Protein Quality Infographic
For most US Foods, protein claims are based on a protein quality measurement, called PDCAAS. PDCAAS stands for Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score.
Protein Digestibility
Common protein sources have reference digestibility factors published in Federal Register Vol 58, No 3, 1993 or other publications. Reference values can be proportionally used. Novel protein sources may require animal feeding studies to determine digestibility.
The declared gram protein on a label is a crude protein value, typically measured by Combustion (Dumas) or Distillation/Titration (Kjeldahl) techniques unique to proteins: % Daily Value is not just based on crude protein and is not even required except for specific circumstances. If declared, the claimed % Daily Value must consider protein quality through a PDCAAS calculation.
Did You Know?
% Daily Value for protein has different rules for if and how it is declared. Download our infographic to see three examples of differing declarations.
Amino Acid Score
The amino acid score is determined by digesting proteins into individual amino acids, and comparing the essential amino acids in mg/g protein to the reference pattern (amino acid requirements of preschool children age 2-5). This infographic shows an example illustration. In the example, Lysine, Valine and Tryptophan are all limiting (less than reference pattern), but Lysine is the lowest ratio and therefore the amino acid score is based on its ratio.
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