Benhammouche, TassaditMelo, ArmindoMartins, ZitaFaria, Miguel A.Pinho, Susana C.M.Ferreira, Isabel M.L.P.V.O.Zaidi, Farid2021-04-082021-04-082020-12-24Food Chem. 2021 Jun 30;348:128858. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.128858. Epub 2020 Dec 24.0308-8146http://hdl.handle.net/10400.18/7671The nutritional value and digestibility of leaf proteins is still a major issue. Therefore, the goal of this work was to optimize the production of a protein concentrate (PC) from Moringa Oleifera defatted leaves (MODL) by enzymatic extraction using Viscozyme L and evaluate its nutritional quality and digestibility. Protein extraction conditions were screened using a factorial design. Enzyme/Substrate ratio and pH had no significant effect, whereas, the significant variables, temperature (°C), enzyme concentration and incubation time (h) were optimized by central composite design (CCD). PC contained 55.7% of proteins with a balanced amino acid profile when compared with MODL and higher content of essential amino acids (EAAs) (488.6-402.9 mg/g of protein respectively). Improvement on protein digestibility was observed for MODL compared to PC (64.75-99.86% respectively) and higher protein digestibility corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS) (62.10-91.41% respectively). PC meets FAO protein quality expectations.Highlights: Sustainable extraction of leaf proteins with the low temperatures/incubation times; Moringa protein concentrate has higher essential amino acids index than whole leaves; Protein isolation and concentration enhanced its nutritional value and digestibility.engAmino Acids, EssentialMoringa oleiferaPlant LeavesPlant ProteinsDigestionNutritive ValueComposição dos Alimentosjournal article10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.128858