BC30 boosts amino acid absorption from plant protein concentrate: Study
Weizmannia coagulans GBI-30, 6086 (BC30, formerly classified as Bacillus coagulans) has been reported to produce digestive enzymes (proteases) that can digest proteins more efficiently than the endogenous human proteases alone.
New data from scientists from Lindenwood University and Increnovo report that combining BC30 supplements with rice and pea protein concentrates led to significantly greater levels of alanine, tryptophan, cysteine, essential amino acids, and total amino acids compared to no BC30 in older women.
“These outcomes hold great relevance to any population who is challenged to consume adequate doses of protein such as the aged or any population with gastrointestinal compromise that may lack the digestive efficiency required to assimilate larger doses of protein,” wrote the scientists in Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins.
Study details
Thirty healthy women with an average age of 58.5 were recruited to participate in the randomized, double-blind, crossover study. The women were all assigned to receive 20 grams per day of protein from a blend of rice and pea protein concentrates (ProDiem Plant Protein Solutions, Kerry) with or without one billion CFUs of BC30 for 14 days. The intervention periods were separated by a three-week washout period before crossing over the other group for a further two weeks.
Co-supplementation of pea and rice protein with BC30 led to significantly greater areas under the curve (AUC – the total amount absorbed) and CMax (the peak concentration achieved) compared to the no BC30 intervention.
“The present study advances knowledge surrounding co-ingestion of probiotics and protein in two ways,” wrote the scientists. “First, this investigation used a blend of rice and pea protein concentrate. As discussed throughout recent reviews, plant proteins have increased in popularity and are in much greater demand than in previous years.
“In addition to using a plant protein source, the current study was one of the first investigations to use a cohort of older adults when examining the potential of a probiotic to impact protein digestion and amino acid absorption.”
“These results provide additional evidence that adding specific probiotic strains such as BC30 to various forms of protein can improve the appearance of amino acids in the blood,” they concluded.
Delivery formats
BC30 probiotic has long blazed a trail into new delivery formats. Being a spore-former, the bacterium is protected against heat and manufacturing processes, and this has seen the ingredient being used in a range of food and beverages, from pizza crust to tea and instant coffee.
The company announced earlier this year that it had developed a new liquid version of the ingredient, allowing for expansion in to the liquid milk and plant-based milk categories.
“Previously BC30 was only available as powder, but this new innovation expands the opportunities to major beverage players and liquid milk and plant-based milks who didn’t want to deal with powdered probiotics in their facilities,” John Quilter, Kerry VP of Global Portfolio – ProActive Health, told NutraIngredients-USA at Expo West 2022.
Source: Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins
Published online ahead of print, doi: 10.1007/s12602-022-10028-4
“Probiotic BC30 Improves Amino Acid Absorption from Plant Protein Concentrate in Older Women”
Authors: K.E. Walden et al.
