The Bioavailability of Multiple Novel, Sustainable, Non-animal Derived Protein Sources (NOVA)

Comparing the Bioavailability of the Sustainable, Non-animal Derived Protein Sources Mycoprotein, Spirulina, Chlorella, Pea and Lupin to Milk Protein in Healthy Older Adults

The progressive age-related loss of muscle mass is termed sarcopenia. Consequences of sarcopenia are, but not limited to, decreased muscle strength, frailty, and an increased risk for the development of chronic metabolic diseases. Impaired postprandial protein digestion and amino acid absorption with advancing age has been suggested to be a key mechanism underlying sarcopenia. To overcome age-related skeletal muscle atrophy, sufficient dietary protein intake is required. However, the production of animal-based protein sources, such as milk, is associated with a number of economic, environmental, and ethical issues. Accordingly, there is a need to develop sustainable dietary protein sources to support our nutrition. Mycoprotein, spirulina, chlorella, pea, and lupin are novel, sustainable, non-animal derived protein sources that may represent potential alternative protein sources. However, the efficacy of these sources to stimulate muscle mass growth in both young and older adults is unknown.

Therefore, the present study will investigate the postprandial bioavailability of mycoprotein, spirulina, chlorella, pea, and lupin protein when compared to the animal-derived milk protein. Moreover, postprandial protein handling of these novel protein sources across different ages will be assessed. Briefly, 12 healthy young, and older adults will visit the University for 6 separate test days, with each day lasting 6 hours. Participants will consume the one of the 6 protein drinks on each test day. Repeated blood sampling will be used to assess protein digestion and subsequent systemic amino acid appearance.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Healthy Aging
• Intervention / Treatment: Dietary supplement: Protein ingestion

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 22
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United Kingdom
  • Exeter, United Kingdom
    • University of Exeter

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 80 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Males and females aged 18-35 or 55 - 80 years old.
• Body mass index between 18.5 - 30.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Any diagnosed metabolic impairment (e.g. type 1 or 2 Diabetes).
• Any diagnosed cardiovascular disease or hypertension.
• Elevated blood pressure (>150/90 mmHg) at the time of screening.
• Known pre-existing liver disease/condition.
• Any medication known to affect protein and/or amino acid metabolism.
• Allergy to mycoprotein/Quorn/edible fungi, edible algae, lupin/legumes, or milk.
• Smoking.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Basic Science
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
• Masking: Double

Number of Arms

6

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Mycoprotein; Ingestion of 30 g mycoprotein drink	Dietary supplement: Protein ingestion; Ingestion of various sustainable non-animal derived protein sources compared to animal-based milk protein.
Experimental: Spirulina; Ingestion of 30 g spirulina protein drink	Dietary supplement: Protein ingestion; Ingestion of various sustainable non-animal derived protein sources compared to animal-based milk protein.
Experimental: Chlorella; Ingestion of 30 g chlorella protein drink	Dietary supplement: Protein ingestion; Ingestion of various sustainable non-animal derived protein sources compared to animal-based milk protein.
Experimental: Pea; Ingestion of 30 g pea protein drink	Dietary supplement: Protein ingestion; Ingestion of various sustainable non-animal derived protein sources compared to animal-based milk protein.
Experimental: Lupin; Ingestion of 30 g lupin protein drink	Dietary supplement: Protein ingestion; Ingestion of various sustainable non-animal derived protein sources compared to animal-based milk protein.
Active Comparator: Milk; Ingestion of 30 g milk protein	Dietary supplement: Protein ingestion; Ingestion of various sustainable non-animal derived protein sources compared to animal-based milk protein.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Plasma amino acid concentrations	Peak and total plasma amino acid concentrations following protein ingestion	5 hours

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Blood glucose	The levels of glucose in the blood following protein ingestion	5 hours
Serum insulin	The levels of insulin in blood serum following protein ingestion	5 hours

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Exeter
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Benjamin T Wall, PhD, Professor of Nutritional Physiology

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): November 12, 2019
• Primary Completion (Actual): October 1, 2022
• Study Completion (Actual): October 1, 2022

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 3, 2020
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 4, 2020
• First Posted (Actual): March 5, 2020

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): January 11, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 10, 2024
• Last Verified: January 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Bioavailability; Protein digestion; Amino acid absorption
• Other Study ID Numbers: 191023/A/09

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No