Protein Absorption and Amino Acid AvailabilityNCT07791420
Measurement of Acute Metabolite Changes Following Consumption of Microalgae Drinks
A study testing Bead-milled microalgae, Non-bead-milled microalgae and Whey protein isolate in people with Protein Absorption and Amino Acid Availability and Metabolomics, run by National University of Singapore at 1 site in Singapore.
Trial summary
Protein consumption is essential for various physiological processes, with microalgae and plant proteins gaining increasing attention due to their health benefits. To better understand how different protein types and processing methods impact health outcomes, this study aims to analyse the metabolite changes in… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 21 to 60 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Protein Absorption and Amino Acid Availability, Metabolomics
- What is being tested?
- Bead-milled microalgae, Non-bead-milled microalgae and Whey protein isolate
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 20 participants
- Where
- 1 siteSingapore
- Study dates
- 1 Sep 2026to 31 Dec 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 21 to 60 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- English-literate and able to give informed consent
- Singaporean Chinese Adults aged 21 to 60 (inclusive)
- Body mass index of 18.5 to 23.0 kg/m^2 (inclusive)
- Healthy (Based on results from screening session)
Who cannot join
- Currently participating in another clinical study that involves altering the regular diet and/or involves consuming a dietary supplement or investigated food product as an intervention
- High blood pressure (≥ 140/90 mmHg)
- Underlying health conditions that may affect metabolic functions
- Consuming amino acid or protein supplements, or protein drinks, regularly (i.e., more than three times a week) for the past 3 months, and not willing to discontinue usage 3 months before and during the study duration
- Weight change > 3 kg in the past 3 months
- Weight < 50 kg
Show all 22Show fewer
- Exercising vigorously over the past 3 months (i.e., engaging in high-intensity exercises for more than 3 hours a week, where high-intensity exercises leave one out of breath and unable to talk or sing during the workout)
- Current smokers or have quit smoking for less than 5 years
- Drinking > 2 alcoholic drinks per day (i.e., one drink is defined as either 150 ml of wine, 340 ml of beer/cider or 45 ml of distilled spirit)
- If drinking ≤ 2 alcoholic drinks per day, not willing to stop consumption of alcoholic beverages two days before and on the day of the test visits
- Not willing to stop consumption of caffeinated beverages 10 to 12 houFrs before and on the day of the test visits
- Currently on a specialised diet (e.g., Halal, vegetarian, vegan, weight loss diet)
- Had serious food allergies in the past, or having intolerance, sensitivities or allergies to any of the following: seaweed or algae and their derived products, milk/dairy products (e.g., whey), starch/starch-derived products (e.g., rice, corn, wheat, potato), soy/soy-derived products, gluten, eggs, nuts, peanuts, fish and crustaceans
- Disease or impairment of the kidney and/or liver*
- Currently diagnosed with diabetes*, gastrointestinal issues (e.g., lactose intolerance, irritable bowel syndrome), gout and/or G6PD deficiency
- Taking antibiotics 2 weeks prior to study participation
- Taking anti-hypertensive or cholesterol-lowering drugs for less than 3 years unless medically declared by an official doctor to be in stable condition
- Poor peripheral venous access based on past experiences with blood drawing
- Individuals with anemia and/or blood clotting disorders
- Donated blood within the 12 weeks prior to study participation
- Individuals with pacemaker or related electrical medical devices
- Pregnant, lactating, or planning pregnancy in the next 6 months
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Singapore1 site
NUS, Department of Food Science and Technology, 1 Science Drive 3, Block S13, #03-07, Singapore, 117550
Singapore
Marven Ng, B.Sc., (+65) 8816 9977, ngmarven@u.nus.edu
Jung Eun Kim, Ph.D., R.D.
About this study
Official title: Measurement of Acute Metabolite Changes Following Consumption of Unprocessed and Processed Microalgae: A Randomized Crossover Trial
Protein consumption is essential for various physiological processes, with microalgae and plant proteins gaining increasing attention due to their health benefits. To better understand how different protein types and processing methods impact health outcomes, this study aims to analyse the metabolite changes in response to different protein sources.
Read the detailed description
This study is a randomised crossover trial involving 16 participants. It comprises one screening visit and five test visits, during which participants will consume intervention drinks containing primarily (1) maltodextrin, (2) whey protein isolate, (3) soy protein isolate, (4) bead-milled microalgae, or (5) non-bead-milled microalgae in a randomised order. The study aims to investigate and compare acute postprandial metabolite responses following the consumption of bead-milled and non-bead-milled microalgae, as well as whey and soy protein isolates, in Singaporean adults.
