Data dictionary
Every measured property FoodProt records, with its stable key, aliases, recommended units and basis rules, followed by the method fields, the template columns and the record fields. The record fields also ship as the Data Dictionary sheet of every full Excel export.
Canonical registry version 2.3.0: 122 properties in 14 categories. An uploaded row records the registry version it was entered against, and the database keeps every earlier version’s keys valid.
Canonical properties
A record keeps the source's own measurement name; the key is the stable identity its aliases resolve to. Recommended units are suggestions: the exact source unit is always accepted and never converted silently. “Record basis when stated” means values on different bases are different quantities.
Showing 122 of 122 properties.
Protein purity
protein_purity
- Category
- Molecular & physicochemical properties
- Units
- % (w/w), %, g/100 g
- Requirements
- Unit required; record basis when stated
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- protein purity, protein content, purity
- Note
- Report dry basis or wet basis whenever the source states it.
Degree of hydrolysis
degree_of_hydrolysis
- Category
- Molecular & physicochemical properties
- Units
- %
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- degree of hydrolysis, dh
- Note
- None
Degree of denaturation
degree_of_denaturation
- Category
- Molecular & physicochemical properties
- Units
- %
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- degree of denaturation, denaturation degree
- Note
- Record the method and reference state when the source provides them.
Apparent molecular mass (SDS–PAGE)
molecular_weight
- Category
- Molecular & physicochemical properties
- Units
- kDa
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- molecular weight, molecular weight (sds-page), apparent molecular mass, apparent molecular weight, mw, molecular weight distribution, sds-page molecular weight
- Note
- SDS–PAGE reports APPARENT molecular mass under denaturing conditions, not absolute molecular weight.
More details
One measurement per band/component; name the band in the condition field. metric_key stays 'molecular_weight' so stored rows keep their identity.
Surface hydrophobicity
surface_hydrophobicity
- Category
- Molecular & physicochemical properties
- Units
- surface hydrophobicity index, a.u.
- Requirements
- Unit optional; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- surface hydrophobicity, h0, hydrophobicity
- Note
- No universal physical unit — keep the method-reported index/unit.
Free sulfhydryl content (–SH)
free_sulfhydryl_content
- Category
- Molecular & physicochemical properties
- Units
- µmol/g protein, µmol/g, nmol/mg protein
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- free sulfhydryl content, free sulfhydryl group, free sulfhydryl, free sh, sulfhydryl content, sh content, -sh
- Note
- Kept separate from disulfide bond content.
Disulfide bond content (–S–S–)
disulfide_bond_content
- Category
- Molecular & physicochemical properties
- Units
- µmol/g protein, µmol/g
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- disulfide bond content, disulfide bond, disulfide bonds, ss bond, s-s bond, disulphide bond
- Note
- None
Particle size
particle_size
- Category
- Molecular & physicochemical properties
- Units
- nm, µm
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- particle size, mean diameter, droplet size, d10, d50, d90, d[3,2], d[4,3], z-average, z average
- Note
- Record the size statistic (D10, D50, D90, D[3,2], D[4,3], Z-average, ...) in the condition/method fields.
Bulk density
bulk_density
- Category
- Molecular & physicochemical properties
- Units
- g/mL, kg/m³, g/cm³
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- bulk density, loose bulk density, tapped density
- Note
- None
Carr index
carr_index
- Category
- Molecular & physicochemical properties
- Units
- %
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- carr index, carr's index, compressibility index
- Note
- Flowability measure derived from bulk/tapped density.
Hausner ratio
hausner_ratio
- Category
- Molecular & physicochemical properties
- Units
- dimensionless
- Requirements
- Unit optional; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- hausner ratio
- Note
- None
Angle of repose
angle_of_repose
- Category
- Molecular & physicochemical properties
- Units
- °
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- angle of repose, repose angle
- Note
- None
Flow rate (powder)
powder_flow_rate
- Category
- Molecular & physicochemical properties
- Units
- g/s
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- powder flow rate, flow rate
- Note
- None
Flowability
flowability
- Category
- Molecular & physicochemical properties
- Units
- Method-reported
- Requirements
- Unit optional; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- flowability
- Note
- No universal unit.
More details
Prefer the specific measurement (Carr index, Hausner ratio, angle of repose, flow rate); when the source only says Flowability, preserve the exact method and unit.
Amino acid composition
amino_acid_composition
- Category
- Molecular & physicochemical properties
- Units
- g/100 g protein, mg/g protein, mol%
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- amino acid composition, amino acid profile, amino acid content
- Note
- Multi-analyte data: one measurement row per amino acid, with the amino acid named in the condition field.
More details
Never store a whole profile as one scalar.
Percentage of hydrophobic amino acids
hydrophobic_amino_acids_percent
- Category
- Molecular & physicochemical properties
- Units
- %
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- percentage of hydrophobic amino acids, hydrophobic amino acids, hydrophobic aa
- Note
- None
Percentage of hydrophilic amino acids
hydrophilic_amino_acids_percent
- Category
- Molecular & physicochemical properties
- Units
- %
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- percentage of hydrophilic amino acids, hydrophilic amino acids, hydrophilic aa
- Note
- None
Total essential amino acids
essential_amino_acids_total
- Category
- Molecular & physicochemical properties
- Units
- g/100 g protein, mg/g protein, g/100 g sample, %
- Requirements
- Unit required; record basis when stated
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- total essential amino acids, essential amino acids total, essential amino acids, eaa total, sum of essential amino acids
- Note
- Record the basis (protein, sample, dry or wet) exactly as reported.
