Eiwitbasis

Eiwitbasis is a Dutch term used in nutrition and food science to refer to the basis or reference amount of protein used in calculations, labeling, and dietary planning. It denotes the amount of usable or effective protein available from a food, portion, or diet, as opposed to the total crude protein content. Because foods vary in protein quality and how well they are digested, the eiwitbasis can differ depending on the method used to account for digestibility and amino acid adequacy.

In practice, the eiwitbasis matters when comparing foods, assessing whether a diet meets protein needs, or formulating meals and feeds. It can involve adjusting crude protein for digestibility or for the content of essential amino acids, resulting in values such as digestible protein or digestible indispensable amino acids. The eiwitbasis is also relevant in nutrition labeling in some jurisdictions and in research evaluating protein quality using frameworks like DIAAS or PDCAAS.

When estimating daily protein requirements, guidelines may express needs in terms of grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day based on a chosen eiwitbasis. Because the term is context-dependent, the implied basis can vary: some contexts emphasize total crude protein, others emphasize digestible protein or amino-acid-specific adequacy.

See also: protein quality, digestible protein, DIAAS, PDCAAS, essential amino acids.