Threonine
What it is and what it does
- Threonine is one of the nine essential amino acids, along with the others listed by MedlinePlus. (MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia (US National Library of Medicine): Amino acids (review date 1/21/2025))
- Threonine, like lysine, does not take part in transamination, so the body cannot make it from its keto acid. (Holecek M. Lysine: Sources, Metabolism, Physiological Importance, and Use as a Supplement. Int J Mol Sci 2025;26(18):8791. doi:10.3390/ijms26188791 (open access, CC BY))
- Like the other amino acids, threonine from food protein is used by the body to make its own proteins. (MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia (US National Library of Medicine): Amino acids (review date 1/21/2025))
- Threonine probably makes up the largest single part of the amino acids lost from the end of the small intestine (ileum) into the large bowel. (WHO/FAO/UNU (2007). Protein and amino acid requirements in human nutrition: report of a joint FAO/WHO/UNU expert consultation. WHO Technical Report Series 935)
Why it matters
- WHO/FAO/UNU say it has been suggested that threonine is the second most limiting amino acid for the body's maintenance needs, after the sulphur amino acids. (WHO/FAO/UNU (2007). Protein and amino acid requirements in human nutrition: report of a joint FAO/WHO/UNU expert consultation. WHO Technical Report Series 935)
General information, not medical advice — for your own needs, ask a doctor or dietitian.
How much is needed
| Who | Amount | What the figure is | Whose figure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adults | 23 mg per g protein | Recommended amino acid pattern (ICMR-NIN 2020) | ICMR-NIN 2020 (as printed in DGI 2024 Table 8.2) |
| Adults (mean requirement) | 15 mg/kg body weight/day | Average requirement | FAO/WHO/UNU 2007 (not an Indian value) |
| Older children, adolescents and adults | 25 mg per g protein | Scoring pattern for protein quality | FAO 2013 (not an Indian value) |
India’s own figure (ICMR-NIN 2020) comes first. Figures from other bodies are shown only where they help, and say whose they are.
Sources: ICMR-NIN. Dietary Guidelines for Indians 2024; WHO/FAO/UNU (2007). Protein and amino acid requirements in human nutrition: report of a joint FAO/WHO/UNU expert consultation. WHO Technical Report Series 935; FAO (2013). Dietary protein quality evaluation in human nutrition: report of an FAO Expert Consultation. FAO Food and Nutrition Paper 92
In every millet and pseudo-cereal, per 100 g raw
| Grain | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Little millet | 4.24 g per 100 g protein | IFCT A016 |
| Kodo millet | 3.89 g per 100 g protein | IFCT A017 |
| Ragi (finger millet) | 3.84 g per 100 g protein | IFCT A010 |
| Bajra (pearl millet) | 3.55 g per 100 g protein | IFCT A003 |
| Quinoa | 3.01 g per 100 g protein | IFCT A009 |
| Rajgira (amaranth) | 2.99 g per 100 g protein | IFCT A002 |
| Jowar (sorghum) | 2.96 g per 100 g protein | IFCT A005 |
| Teff | 0.51 g | USDA FDC 169747 |
| Kuttu (buckwheat) | 0.506 g | USDA FDC 170286 |
| Proso millet | 0.353 g | USDA FDC 169702 |
Each grain has ONE source, named on its page: IFCT = Indian Food Composition Tables 2017 (ICMR-NIN) with its food code; USDA FDC; FAO WAFCT 2019; NIN 2007 via ICAR-IIMR. Values exactly as printed, not converted — tables differ in method, so compare within a source. Published values for the grain, not a laboratory test of our packs.
Absorption and food
- Threonine is present at low concentrations in cereal proteins. (WHO/FAO/UNU (2007). Protein and amino acid requirements in human nutrition: report of a joint FAO/WHO/UNU expert consultation. WHO Technical Report Series 935)
- ICMR-NIN's model vegetarian diet ('My Plate for the Day') provides 35.5 mg threonine per g of protein, more than the 23 mg/g recommendation. (ICMR-NIN. Dietary Guidelines for Indians 2024)
- Compared with the requirement pattern, threonine is present at 191% in milk and soya proteins, 127-157% in wheat, rice and maize proteins, and 143% in the Indian diet. (WHO/FAO/UNU (2007). Protein and amino acid requirements in human nutrition: report of a joint FAO/WHO/UNU expert consultation. WHO Technical Report Series 935)