More details
Which amino acids count as essential must be stated in the method conditions; bases are never combined.
Total non-essential amino acids
nonessential_amino_acids_total
- Category
- Molecular & physicochemical properties
- Units
- g/100 g protein, mg/g protein, g/100 g sample, %
- Requirements
- Unit required; record basis when stated
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- total non-essential amino acids, non-essential amino acids total, nonessential amino acids, neaa total
- Note
- Same basis rule as the essential total. Never derive one total from the other unless the source did.
Total amino acids
total_amino_acids
- Category
- Molecular & physicochemical properties
- Units
- g/100 g protein, mg/g protein, g/100 g sample, µmol/g
- Requirements
- Unit required; record basis when stated
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- total amino acids, total amino acid content, sum of amino acids, taa
- Note
- State whether tryptophan and cysteine/methionine were determined separately (acid hydrolysis destroys or damages them) in the method
More details
conditions.
Free amino acid content
free_amino_acid_content
- Category
- Molecular & physicochemical properties
- Units
- mg/g protein, mg/g sample, µmol/g, g/100 g sample
- Requirements
- Unit required; record basis when stated
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- free amino acid content, free amino acids, free amino acid, faa
- Note
- Free (non-hydrolysed) amino acids only.
More details
Never pooled with protein-bound values; the extraction and derivatisation route belongs in the method conditions.
Protein-bound amino acid content
protein_bound_amino_acid_content
- Category
- Molecular & physicochemical properties
- Units
- g/100 g protein, mg/g protein, g/100 g sample
- Requirements
- Unit required; record basis when stated
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- protein-bound amino acid content, protein bound amino acids, bound amino acids, hydrolysed amino acids
- Note
- After hydrolysis, one row per amino acid (analyte in the condition field).
More details
Record hydrolysis conditions, derivatisation, platform, column and standards.
Amino acid score
amino_acid_score
- Category
- Molecular & physicochemical properties
- Units
- dimensionless, %
- Requirements
- Unit optional; basis not required
- Context
- reference_pattern, calculation
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- amino acid score, aas, chemical score, limiting amino acid score
- Note
- Only meaningful with the reference amino-acid pattern and the calculation stated (method conditions: equation, numerator, denominator,
More details
reference pattern). One row per amino acid or the limiting amino acid, as reported.
Molecular mass (absolute, e.g. mass spectrometry or sequence)
absolute_molecular_mass
- Category
- Molecular & physicochemical properties
- Units
- kDa, Da, g/mol
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- absolute molecular mass, molecular mass (mass spectrometry), molecular mass by ms, sequence molecular mass, theoretical molecular mass
- Note
- Distinct from the apparent molecular mass read from an SDS-PAGE gel (molecular_weight), which is a relative estimate. Never merge the two.
Nitrogen content
nitrogen_content
- Category
- Molecular & physicochemical properties
- Units
- % (w/w), g/100 g, mg/g
- Requirements
- Unit required; record basis when stated
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- nitrogen content, total nitrogen, nitrogen (kjeldahl), nitrogen (dumas), n content
- Note
- The measured quantity behind a protein content.
More details
Record the nitrogen-to-protein conversion factor in the method conditions when a protein content was derived from it.
Moisture content
moisture_content
- Category
- Molecular & physicochemical properties
- Units
- % (w/w), g/100 g
- Requirements
- Unit required; record basis when stated
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- moisture content, moisture, water content
- Note
- State the drying method, temperature and time in the method conditions; the basis (wet or dry) as reported.
Ash content
ash_content
- Category
- Molecular & physicochemical properties
- Units
- % (w/w), g/100 g
- Requirements
- Unit required; record basis when stated
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- ash content, ash, total ash, mineral content
- Note
- State the ashing temperature and time in the method conditions; the basis as reported.
Alpha-helix content
alpha_helix_content
- Category
- Molecular & physicochemical properties
- Units
- %
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- alpha-helix content, alpha helix content, alpha-helix, alpha helix, α-helix
- Note
- None
Beta-sheet content
beta_sheet_content
- Category
- Molecular & physicochemical properties
- Units
- %
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- beta-sheet content, beta sheet content, beta-sheet, beta sheet, β-sheet
- Note
- None
Isoelectric point (pI)
isoelectric_point
- Category
- Molecular & physicochemical properties
- Units
- Method-reported
- Requirements
- Unit optional; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- isoelectric point, pi value, isoelectric ph
- Note
- Unitless numerical pH value — no physical unit is appended.
Extraction yield
extraction_yield
- Category
- Molecular & physicochemical properties
- Units
- %, g/100 g starting material
- Requirements
- Unit required; record basis when stated
- Context
- equation, numerator_definition, denominator_definition, starting_material_basis
- Dimension
- Dimensionless
- Aliases
- extraction yield, isolate yield, fractionation yield, product yield
- Note
- Mass of recovered product per mass of starting material, as the source defines it.
More details
NOT protein recovery (which is protein-per-protein) and NOT protein purity (which is protein content of the product). Record the equation, both bases and wet/dry basis; a percentage on one basis is never compared with a percentage on another.
