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A Protocol for Computer-Based Protein Structure and Function Prediction
Published on: November 3, 2011
Amino acid scoring patterns for protein quality assessment.
1Division of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK. D.Millward@surrey.ac.uk
The British Journal of Nutrition
|October 31, 2012
Summary
The 1985, 1991, and 2007 reports established reference amino acid patterns for estimating protein quality. These patterns, crucial for assessing dietary protein, have evolved with updated scientific understanding and methodologies.
Area of Science:
- Nutrition Science
- Biochemistry
- Public Health
Background:
- Established reference amino acid patterns are essential for evaluating dietary protein quality.
- Previous reports (1985 FAO/WHO/UNU) defined patterns for various age groups based on amino acid requirements and protein intake.
- Expert consultations (1991 FAO/WHO) refined protein quality evaluation methods, endorsing digestibility-corrected amino acid scoring.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the evolution of reference amino acid patterns for protein quality assessment.
- To analyze the methodologies and findings of key international reports (1985, 1991, 2007) concerning amino acid requirements and scoring patterns.
- To highlight the challenges and advancements in deriving age-specific amino acid scoring patterns.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of historical reports from FAO/WHO/UNU (1985, 1991, 2007) on protein and amino acid requirements.
- Examination of the methods used to derive reference amino acid patterns, including factorial approaches and digestibility corrections.
- Comparison of scoring patterns across different age groups and reports.
Main Results:
- The 1985 report proposed reference patterns based on breast milk for infants and age-specific requirements for others, emphasizing digestibility-corrected amino acid scores.
- The 1991 consultation endorsed the scoring approach but rejected the adult pattern from 1985, suggesting the preschool pattern as an interim measure.
- The 2007 report reaffirmed breast milk for infants and used a factorial approach for age-related patterns, deriving specific patterns for children and adults.
Conclusions:
- Reference amino acid patterns have been refined over time, reflecting evolving scientific understanding of human requirements.
- The digestibility-corrected amino acid score remains a key method for protein quality assessment.
- Deriving accurate, age-specific amino acid patterns requires robust data and careful consideration of protein intake levels.
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