Summary
This descriptive study provides integrated nutritional and phytochemical profiling of five commercially available UK plant-based foods, addressing a gap in comprehensive compositional data. Using targeted LC-MS/MS and HPLC analysis of 171 bioactive molecules alongside macronutrient and micronutrient assessment, the authors characterise substantial variation in nutrient and phytochemical composition across different cultivars and processing forms. The findings support crop and product diversity as a mechanism for enhancing dietary nutrient and phytochemical intake, with practical applications for dietary assessment and food innovation.
Regional applicability
This study is directly applicable to United Kingdom conditions and practice, as the focus is explicitly on UK commercially available products. The compositional data will support British dietary assessment tools, food formulation by UK manufacturers, and evidence-based dietary guidance on plant-based foods in the UK food environment.
Key measures
Macronutrients (protein, fat, carbohydrate), dietary fibre, amino acid profiles, fatty acid composition, essential minerals (phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, iron), phytochemical concentrations (171 molecules screened via LC-MS/MS and HPLC)
Outcomes reported
The study characterized macronutrients, dietary fibre, amino acids, fatty acids, essential minerals, and phytochemicals across five plant-based food products (quinoa, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, flaxseeds, triticale) using LC-MS/MS and HPLC screening of 171 molecules. Results identified pumpkin seeds as highest in protein and fat; flaxseeds and chia seeds as richest in dietary fibre; and red quinoa, golden flaxseed, and white chia seed as containing the highest phytochemical concentrations.
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