Protein recovery
protein_recovery
- Category
- Molecular & physicochemical properties
- Units
- %, g protein/100 g protein in starting material
- Requirements
- Unit required; record basis when stated
- Context
- equation, numerator_definition, denominator_definition, starting_material_basis
- Dimension
- Dimensionless
- Aliases
- protein recovery, protein yield, nitrogen recovery, protein extraction efficiency
- Note
- Protein recovered as a share of the protein present in the starting material.
More details
Depends on the protein determination and the nitrogen-to-protein factor used for BOTH terms; record them. Distinct from extraction yield and from protein purity.
Polydispersity index (PDI)
polydispersity_index
- Category
- Molecular & physicochemical properties
- Units
- dimensionless
- Requirements
- Unit optional; basis not required
- Context
- measurement_medium, measurement_temperature
- Dimension
- Dimensionless; never a percentage
- Aliases
- polydispersity index, polydispersity
- Note
- Dimensionless width descriptor from a cumulants fit.
More details
It is NOT a percentage and is never multiplied by 100, and it is not interchangeable with Z-average, D50 or a span. Record the instrument's distribution basis and the medium.
Hardness
hardness
- Category
- Texture Profile Analysis, TPA
- Units
- N, gf
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Force
- Aliases
- hardness, tpa hardness
- Note
- Peak force of the first TPA compression. Firmness, gel strength, and gel hardness are separate metrics — never mapped onto Hardness.
Firmness
firmness
- Category
- Texture Profile Analysis, TPA
- Units
- N, gf, Pa, kPa
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- probe_geometry, contact_area_or_sample_dimensions, test_speed
- Dimension
- Force or Stress (force per area)
- Aliases
- firmness
- Note
- Reported either as the peak FORCE the probe recorded (N, gf) or, when the load was divided by the contact area, as a STRESS (Pa, kPa).
More details
Both are legitimate and FoodProt stores whichever the source reported, but they are different quantities: a force value and a stress value are never pooled, compared or derived from one another, because converting between them needs the probe geometry and contact area the source rarely states.
Cohesiveness
cohesiveness
- Category
- Texture Profile Analysis, TPA
- Units
- dimensionless
- Requirements
- Unit optional; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- cohesiveness, cohesive index
- Note
- None
Springiness
springiness
- Category
- Texture Profile Analysis, TPA
- Units
- dimensionless, %, mm
- Requirements
- Unit optional; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- springiness, elasticity
- Note
- Ratio, %, or distance (mm) depending on the protocol.
Gumminess
gumminess
- Category
- Texture Profile Analysis, TPA
- Units
- N, gf
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Force
- Aliases
- gumminess
- Note
- Force in N or gf.
More details
A source-reported plain "g" is a mass label printed by texture instruments for force: kept verbatim, flagged for review, never converted.
Chewiness
chewiness
- Category
- Texture Profile Analysis, TPA
- Units
- N, gf, N·mm, mJ
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- springiness_convention, tpa_cycle_settings
- Dimension
- Work (force × distance) or Force
- Aliases
- chewiness
- Note
- TPA chewiness is gumminess x springiness.
More details
When springiness was recorded as a RATIO the product is a force (N, gf); when springiness was recorded as a DISTANCE the product is a work (N·mm, mJ). Both conventions appear in the literature, so FoodProt stores the reported unit and requires the springiness convention to be stated. Values computed under different conventions are different quantities and are never pooled.
Adhesiveness
adhesiveness
- Category
- Texture Profile Analysis, TPA
- Units
- N·s, gf·s, N·mm, mJ
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- integration_basis, tpa_cycle_settings
- Dimension
- Impulse (force × time) or Work (force × distance)
- Aliases
- adhesiveness, stickiness
- Note
- The negative area under the withdrawal curve.
More details
Instruments integrate against TIME (N·s, gf·s) or against DISTANCE (N·mm, mJ); these are different physical quantities - an impulse and a work - and FoodProt never treats one as the other, converts between them, or pools them. The integration basis must be recorded. A source-reported "g·s" carries the same mass-versus-force ambiguity as a plain "g": it is kept verbatim and flagged, never converted.
Resilience
resilience
- Category
- Texture Profile Analysis, TPA
- Units
- dimensionless, %
- Requirements
- Unit optional; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- resilience
- Note
- None
Fracturability
fracturability
- Category
- Texture Profile Analysis, TPA
- Units
- N, gf
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Force
- Aliases
- fracturability, brittleness
- Note
- Force in N or gf.
More details
A source-reported plain "g" is a mass label printed by texture instruments for force: kept verbatim, flagged for review, never converted.
Gel strength
gel_strength
- Category
- Texture/mechanical gel property
- Units
- N, gf, Pa, kPa
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- probe_geometry, contact_area_or_sample_dimensions, test_speed
- Dimension
- Force or Stress (force per area)
- Aliases
- gel strength
- Note
- Reported either as a FORCE (N, gf) or, when the load was divided by the contact area, as a STRESS (Pa, kPa).
More details
FoodProt stores whichever the source reported and never derives one from the other: that needs the sample geometry and contact area the source rarely states. A force value and a stress value are never pooled or compared. A source-reported plain "g" is a mass label that texture instruments print for force - kept verbatim, flagged for review, never converted to gf or N.
Gel firmness
gel_firmness
- Category
- Texture/mechanical gel property
- Units
- N, gf, Pa, kPa
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- probe_geometry, contact_area_or_sample_dimensions, test_speed
- Dimension
- Force or Stress (force per area)
- Aliases
- gel firmness
- Note
- Reported either as a FORCE (N, gf) or, when the load was divided by the contact area, as a STRESS (Pa, kPa).