- Being tested
- Bead-milled microalgae, Non-bead-milled microalgae, Whey protein isolate, Soy protein isolate, Maltodextrin (Placebo)
- Keywords
- Protein absorption, Amino acid availability, Metabolomics, Processing, Microalgae, Acute
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Bead-milled microalgaeDietary supplement
Consume a 400 mL drink containing 20 g protein equivalent of bead-milled microalgae
Non-bead-milled microalgaeDietary supplement
Consume a 400 mL drink containing 20 g protein equivalent of non-bead-milled microalgae
Whey protein isolateDietary supplement
Consume a 400 mL drink containing 20 g protein equivalent of whey protein isolate
Soy protein isolateDietary supplement
Consume a 400 mL drink containing 20 g protein equivalent of soy protein isolate
Maltodextrin (Placebo)Dietary supplement
Consume a 400 mL drink containing maltodextrin matched for the energy content of 20 g protein
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Bead-milled microalgae | Experimental | Consume a 400 mL drink containing 20 g protein equivalent of bead-milled microalgae Receives: Dietary Supplement: Bead-milled microalgae |
| Non-bead-milled microalgae | Active comparator | Consume a 400 mL drink containing 20 g protein equivalent of non-bead-milled microalgae Receives: Dietary Supplement: Non-bead-milled microalgae |
| Whey protein isolate | Active comparator | Consume a 400 mL drink containing 20 g protein equivalent of whey protein isolate Receives: Dietary Supplement: Whey protein isolate |
| Soy Protein Isolate | Active comparator | Consume a 400 mL drink containing 20 g protein equivalent of soy protein isolate Receives: Dietary Supplement: Soy protein isolate |
| Maltodextrin | Placebo comparator | Consume a 400 mL drink containing maltodextrin matched for the energy content of 20 g protein Receives: Dietary Supplement: Maltodextrin (Placebo) |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Changes in metabolites found in plasma (plasma metabolomics)
Targeted metabolomics profiling of plasma will be conducted using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Measured: Baseline, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 180, 240, 300 minutes
Changes in metabolites found in urine (urinary metabolomics)
Targeted metabolomics profiling of urine will be conducted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Measured: Baseline and 300 minutes
Secondary outcomes (1)
Appetite
The Appetite Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) questionnaire will be administered, with participants rating five appetite-related outcomes, i.e. desire to eat, hunger, fullness, satisfaction, and prospective food consumption. Each response will be measured on a 100-mm visual analogue scale and scored from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicate a greater intensity of the outcomes being assessed, i.e. greater desire to eat, greater hunger, greater fullness, greater satisfaction, or a greater perceived amount of food that could be consumed.
Measured: Baseline, 60, 120, 180, 240, 300 minutes
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted28 Aug 2026
- Study start1 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion31 Aug 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Dec 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Protein Absorption and Amino Acid AvailabilityStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by National University of SingaporeThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Triple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- National University of Singapore
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Jung Eun Kim, National University of Singapore
- Investigators
- Jung Eun Kim, Ph.D., R.D., Principal investigator, National University of Singapore, Department of Food Science and Technology
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07791420
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- S38
- Other IDs
- NUS-IRB-2026-444
- Status last verified
- Aug 2026
- First submitted
- 19 Aug 2026
- Last updated
- 1 Sep 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: Electronic copies of the data with identifiable participant information will be kept on NUS OneDrive with access limited only to A/P Kim Jung Eun and her research staff. All data will be de-identified prior to statistical analyses.
Publications
Williamson E, Monteyne AJ, Van der Heijden I, Abdelrahman DR, Murton AJ, Hankamer B, Stephens FB, Wall BT. Ingestion of 'whole cell' or 'split cell' Chlorella sp., Arthrospira sp., and milk protein show divergent postprandial plasma amino acid responses with similar postprandial blood glucose control in humans. Front Nutr. 2024 Nov 14;11:1487778. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1487778. eCollection 2024.
PubMed 39610880
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 1 Sep 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Measurement of Acute Metabolite Changes Following Consumption of Unprocessed and Processed Microalgae: A Randomized Crossover Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07791420
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- S38
- Keywords
- Protein absorption, Amino acid availability, Metabolomics, Processing, Microalgae, Acute
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 20 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- National University of SingaporeUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Sep 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 31 Aug 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Dec 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 28 Aug 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Protein consumption is essential for various physiological processes, with microalgae and plant proteins gaining increasing attention due to their health benefits. To better understand how different protein types and processing methods impact health outcomes, this study aims to analyse the metabolite changes in response to different protein sources.
