Ingestion of 'whole Cell' or 'split Cell' Sp., Sp., and Milk Protein Show Divergent Postprandial Plasma Amino Acid Responses with Similar Postprandial Blood Glucose Control in Humans

Overview

Journal Front Nutr

Specialty Nutritional Sciences

Date 2024 Nov 29

PMID 39610880

Authors

Ellen Williamson

Alistair J Monteyne

Ino van der Heijden

Doaa R Abdelrahman

Andrew J Murton

Benjamin Hankamer

Francis B Stephens

Benjamin T Wall

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Introduction: Microalgae provide a sustainable basis for protein-rich food production. However, human data concerning microalgae ingestion, subsequent postprandial amino acid (AA) availability and associated metabolic responses are minimal.

Objectives: We investigated ingesting sp. (spirulina;SPR), and sp. (chlorella; in 'whole cell' [WCC] and 'split cell' [SCC] forms, the latter proposed to improve digestibility), compared with a high-quality animal derived protein source (milk; MLK).

Subjects/methods: Ten participants (age; 21 ± 1y, BMI; 25 ± 1 kg·m) completed a randomised, crossover, double-blind study, partaking in 4 counterbalanced (for order) experimental visits. At each visit participants ingested SPR, WCC, SCC or MLK drinks containing 20 g protein and 75 g carbohydrate. Arterialised venous blood samples, indirect calorimetry and visual analogue scales were assessed postabsorptive, and throughout a 5 h postprandial period to measure AA, glucose, insulin and uric acid concentrations, whole-body energy expenditure and appetite scores, respectively.

Results: Protein ingestion increased plasma AA concentrations ( < 0.001) to differing total postprandial total-and essential-AA availabilities; highest for MLK (86.6 ± 17.8 mmol·L) and SPR (84.9 ± 12.5 mmol·L), lowest for WCC (-4.1 ± 21.7 mmol·L; < 0.05), with SCC (55.7 ± 11.2 mmol·L) marginally greater than WCC ( = 0.09). No differences ( > 0.05) were detected between conditions for postprandial glucose or insulin concentrations, whole-body energy expenditure or appetite scores, but serum uric acid concentrations increased ( 0.05) following microalgae ingestion only.

Conclusion: Our data imply that microalgae can present a bioavailable source of protein for human nutrition, however, challenges remain, requiring species selection and/or biomass processing to overcome.

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