More details
FoodProt stores whichever the source reported and never derives one from the other: that needs the sample geometry and contact area the source rarely states. A force value and a stress value are never pooled or compared. A source-reported plain "g" is a mass label that texture instruments print for force - kept verbatim, flagged for review, never converted to gf or N.
Gel hardness
gel_hardness
- Category
- Texture/mechanical gel property
- Units
- N, gf
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Force
- Aliases
- gel hardness
- Note
- Force in N or gf.
More details
A source-reported plain "g" is a mass label printed by texture instruments for force: kept verbatim, flagged for review, never converted.
Rupture strength
rupture_strength
- Category
- Texture/mechanical gel property
- Units
- N, gf, Pa, kPa
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- probe_geometry, contact_area_or_sample_dimensions, test_speed
- Dimension
- Force or Stress (force per area)
- Aliases
- rupture strength, rupture force, fracture force
- Note
- Reported either as the FORCE at rupture (N, gf) or as the rupture STRESS (Pa, kPa) when the load was divided by the cross-sectional area.
More details
FoodProt stores whichever the source reported; the two are never pooled or derived from one another without the geometry the source would have to state.
Breaking force
breaking_force
- Category
- Texture/mechanical gel property
- Units
- N, gf
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Force
- Aliases
- breaking force, break force
- Note
- Force in N or gf.
More details
A source-reported plain "g" is a mass label printed by texture instruments for force: kept verbatim, flagged for review, never converted.
Extension at failure (distance)
extension_at_failure
- Category
- Texture/mechanical gel property
- Units
- mm, cm
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- starting_distance, endpoint_criterion, extension_speed
- Dimension
- Length
- Aliases
- extension at failure, distance at failure, extension distance, stretch distance
- Note
- Absolute distance travelled before the defined endpoint.
More details
Requires the starting grip/probe distance and the break criterion to be interpretable.
Extension at break (relative)
extension_at_break_percent
- Category
- Texture/mechanical gel property
- Units
- %
- Requirements
- Unit required; record basis when stated
- Context
- starting_distance, endpoint_criterion
- Dimension
- Dimensionless
- Aliases
- extension at break, elongation at break, relative extension, strain at break
- Note
- Extension expressed relative to a reference length; only meaningful with that reference length stated.
More details
Never derived from an absolute distance without it.
Peak extension force
peak_extension_force
- Category
- Texture/mechanical gel property
- Units
- N, gf
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- extension_speed, sample_dimensions
- Dimension
- Force
- Aliases
- peak extension force, maximum extension force, stretch force, tensile peak force
- Note
- Maximum force recorded during extension.
More details
Force in N or gf; a plain "g" is a source label kept verbatim, flagged for review and never converted.
Stretch score (ordinal)
stretch_score
- Category
- Texture/mechanical gel property
- Units
- dimensionless
- Requirements
- Unit optional; basis not required
- Context
- rating_scale
- Dimension
- Dimensionless
- Aliases
- stretch score, stretchability score, stretch rating
- Note
- Ordinal or categorical rating.
More details
Uninterpretable without the rating scale (range, anchors, number of assessors); ordinal scores are not averaged as if they were continuous measurements.
Work of extension (force x distance)
work_of_extension
- Category
- Texture/mechanical gel property
- Units
- mJ, J, N·mm
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- equation, extension_speed
- Dimension
- Work (force × distance)
- Aliases
- work of extension, extension work, tensile work, energy of extension
- Note
- Area under a force-DISTANCE curve.
More details
Only a force-distance integral is mechanical work; a force-time area is a different quantity (see the force-time integral metric) and the two are never pooled or relabelled.
Force-time integral (impulse)
force_time_integral
- Category
- Texture/mechanical gel property
- Units
- N·s, gf·s
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- equation
- Dimension
- Impulse (force × time)
- Aliases
- force time integral, force-time area, area under the force-time curve, impulse
- Note
- Area under a force-TIME curve.
More details
Sources sometimes label this "work"; FoodProt preserves the original label and unit, marks the record dimensionally ambiguous and holds it for review rather than converting it to mechanical work.
Water holding capacity
water_holding_capacity
- Category
- Water holding and water binding
- Units
- %, g water/g sample, g water/g protein, g/g
- Requirements
- Unit required; record basis when stated
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- water holding capacity, water-holding capacity, whc, water retention, water retention capacity
- Note
- WHC is legitimately reported in more than one convention (%, g water/g sample, g water/g protein). Values are never force-converted to %.
