Comprehensive Review of Plant Protein Digestibility: Challenges, Assessment Methods, and Improvement Strategies
Plant-based proteins are increasingly recognized for their environmental, ethical, and nutritional benefits. However, their digestibility varies due to factors such as molecular structure, amino acid composition, and processing methods. This review comprehensively analyzes methods used to assess pla...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Applied Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/7/3538 |
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| author | Mauricio Opazo-Navarrete César Burgos-Díaz Cristina Bravo-Reyes Ivo Gajardo-Poblete Manuel Chacón-Fuentes Juan E. Reyes Luis Mojica |
| author_facet | Mauricio Opazo-Navarrete César Burgos-Díaz Cristina Bravo-Reyes Ivo Gajardo-Poblete Manuel Chacón-Fuentes Juan E. Reyes Luis Mojica |
| author_sort | Mauricio Opazo-Navarrete |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Plant-based proteins are increasingly recognized for their environmental, ethical, and nutritional benefits. However, their digestibility varies due to factors such as molecular structure, amino acid composition, and processing methods. This review comprehensively analyzes methods used to assess plant protein digestibility, including in vivo, in vitro, and ex vivo approaches. While in vivo studies, particularly those using pigs, are considered the gold standard, in vitro and ex vivo models offer cost-effective and reproducible alternatives for simulating digestion. Additionally, antinutritional factors present in plant proteins can hinder digestibility, necessitating processing strategies such as fermentation, enzymatic hydrolysis, and high-pressure treatments to enhance protein bioavailability. Advances in evaluation techniques, including the Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Score (DIAAS) and dynamic digestion models, offer more precise assessments of protein quality. By systematically comparing these methods, this review aims to guide food scientists and manufacturers in selecting appropriate evaluation strategies to improve the nutritional quality of plant-based protein products. Understanding the mechanisms influencing plant protein digestibility is essential for optimizing food formulations and supporting the broader adoption of sustainable protein sources in human diets. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8f9735c08fbd467c87bc045db2cca0be |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-8f9735c08fbd467c87bc045db2cca0be2025-08-20T03:08:44ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-03-01157353810.3390/app15073538Comprehensive Review of Plant Protein Digestibility: Challenges, Assessment Methods, and Improvement StrategiesMauricio Opazo-Navarrete0César Burgos-Díaz1Cristina Bravo-Reyes2Ivo Gajardo-Poblete3Manuel Chacón-Fuentes4Juan E. Reyes5Luis Mojica6Agriaquaculture Nutritional Genomic Center (CGNA), Temuco 4780000, ChileAgriaquaculture Nutritional Genomic Center (CGNA), Temuco 4780000, ChileFoodTech SpA, Temuco 4780000, ChileAgriaquaculture Nutritional Genomic Center (CGNA), Temuco 4780000, ChileAgriaquaculture Nutritional Genomic Center (CGNA), Temuco 4780000, ChileDepartment of Food Engineering, Universidad del Bío-Bío, Av. Andrés Bello 720, Chillán 3800708, ChileTecnología Alimentaria, Centro de Investigación y Asistencia en Tecnología y Diseño del Estado de Jalisco, A.C. CIATEJ, Unidad Zapopan, Camino Arenero 1227, El Bajío, Zapopan 45019, Jalisco, MexicoPlant-based proteins are increasingly recognized for their environmental, ethical, and nutritional benefits. However, their digestibility varies due to factors such as molecular structure, amino acid composition, and processing methods. This review comprehensively analyzes methods used to assess plant protein digestibility, including in vivo, in vitro, and ex vivo approaches. While in vivo studies, particularly those using pigs, are considered the gold standard, in vitro and ex vivo models offer cost-effective and reproducible alternatives for simulating digestion. Additionally, antinutritional factors present in plant proteins can hinder digestibility, necessitating processing strategies such as fermentation, enzymatic hydrolysis, and high-pressure treatments to enhance protein bioavailability. Advances in evaluation techniques, including the Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Score (DIAAS) and dynamic digestion models, offer more precise assessments of protein quality. By systematically comparing these methods, this review aims to guide food scientists and manufacturers in selecting appropriate evaluation strategies to improve the nutritional quality of plant-based protein products. Understanding the mechanisms influencing plant protein digestibility is essential for optimizing food formulations and supporting the broader adoption of sustainable protein sources in human diets.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/7/3538plant proteinsprotein digestibilityprotein qualityin vivo methodsex vivo methodsin vitro methods |
| spellingShingle | Mauricio Opazo-Navarrete César Burgos-Díaz Cristina Bravo-Reyes Ivo Gajardo-Poblete Manuel Chacón-Fuentes Juan E. Reyes Luis Mojica Comprehensive Review of Plant Protein Digestibility: Challenges, Assessment Methods, and Improvement Strategies Applied Sciences plant proteins protein digestibility protein quality in vivo methods ex vivo methods in vitro methods |
| title | Comprehensive Review of Plant Protein Digestibility: Challenges, Assessment Methods, and Improvement Strategies |
| title_full | Comprehensive Review of Plant Protein Digestibility: Challenges, Assessment Methods, and Improvement Strategies |
| title_fullStr | Comprehensive Review of Plant Protein Digestibility: Challenges, Assessment Methods, and Improvement Strategies |
| title_full_unstemmed | Comprehensive Review of Plant Protein Digestibility: Challenges, Assessment Methods, and Improvement Strategies |
| title_short | Comprehensive Review of Plant Protein Digestibility: Challenges, Assessment Methods, and Improvement Strategies |
| title_sort | comprehensive review of plant protein digestibility challenges assessment methods and improvement strategies |
| topic | plant proteins protein digestibility protein quality in vivo methods ex vivo methods in vitro methods |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/7/3538 |
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