Bioavailability of Plant Protein Amino Acids

This study aims to inform of the mechanism of action of plant-based protein by measuring the bioavailability (i.e. rate of appearance and magnitude of concentration in the circulation following oral ingestion) of key amino acid and metabolic products that regulate skeletal muscle protein synthesis (MPS) in humans.

Plant-based proteins contain several amino acids that are essential to signal muscle growth/repair and act as a substrate during muscle protein synthesis. However, compared to animal protein or free-amino acids, the bioavailability of certain essential amino acids may be compromised. Following selective processing (e.g. removal of carbohydrate and/or other anti-nutritive factors) food grade plant-based protein concentrates possibly confer greater bioavailability and bioactivity in vivo. This project explores the bioavailability and bioactivity of selected plant-based protein concentrates following oral ingestion in young, healthy men and women.