Water absorption capacity
water_absorption_capacity
- Category
- Water holding and water binding
- Units
- g water/g sample, g water/g protein, %, g/g
- Requirements
- Unit required; record basis when stated
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- water absorption capacity, water absorption, wac
- Note
- None
Water binding capacity
water_binding_capacity
- Category
- Water holding and water binding
- Units
- g water/g sample, g water/g protein, %
- Requirements
- Unit required; record basis when stated
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- water binding capacity, water binding, wbc
- Note
- None
Swelling capacity
swelling_capacity
- Category
- Water holding and water binding
- Units
- mL/g, g/g, %
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- swelling capacity, swelling, swelling power, swelling index
- Note
- None
Hydration capacity
hydration_capacity
- Category
- Water holding and water binding
- Units
- g water/g sample, g water/g protein, %, g/g
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- hydration capacity
- Note
- None
Oil holding capacity
oil_holding_capacity
- Category
- Oil holding and oil binding
- Units
- g oil/g sample, g oil/g protein, mL oil/g sample, %, g/g
- Requirements
- Unit required; record basis when stated
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- oil holding capacity, oil holding, ohc
- Note
- None
Oil absorption capacity
oil_absorption_capacity
- Category
- Oil holding and oil binding
- Units
- g oil/g sample, g oil/g protein, mL oil/g sample, %, g/g
- Requirements
- Unit required; record basis when stated
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- oil absorption capacity, oil absorption, oac
- Note
- None
Oil binding capacity
oil_binding_capacity
- Category
- Oil holding and oil binding
- Units
- g oil/g sample, g oil/g protein, %
- Requirements
- Unit required; record basis when stated
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- oil binding capacity, oil binding, obc
- Note
- None
Fat absorption capacity
fat_absorption_capacity
- Category
- Oil holding and oil binding
- Units
- g oil/g sample, g oil/g protein, %, g/g
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- fat absorption capacity, fat absorption, fac
- Note
- None
Emulsifying activity
emulsifying_activity
- Category
- Emulsifying properties
- Units
- %
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- emulsifying activity, emulsion activity, ea
- Note
- None
Emulsifying activity index, EAI
emulsifying_activity_index
- Category
- Emulsifying properties
- Units
- m²/g
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- emulsifying activity index, emulsification activity index, eai
- Note
- None
Emulsifying capacity
emulsifying_capacity
- Category
- Emulsifying properties
- Units
- mL oil/g protein, g oil/g protein, %
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- emulsifying capacity, emulsification capacity, ec
- Note
- Method-dependent unit — record exactly what the source reports.
Emulsion stability
emulsion_stability
- Category
- Emulsifying properties
- Units
- %
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- time
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- emulsion stability, emulsifying stability, es
- Note
- None
Emulsion stability index, ESI
emulsion_stability_index
- Category
- Emulsifying properties
- Units
- min
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- emulsion stability index, emulsification stability index, esi
- Note
- None
Creaming index
creaming_index
- Category
- Emulsifying properties
- Units
- %
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- time
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- creaming index
- Note
- None
Multiple-light-scattering stability index
multiple_light_scattering_stability_index
- Category
- Emulsifying properties
- Units
- dimensionless
- Requirements
- Unit optional; basis not required
- Context
- time_point, sample_height_region, signal_basis, algorithm_version
- Dimension
- Dimensionless; never a percentage
- Aliases
- multiple light scattering stability index, dispersion stability index, backscattering stability index, tsi
- Note
- Instrument-computed index from transmission or backscattering profiles.
More details
Its value depends on the selected sample-height region, the signal basis and the software algorithm, so it is never pooled with percent emulsion stability, an emulsion stability index in minutes, a creaming index or a visual phase-separation percentage. Store the time point and, where available, the full time series.
Foaming capacity
foaming_capacity
- Category
- Foaming properties
- Units
- %
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- foaming capacity, foam capacity, fc
- Note
- None
Foaming ability
foaming_ability
- Category
- Foaming properties
- Units
- %
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- foaming ability, foamability
- Note
- None
Foam stability
foam_stability
- Category
- Foaming properties
- Units
- %
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- time
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- foam stability, foaming stability, fs
- Note
- “Foam stability” and “Foaming stability” are naming aliases of one canonical metric, not two variables.
More details
Capture the time point whenever available.
Foam expansion
foam_expansion
- Category
- Foaming properties
- Units
- %
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- foam expansion
- Note
- None
Foam overrun
foam_overrun
- Category
- Foaming properties
- Units
- %
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- foam overrun, overrun
- Note
- None
Protein solubility
protein_solubility
- Category
- Solubility
- Units
- %
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- protein solubility, solubility
- Note
- None
Nitrogen solubility index
nitrogen_solubility_index
- Category
- Solubility
- Units
- %
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- nitrogen solubility index, nsi
- Note
- None
Protein dispersibility index
protein_dispersibility_index
- Category
- Solubility
- Units
- %
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- protein dispersibility index
- Note
- None
Soluble protein content
soluble_protein_content
- Category
- Solubility
- Units
- mg/mL, g/L, %
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- soluble protein content, soluble protein
- Note
- None
Solubility profile
solubility_profile
- Category
- Solubility
- Units
- %
- Requirements
- Unit optional; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- solubility profile, solubility curve
- Note
- A derived series/chart built from individual solubility measurements across pH or conditions — never a single scalar named “Solubility
More details
profile”.
Least gelation concentration
least_gelation_concentration
- Category
- Gelation
- Units
- % w/v, % w/w, %
- Requirements
- Unit required; record basis when stated
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- least gelation concentration, minimum gelation concentration, lgc, mgc
- Note
- “Least” and “minimum” gelation concentration are aliases of the same test. Basis (w/v vs w/w) is mandatory whenever the source provides it.
Critical gel concentration
critical_gel_concentration
- Category
- Gelation
- Units
- % w/v, % w/w, %
- Requirements
- Unit required; record basis when stated
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- critical gel concentration, critical gelation concentration
- Note
- Kept distinct from least/minimum gelation concentration (rheologically defined).
