pseudocereals) and other crops are attractive candidates to satisfy the growing demand for plant protein production worldwide for food and feed. Despite their high value, many protein crops have not been adequately assessed and numerous species are underutilized. Special attention has to be paid to genetic diversity and landraces, and to the key limiting factors affecting yield, including water deficiency and other abiotic and biotic stresses, in order to obtain stable, reliable and sustainable crop production through the introduction and local adaptation of genetically improved varieties. Legumes, the main protein crops worldwide, contribute to the sustainable improvement of the environment due to their ability to fix nitrogen and their beneficial effects on the soil. They play a key role in the crop diversification and sustainable intensification of agriculture, particularly in light of new and urgent challenges, such as climate change and food security. In addition, the role of legumes in nutrition has been recognized as a relevant source of plant protein, together with other benefits for health. Chapters dealing with common bean, lupine, soybean, lentil, cowpea and Medicago are included in this book. Most contributions deal with legumes, but the significant number of papers on different aspects of quinoa gives an idea of the increasing importance of this protein crop. Pseudocereals, such as quinoa and amaranth, are good sources of proteins. Quinoa and amaranth seeds contain lysine, an essential amino acid that is limited in other grains. Nutritional evaluations of quinoa indicate that it constitutes a source of complete protein with a good balance among all of the amino acids needed for human diet, and also important minerals, vitamins, high quality oils and flavonoids. Other protein crops also included in this book are hemp, cotton and cereals (maize, wheat and rice). Although cereals protein content is not high, their seeds are largely used for human consumption. In this book are included articles dealing with all different aspects of protein crops, including nutritional value, breeding, genetic diversity, biotic and abiotic stress, cropping systems or omics, which may be considered crucial to help provide the plant proteins of the future. Overall, the participation of 169 authors in 29 chapters in this book indicates an active scientific community in the field, which appears to be an encouraging reflect of the global awareness of the need for sustainability and the promising future of proteins crops as a source of food and feed.