Detailed description
This study is a randomised crossover trial involving 16 participants. It comprises one screening visit and five test visits, during which participants will consume intervention drinks containing primarily (1) maltodextrin, (2) whey protein isolate, (3) soy protein isolate, (4) bead-milled microalgae, or (5) non-bead-milled microalgae in a randomised order. The study aims to investigate and compare acute postprandial metabolite responses following the consumption of bead-milled and non-bead-milled microalgae, as well as whey and soy protein isolates, in Singaporean adults.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Triple blind (participant, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 5
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Bead-milled microalgae | Experimental | Dietary Supplement: Bead-milled microalgaeConsume a 400 mL drink containing 20 g protein equivalent of bead-milled microalgae |
| Non-bead-milled microalgae | Active comparator | Dietary Supplement: Non-bead-milled microalgaeConsume a 400 mL drink containing 20 g protein equivalent of non-bead-milled microalgae |
| Whey protein isolate | Active comparator | Dietary Supplement: Whey protein isolateConsume a 400 mL drink containing 20 g protein equivalent of whey protein isolate |
| Soy Protein Isolate | Active comparator | Dietary Supplement: Soy protein isolateConsume a 400 mL drink containing 20 g protein equivalent of soy protein isolate |
| Maltodextrin | Placebo comparator | Dietary Supplement: Maltodextrin (Placebo)Consume a 400 mL drink containing maltodextrin matched for the energy content of 20 g protein |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 21 to 60 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- English-literate and able to give informed consent
- Singaporean Chinese Adults aged 21 to 60 (inclusive)
- Body mass index of 18.5 to 23.0 kg/m^2 (inclusive)
- Healthy (Based on results from screening session)
Key exclusion criteria (22 listed)
- Currently participating in another clinical study that involves altering the regular diet and/or involves consuming a dietary supplement or investigated food product as an intervention
- High blood pressure (≥ 140/90 mmHg)
- Underlying health conditions that may affect metabolic functions
- Consuming amino acid or protein supplements, or protein drinks, regularly (i.e., more than three times a week) for the past 3 months, and not willing to discontinue usage 3 months before and during the study duration
- Weight change > 3 kg in the past 3 months
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Bead-milled microalgaeConsume a 400 mL drink containing 20 g protein equivalent of bead-milled microalgae | Dietary supplement | Bead-milled microalgae |
| Non-bead-milled microalgaeConsume a 400 mL drink containing 20 g protein equivalent of non-bead-milled microalgae | Dietary supplement | Non-bead-milled microalgae |
| Whey protein isolateConsume a 400 mL drink containing 20 g protein equivalent of whey protein isolate | Dietary supplement | Whey protein isolate |
| Soy protein isolateConsume a 400 mL drink containing 20 g protein equivalent of soy protein isolate | Dietary supplement | Soy Protein Isolate |
| Maltodextrin (Placebo)Consume a 400 mL drink containing maltodextrin matched for the energy content of 20 g protein | Dietary supplement | Maltodextrin |
Primary outcome
Changes in metabolites found in plasma (plasma metabolomics)
Time frame: Baseline, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 180, 240, 300 minutes
Targeted metabolomics profiling of plasma will be conducted using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Changes in metabolites found in urine (urinary metabolomics)
Time frame: Baseline and 300 minutes
Targeted metabolomics profiling of urine will be conducted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
1 secondary outcome
Appetite
Time frame: Baseline, 60, 120, 180, 240, 300 minutes
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 1 Sep 2026.
- Background: PubMed 39610880Williamson E, Monteyne AJ, Van der Heijden I, Abdelrahman DR, Murton AJ, Hankamer B, Stephens FB, Wall BT. Ingestion of 'whole cell' or 'split cell' Chlorella sp., Arthrospira sp., and milk protein show divergent postprandial plasma amino acid responses with similar postprandial blood glucose control in humans. Front Nutr. 2024 Nov 14;11:1487778. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1487778. eCollection 2024.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. Electronic copies of the data with identifiable participant information will be kept on NUS OneDrive with access limited only to A/P Kim Jung Eun and her research staff. All data will be de-identified prior to statistical analyses.
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Jung Eun Kim, Ph.D., R.D. principal investigator
National University of Singapore, Department of Food Science and Technology
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Bead-milled microalgae, Non-bead-milled microalgae and Whey protein isolate in people with Protein Absorption and Amino Acid Availability and Metabolomics, run by National University of Singapore at 1 site in Singapore.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 22 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 1 Sep 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Singapore. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Marven Ng, B.Sc. ((+65) 8816 9977, ngmarven@u.nus.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Changes in metabolites found in plasma (plasma metabolomics) (time frame: Baseline, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 180, 240, 300 minutes). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07791420, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 1 Sep 2026.