Gel-forming ability
gel_forming_ability
- Category
- Gelation
- Units
- Method-reported
- Requirements
- Unit optional; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- gel-forming ability, gel forming ability
- Note
- Sources report categorical grades, scores, or concentrations — the source-reported output is preserved, never forced to %.
Gelling capacity
gelling_capacity
- Category
- Gelation
- Units
- Method-reported
- Requirements
- Unit optional; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- gelling capacity
- Note
- Method-specific output — preserve the source-reported form.
Gelation temperature
gelation_temperature
- Category
- Gelation
- Units
- °C
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- gelation temperature, tgel
- Note
- None
Gelation time
gelation_time
- Category
- Gelation
- Units
- min, s
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- gelation time, gel time
- Note
- None
Gel point
gel_point
- Category
- Gelation
- Units
- °C, min
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- gel point, crossover point
- Note
- None
Apparent viscosity
apparent_viscosity
- Category
- Viscosity and flow behavior
- Units
- Pa·s, mPa·s, cP
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- shear_rate, temperature
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- apparent viscosity, viscosity, eta, η, eta app
- Note
- Viscosity without shear rate and temperature context has limited comparability.
Dynamic viscosity
dynamic_viscosity
- Category
- Viscosity and flow behavior
- Units
- Pa·s, mPa·s, cP
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- temperature
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- dynamic viscosity
- Note
- None
Shear viscosity
shear_viscosity
- Category
- Viscosity and flow behavior
- Units
- Pa·s, mPa·s
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- shear_rate
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- shear viscosity
- Note
- None
Shear stress
shear_stress
- Category
- Viscosity and flow behavior
- Units
- Pa
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- shear stress
- Note
- None
Shear rate
shear_rate
- Category
- Viscosity and flow behavior
- Units
- s⁻¹
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- shear rate
- Note
- None
Consistency coefficient, K
consistency_coefficient_k
- Category
- Viscosity and flow behavior
- Units
- Pa·sⁿ
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- consistency coefficient, consistency index, k value, power-law k
- Note
- None
Flow behavior index, n
flow_behavior_index_n
- Category
- Viscosity and flow behavior
- Units
- dimensionless
- Requirements
- Unit optional; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- flow behavior index, flow behaviour index, n value, power-law n
- Note
- None
Yield stress
yield_stress
- Category
- Viscosity and flow behavior
- Units
- Pa
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- yield stress
- Note
- None
Storage modulus, G′
storage_modulus
- Category
- Rheological properties
- Units
- Pa, kPa
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- frequency, strain, temperature
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- storage modulus, g prime, elastic modulus
- Note
- None
Loss modulus, G″
loss_modulus
- Category
- Rheological properties
- Units
- Pa, kPa
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- frequency, strain, temperature
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- loss modulus, g double prime, viscous modulus
- Note
- None
Loss tangent, tan δ
tan_delta
- Category
- Rheological properties
- Units
- dimensionless
- Requirements
- Unit optional; basis not required
- Context
- frequency
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- tan delta, tan δ, loss tangent
- Note
- None
Complex modulus, G*
complex_modulus
- Category
- Rheological properties
- Units
- Pa, kPa
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- complex modulus, g*, g star
- Note
- None
Complex viscosity
complex_viscosity
- Category
- Rheological properties
- Units
- Pa·s
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- complex viscosity
- Note
- None
Critical strain
critical_strain
- Category
- Rheological properties
- Units
- %
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- critical strain
- Note
- Article-reported only — end of the linear viscoelastic region.
Linear viscoelastic region
linear_viscoelastic_region
- Category
- Rheological properties
- Units
- %, Pa
- Requirements
- Unit optional; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- linear viscoelastic region, lvr
- Note
- None
Frequency sweep
frequency_sweep
- Category
- Rheological properties
- Units
- Pa
- Requirements
- Unit optional; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- frequency sweep
- Note
- None
Temperature sweep
temperature_sweep
- Category
- Rheological properties
- Units
- Pa
- Requirements
- Unit optional; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- temperature sweep
- Note
- None
Denaturation temperature, Td
denaturation_temperature
- Category
- Thermal properties
- Units
- °C
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- denaturation temperature, td, thermal denaturation temperature
- Note
- None
Onset temperature
onset_temperature
- Category
- Thermal properties
- Units
- °C
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- onset temperature, tonset, t onset
- Note
- None
Peak temperature
peak_temperature
- Category
- Thermal properties
- Units
- °C
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- peak temperature, tpeak, t peak
- Note
- Kept separate from denaturation temperature — a source may report both.
Endset temperature
endset_temperature
- Category
- Thermal properties
- Units
- °C
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- endset temperature, tendset, t endset, conclusion temperature
- Note
- None
Enthalpy, ΔH
enthalpy
- Category
- Thermal properties
- Units
- J/g sample, J/g protein, J/g
- Requirements
- Unit required; record basis when stated
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- enthalpy, delta h, δh, deltah, denaturation enthalpy
- Note
- Basis matters: J/g sample and J/g protein are different quantities.
Glass transition temperature
glass_transition_temperature
- Category
- Thermal properties
- Units
- °C
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- glass transition temperature, tg
- Note
- None
Thermal stability
thermal_stability
- Category
- Thermal properties
- Units
- Method-reported
- Requirements
- Unit optional; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- thermal stability
- Note
- No universal unit. The exact method, endpoint, and reported unit are stored — never forced to °C or %.
