Ingestion of Insect Protein Isolate Enhances Blood Amino Acid Concentrations Similar to Soy Protein in A Human Trial

Mathias T Vangsoe, Rebekka Thogersen, Hanne C Bertram, Lars-Henrik L Heckmann, Mette Hansen, Mathias T Vangsoe, Rebekka Thogersen, Hanne C Bertram, Lars-Henrik L Heckmann, Mette Hansen

Abstract

Background: Increased amino acid availability stimulates muscle protein synthesis (MPS), which is critical for maintaining or increasing muscle mass when combined with training. Previous research suggests that whey protein is superior to soy protein in regard to stimulating MPS and muscle mass. Nevertheless, with respect to a future lack of dietary protein and an increasing need for using eco-friendly protein sources it is of great interest to investigate the quality of alternative protein sources, like insect protein.

Objective: Our aim was to compare the postprandial amino acid (AA) availability and AA profile in the blood after ingestion of protein isolate from the lesser mealworm, whey isolate, and soy isolate.

Design: Six healthy young men participated in a randomized cross-over study and received three different protein supplementations (25 g of crude protein from whey, soy, insect or placebo (water)) on four separate days. Blood samples were collected at pre, 0 min, 20 min, 40 min, 60 min, 90 min, and 120 min. Physical activity and dietary intake were standardized before each trial, and participants were instructed to be fasting from the night before. AA concentrations in blood samples were determined using ¹H NMR spectroscopy.

Results: A significant rise in blood concentration of essential amino acids (EAA), branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) and leucine was detected over the 120 min period for all protein supplements. Nevertheless, the change in AA profile was significantly greater after ingestion of whey than soy and insect protein (p < 0.05). Area under the curve (AUC) analysis and AA profile revealed comparable AA concentrations for soy and insect protein, whereas whey promoted a ~97% and ~140% greater AUC value than soy and insect protein, respectively. A tendency towards higher AA concentrations beyond the 120 min period was observed for insect protein.

Conclusion: We report that ingestion of whey, soy, and insect protein isolate increases blood concentrations of EAA, BCAA, and leucine over a 120 min period (whey > insect = soy). Insect protein induced blood AA concentrations similar to soy protein. However, a tendency towards higher blood AA concentrations at the end of the 120 min period post ingestion was observed for insect protein, which indicates that it can be considered a "slow" digestible protein source.

Keywords: NMR spectroscopy; alternative protein source; amino acid availability; lesser mealworm; metabolomics; nutrition; postprandial absorption.

Conflict of interest statement

There is no financial or personal conflict of interest to declare.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Experimental protocol.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Blood concentrations of essential amino acids (A), branched-chain amino acids (B), and leucine (C) after ingestion of whey, soy, or insect protein isolate. Insert: area under the curve (AUC) analysis for each concentration evaluated as incremental AUC from time = 0 min. * Significant different from insect protein (p < 0.05). # Significant different from soy protein (p < 0.05). All data was significant different from placebo at all time-point after 0-min. All values are mean ± SD; n = 6 per group.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Serum insulin concentration after ingestion of whey, soy, insect, or placebo. Blood samples were obtained pre and 0, 20, 40, 60, and 120 min post-prandial. * Significant different from insect isolate (p < 0.05), # significant different from soy isolate for same condition (p < 0.05). All values are mean ± SD; n = 6 per group.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Amino acid content of pure protein shown in comparison to the FAO’s current adult requirement (horizontal lines). All values are presented as means, see Table 2.

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