Roquette study confirms the excellent nutritional quality of its pea protein

On the occasion of World Pulses Day, Roquette, a global leader in plant-based ingredients and a pioneer of plant proteins, highlights the exceptional properties of peas through the outstanding results of a recent DIAAS (Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Score) study on its pea protein.

Roquette is the first key player in the pea protein market to use this method, recommended by the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) of the United Nations. Their study and its associated results represent another major milestone in the company's commitment to contribute to the development of a new plant-based cuisine offering high nutritional quality and sustainable food for a healthier planet.  

Pea protein offers a balanced amino acid profile and an excellent digestibility that fully responds to consumers’ nutritional needs, according to study (Photo courtesy: Roquette)

Exceptional nutritional quality of pea protein…

The nutritional quality of proteins is the combination of two factors that are key in terms of nutrition: the digestibility and the composition in amino acids. The recent study, conducted by the Roquette team in partnership with renowned academic experts from the INRAE, France's National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment, concluded with a DIAAS score of 100, showing that pea protein offers a balanced amino acid profile and an excellent digestibility that fully responds to consumers’ nutritional needs.

The DIAAS methodology allows the evaluation of the digestibility of each indispensable amino acid in the protein with a very precise protocol implemented in humans. This high-level method is used to complement the notable PDCAAS (Protein Digestibility-Corrected Amino Acid Score) of 93* already obtained for NUTRALYS ® pea protein.

… supported by Roquette’s expertise

Dedicated Roquette R&D teams are evaluating and advancing the benefits of the NUTRALYS ® pea protein range thanks to the expertise developed throughout the 20+ years of Roquette’s involvement in pea protein. From the outset, Roquette has been collaborating with world-class research teams and shared the results of this impactful DIAAS study with the scientific community. Roquette wants to support its customers in the development of a healthy and delicious plant-based cuisine.

Caroline Perreau, Nutrition and Health Research Manager at Roquette, explained: “Thanks to high level scientific collaborations with academic experts, we showcase, through the robust DIAAS methodology on humans, the premium nutritional quality of our pea protein. This was another step to share our expertise about pea protein nutritional benefits.”

Jeremy Burks, Senior Vice President of Plant Proteins at Roquette, added: “The result of this study is another piece of evidence that pea protein is an outstanding plant-based ingredient. At Roquette, we aim to be the best partner for our customers and all the players along the value chain, and we are proud to be the first to use this methodology that confirms our strong bet for this extraordinary pulse.”

Juliane Calvez, Research Scientist at INRAE, said: “In a clinical study on healthy volunteers, we showed that Roquette’s pea protein isolate displayed a well-balanced indispensable amino acid composition associated with a high digestibility. We obtained a DIAAS of 100 that demonstrates pea isolate is an excellent source of plant protein for human diet.”

Thanks to its strong expertise, ambitious investments, and drive for innovation, Roquette is firmly committed to contributing to the current food revolution by helping people around the world add more plant protein to their diets. Studies highlight the number of plant protein product launches multiplied by 5 between 2014 and 2020, an exceptional growth rate driven by consumers’ focus on health, well-being and sustainable development.

* on adults, referring to pattern FAO/WHO 2007

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Read the study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition: Pea protein digestibility