About
Lentil protein concentrate (LPC) is a processed ingredient derived from lentils (Lens culinaris) or aquatic water lentils (Lemna spp./duckweed) by wet extraction and separation of the protein fraction from fibres, followed by drying; it consists mainly of protein, fibre, fat, and ash. It is used as a plant-based protein source in food products, protein supplements, and meat analogue applications.
Safety summary
Conventional lentil (Lens culinaris) protein concentrate is broadly regarded as safe with no established ADI; no significant genotoxicity, heavy metal, mycotoxin, or allergenicity concerns have been identified in the scientific literature. For the water lentil (Lemna spp.) form, EFSA (2023) concluded it is safe under proposed conditions of use, with no genotoxicity concerns and low allergenic potential. Anti-nutritional factors such as trypsin inhibitors, tannins, and calcium oxalate are present at relatively low concentrations after processing and are not considered a safety concern at typical intake levels.
Regulatory landscape
| Jurisdiction | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India) | Approved | Lentils (masoor) and lentil-derived protein concentrates are recognised as conventional plant protein food ingredients under FSSAI regulations. No specific restriction or maximum level established for Lens culinaris LPC. Water lentil (Lemna spp.) forms are not specifically addressed under current FSSAI regulations.source |
| FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States) | Approved | Conventional lentil protein concentrate from Lens culinaris is used as a standard food ingredient (whole-food derived); no specific GRAS notice or food additive petition found, as it is treated as a conventional food protein ingredient. No maximum use levels are federally mandated.source |
| EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union) | Under_review | Water lentil protein concentrate (Lemna gibba/Lemna minor) assessed as a novel food under Regulation (EU) 2015/2283; EFSA NDA Panel opinion published April 2023 concluded the NF is safe under proposed conditions of use. Authorisation by the European Commission pending. Conventional Lens culinaris LPC is not regulated as a food additive (no E number) and is used as a standard food ingredient.source |
Who should approach with care
Research citations
- 1other. Water lentil protein concentrate from a mixture of Lemna gibba and Lemna minor — Summary of novel food application (EU 2015/2283). food.ec.europa.eu
- 2PubMed. Processing parameters, techno-functional properties and potential food application of lentil protein concentrate as an ingredient for the plant-based market, 2024. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3EFSA. Safety of water lentil protein concentrate from a mixture of Lemna gibba and Lemna minor as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283, 2023. efsa.europa.eu
- 4PubMed. Safety of water lentil protein concentrate from a mixture of Lemna gibba and Lemna minor as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283, 2023. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5PubMed. Nutritional and anti-nutritional properties of lentil (Lens culinaris) protein isolates prepared by pilot-scale processing, 2021. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