Zeta potential
zeta_potential
- Category
- Characterization data
- Units
- mV
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- zeta potential, zeta
- Note
- None
Secondary structure
secondary_structure
- Category
- Characterization data
- Units
- %
- Requirements
- Unit optional; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- secondary structure
- Note
- Prefer the individual structure metrics (alpha-helix, beta-sheet, beta-turn, random coil) when the source resolves them.
Beta-turn content
beta_turn_content
- Category
- Characterization data
- Units
- %
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- beta-turn, beta turn, beta-turn content
- Note
- None
Random coil content
random_coil_content
- Category
- Characterization data
- Units
- %
- Requirements
- Unit required; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- random coil, random coil content
- Note
- None
FTIR spectra
ftir_spectra
- Category
- Characterization data
- Units
- cm⁻¹
- Requirements
- Unit optional; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- ftir spectra, ftir
- Note
- None
Intrinsic fluorescence
intrinsic_fluorescence
- Category
- Characterization data
- Units
- a.u.
- Requirements
- Unit optional; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- intrinsic fluorescence
- Note
- None
SDS-PAGE band profile
sds_page_band_profile
- Category
- Characterization data
- Units
- kDa
- Requirements
- Unit optional; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- sds-page band profile, sds page, sds-page
- Note
- None
SE-HPLC profile
se_hplc_profile
- Category
- Characterization data
- Units
- %
- Requirements
- Unit optional; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- se-hplc profile, se hplc, se-hplc
- Note
- None
Microstructure
microstructure
- Category
- Characterization data
- Units
- Method-reported
- Requirements
- Unit optional; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- microstructure
- Note
- None
SEM image
sem_image
- Category
- Characterization data
- Units
- Method-reported
- Requirements
- Unit optional; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- sem image, sem
- Note
- None
Confocal microscopy image
confocal_microscopy_image
- Category
- Characterization data
- Units
- Method-reported
- Requirements
- Unit optional; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- confocal microscopy image, clsm
- Note
- None
LF-NMR water distribution
lf_nmr_water_distribution
- Category
- Characterization data
- Units
- ms, %
- Requirements
- Unit optional; basis not required
- Context
- None required
- Dimension
- Not declared
- Aliases
- lf-nmr water distribution, lf nmr, lf-nmr
- Note
- None
Units and bases
A unit and a basis are stored exactly as the source reports them; FoodProt never converts a value silently. Dry basis, wet basis, sample basis and protein basis are different quantities and are never combined; % w/v is not % w/w; per g sample is not per g protein; a texture-analyser reading in ‘g’ is never silently read as SI force; free and protein-bound amino acids are never pooled. Type the unit and basis as the source prints them. Where a form or an earlier template offers a list and the source wording is not in it, choose ‘Other / custom unit’ or ‘Other / custom basis’ and type the exact wording; the original reported value and unit are kept verbatim for provenance.
Method families
Every method record is assigned to one controlled family. The family is a grouping for comparison, not a procedure: the conditions below record what a laboratory or source actually did. This model is original to FoodProt; no organisation's procedures, codes or wording are reproduced, and no instrument brand is required or recommended.
| Family key | Family | Scope and the conditions that matter |
|---|---|---|
| extraction_fractionation | Aqueous extraction and fractionation | Isolation of protein from a plant material by aqueous routes, including precipitation-based (e.g. isoelectric), micellization-based and membrane-based fractionation. Conditions: solubilisation pH and base, temperature, time, mixing, centrifugation, precipitation pH, washing and drying. |
| protein_determination | Nitrogen / protein determination | Total nitrogen or protein content by combustion, digestion, dye-binding or spectrophotometric assays. Record the nitrogen-to-protein conversion factor whenever a factor was applied. |
| moisture_ash | Moisture and ash | Gravimetric moisture and ash determination. Record drying or ashing temperature and time. |
| sds_page | SDS-PAGE protein fingerprinting | Electrophoretic separation of polypeptides. Apparent molecular mass from a gel is NOT an absolute molecular weight. |
| dsc | Differential scanning calorimetry | Thermal transitions (onset, peak, endset temperatures; enthalpy). Record sample concentration and basis, pan type, heating rate and reference. |
| particle_size | Particle-size analysis | Dynamic or static light scattering, laser diffraction or microscopy. Record the statistic and distribution basis (e.g. z-average, D50, volume vs number). |
| emulsifying | Emulsifying activity, capacity and stability | Emulsion formation and stability. Emulsifying activity index results depend on the equation used; record it. |
| foaming | Foaming capacity and stability | Foam formation and decay. Record the whipping/sparging method, volume basis and time points. |
| tpa_mechanical | Texture profile analysis and gel / mechanical strength | Compression, penetration and two-cycle TPA. Record probe, strain or distance, speeds, trigger force, sample geometry and temperature. |
| stretch_extensibility | Stretch and extensibility tests | Tensile or extension tests on gels, films or textured products. Record grip distance, speed and sample dimensions. |
| solubility | Protein solubility | Soluble fraction after dispersion and separation. Results depend on pH, ionic strength, centrifugation and the protein assay used. |
| water_oil_holding | Water and oil holding / binding | Retention of water or oil per unit sample or protein. Definitions differ (holding vs absorption vs binding); record the exact procedure and basis. |
| gelation_concentration | Gelation concentration | Least, minimum or critical concentration at which a self-supporting gel forms. Record heating conditions and the tube-inversion or rheological criterion. |
| viscosity_flow | Viscosity and flow behaviour | Rotational or capillary flow measurements. Record geometry, shear rate or range, temperature and the flow model fitted, if any. |
| oscillatory_rheology | Oscillatory rheology | Storage and loss moduli, loss tangent, sweeps. Record geometry, gap, strain or stress amplitude, frequency and the linear viscoelastic check. |
| amino_acid_structure | Amino-acid and structural composition | Amino-acid analysis, secondary structure, surface hydrophobicity, sulfhydryl and disulfide content. Record hydrolysis, derivatisation, platform, column, standards and detection. |
Method condition fields
Stored per measurement on the method record. The v5 template carries 7 of them on every row (method_method_family_key, method_method_reference, method_instrument_category, method_instrument_model, method_measurement_temperature_c, method_raw_or_derived, method_method_notes); the Methods sheet of a v4 or v3 workbook carries them as method_<field> columns, and any spreadsheet column can be mapped to one. A blank means ‘not reported’; nothing is inferred and no default is treated as a universal condition. Centrifugation is recorded as relative centrifugal force (×g) when reported; when only RPM is reported, the RPM and the rotor are recorded and no conversion is made.
