PhD Student Monash University, Victoria, Australia
Protein is the limiting dietary nutrient requiring regular intake for life. In particular, organisms need adequate intake of 9 essential amino acids (EAAs), that may be of low natural abundance in some foods, e.g., cereals, vegetables etc. Proteins can be blended so as to ‘complete’ the overall requirements, however, the optimal target of EAA ratios for all species, is not well defined. Using modern methods of molecular biology, we propose a new approach to inform dietary protein quality using ‘exome-informed protein balancing’ or ‘ePROB’. The ePROB tool identifies blends of food proteins to deliver the absolute match for the exome of any species. This involves blending available food ingredients, with or without free amino acid supplementation, and optionally correcting for enzymatic digestibility in monogastrics. Using studies in flies and mice, we can demonstrate advantages for growth, feed conversion efficiency and reproduction. The ePROB approach represents a paradigm shift in understanding species-specific dietary protein requirements, and can address the adverse health effects of consuming mis-matched protein, and by lowering protein-specific metabolic waste, can increase efficiency of the available protein supply. ePROB concepts can be applied to feeding humans, with best effects expected under calorie-controlled, low protein dietary patterns. Significant benefits of ePROB are expected for livestock agriculture by correcting exome matching of feeds, delivering savings on costs and minimizing biological trade-offs between growth, reproductive health and longevity. We propose that ePROB can help to secure the future supply of dietary protein across human, animal and ag tech applications.