Justification of unconventional protein-containing raw materials for the construction of milk chocolate formulas with increased biological value

Milk chocolate is particularly popular with different age groups. It is characterized by low protein content with a large amount of fats and carbohydrates determining the food imbalance of the product. In conditions of high-grade animal proteins deficiency the selection of high-quality protein-containing ingredients for food production is very relevant. The aim of this work is to study the protein adequacy of various components of milk chocolate to enhance its biological value. The amino acid scale method has been used to assess the biological value of proteins; it is based on the determination of amino acid (chemical) score. It has been found that the limiting biological value amino acid for classical white raw ingredients of milk chocolate (cocoa products and milk powder) is methionine + cysteine. For constructing chocolate formulas with increased biological value it is advisable to use protein-containing raw materials (whey protein concentrate, oat flour, etc.) to compensate for the limiting amino acids. The indicator of amino acids utilitarianity of proteins of raw milk chocolate components has been calculated. On the basis of the utilitarian index we have established the coefficient of utilitarian of the amino acid composition of the raw materials characterizing essential amino acids' balance. We have determined the biological value of protein and the amino acid composition imbalance coefficient. It has been found that the amino acid composition of milk and whey protein concentrates is most balanced compared to the amino acid composition of traditional protein-containing raw components of milk chocolate. The limiting acid of whey protein concentrate is valine, which makes its use in the manufacture of chocolate products more attractive compared to milk protein concentrate (the limiting amino acid is methionine + cysteine). In the group of vegetable non-conventional raw materials oat and buckwheat flour are characterized by the best indicators of biological value. The amino acid adequacy of oat flour is comparable to the qualitative protein indicators of cocoa products, the limiting amino acid is lysine. Buckwheat flour is characterized by the smallest imbalance in amino acid composition, which distinguishes the proteins of this raw material with the highest degree of digestibility compared with the proteins of all the studied protein-containing components of milk chocolate.