Overview
Formula Management allows you to calculate the Protein Digestibility-Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS) for a formula.
PDCAAS evaluates protein quality based on the essential amino acid composition of the protein and the digestibility of the protein-containing ingredients.
The calculation requires applicable amino acid and digestibility data for the ingredients in the formula.
Note: Customers are responsible for verifying the accuracy and applicability of ingredient data, nutritional information, digestibility values, and the resulting PDCAAS value.
Calculate PDCAAS
Use the PDCAAS Calculator to enter digestibility values and apply the calculated PDCAAS value to the formula.
For example, you can use a Chocolate Peanut Protein Bar formula containing whey protein, peanut butter, pea protein isolate, and coconut oil.
Step 1: Open the Formula.
Step 2: Select Base Recipe > Amount.
Step 3: Enter or review the Amount for each ingredient in the formula.
Formula Management calculates the applicable ingredient weight and percentage values.
Step 4: Select Calculate PDCAAS.
Step 5: The PDCAAS Calculator opens. Enter the Digestibility value for each applicable protein-containing ingredient.
Digestibility values may be available from:
- The item's Data Sheet, if populated.
- Ingredient documentation or other reliable sources.
- The reference chart provided with the PDCAAS Calculator.
Step 6: Click Apply PDCAAS value.
The Calculate PDCAAS window closes, and the formula's Base Recipe screen displays the updated PDCAAS value.
Amino Acid Data
The PDCAAS calculation uses essential amino acid data associated with the protein-containing ingredients in the formula.
The essential amino acids used in the calculation include:
- Histidine
- Isoleucine
- Leucine
- Lysine
- Methionine + cystine
- Phenylalanine + tyrosine
- Threonine
- Tryptophan
- Valine
The amino acid score compares the actual amount of an essential amino acid with its applicable reference amount. The amino acid with the lowest score is the limiting amino acid used in the PDCAAS calculation.
Amino acid amounts are entered in milligrams (mg). The amino acid ratios used for protein quality evaluation are expressed as milligrams of amino acid per gram of protein (mg/g).
Enter Digestibility Values on the Item Data Sheet
Digestibility values can be entered on an item's Data Sheet. When a digestibility value is populated there, it is available in the PDCAAS Calculator when the item is used in a formula.
Step 1: From Composition (Items), find the applicable item and select the Open Item Data Sheet icon to open the item's Data Sheet in a new tab.
Step 2: Enter the Protein Digestibility (%) value.
Step 3: Select Save.
The protein digestibility value is available in the PDCAAS Calculator when the item is used in a formula.
Review the PDCAAS Result
After you select Apply PDCAAS Value, Formula Management returns to the formula's Base Recipe screen.
Review the updated PDCAAS value on the formula.
Note: Verify the underlying ingredient data and digestibility values before using the calculated PDCAAS value for labeling or other regulatory purposes.