Identity and provenance
| Field | Label | Type | Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| method_family_key | Method family | text (as reported) | FoodProt method family key (dropdown). |
| reported_method_name | Original reported method name | text (as reported) | The method name exactly as the source words it. |
| normalized_method_label | FoodProt normalized method label | text (as reported) | Controlled label assigned during review; never replaces the reported name. |
| protocol_title | Protocol title | text (as reported) | Title of a FoodProt protocol record this measurement followed, if any. |
| protocol_version | Protocol version | text (as reported) | Version of that protocol. |
| validation_status | Validation status | text (as reported) | Controlled status (dropdown). Only reviewers/admins may promote a protocol. |
| property_analyte | Property / analyte | text (as reported) | The property or analyte the method determines. |
| applicable_material | Applicable material / sample type | text (as reported) | Material types the method was applied to. |
| method_category | Method category (free text, as reported) | text (as reported) | Legacy free-text category kept for existing records; the controlled family is method_family_key. |
| method_reference | Method source citation or laboratory provenance | text (as reported) | Where the method description comes from (citation, or laboratory and date). |
| analyst | Analyst | text (as reported) | Who performed the measurement, as reported (optional). |
| method_reviewer | Reviewer | text (as reported) | Who reviewed the method record (optional). |
| deviation_notes | Deviation notes | text (as reported) | Any deviation from the cited protocol. |
Sample preparation
| Field | Label | Type | Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| protein_source_species | Protein source and species | text (as reported) | Botanical source and species (e.g. yellow pea, Pisum sativum). |
| cultivar_variety | Cultivar / variety | text (as reported) | When reported. |
| ingredient_form | Ingredient form | text (as reported) | Flour, concentrate, isolate, hydrolysate, textured product… |
| extraction_route | Extraction / fractionation route | text (as reported) | Precipitation-based, micellization-based, membrane-based, dry fractionation, other, or not reported. |
| defatting | Defatting | text (as reported) | Solvent and conditions, or none. |
| protein_concentration_value | Protein concentration | number | Concentration of the test system. |
| protein_concentration_unit | Protein concentration unit | text (as reported) | Unit exactly as reported (% w/v, % w/w, g/L…). |
| concentration_basis | Concentration basis | text (as reported) | Protein basis, sample basis, dry basis… as reported. |
| sample_amount | Sample amount | text (as reported) | Amount of sample used, as reported. |
| sample_amount_unit | Sample amount unit | text (as reported) | Unit of the sample amount (g, mL, mg protein…). |
| solvent_or_medium | Solvent or medium | text (as reported) | e.g. deionised water, 0.1 M NaCl solution. |
| buffer_type | Buffer type | text (as reported) | e.g. sodium phosphate, Tris-HCl. |
| buffer_concentration | Buffer concentration | text (as reported) | e.g. 50 mM (value and unit as reported). |
| salt_type | Salt type and concentration | text (as reported) | Salt added, with concentration as reported. |
| ionic_strength | Ionic strength | text (as reported) | Value and unit as reported (e.g. 0.1 M NaCl). |
| method_ph | pH as reported | text (as reported) | The pH statement exactly as the source words it (use the numeric fields below for structured values). |
| ph_initial | Initial pH | number | pH before adjustment. |
| ph_target | Target pH | number | pH the protocol aimed for. |
| ph_final | Final pH | number | pH measured at the end of preparation. |
| prep_temperature_c | Preparation temperature (°C) | number | Temperature during preparation. |
| time_condition | Preparation time | text (as reported) | Duration and unit as reported. |
| temperature_condition | Preparation temperature as reported | text (as reported) | The temperature statement exactly as the source words it. |
| mixing_condition | Mixing / stirring / shear / homogenization | text (as reported) | Speed, device, duration. |
| centrifugation_speed | Centrifugation speed as reported | text (as reported) | The original statement (e.g. 3000 rpm, 10 000 ×g). |
| centrifugation_speed_unit | Centrifugation speed unit as reported | text (as reported) | rpm or ×g, exactly as reported. |
| centrifugation_rcf_xg | Centrifugation relative centrifugal force (×g) | number | Use ×g when reported. If only RPM was reported, record RPM below and leave this blank unless the rotor radius is known. |
| centrifugation_rpm | Centrifugation speed (RPM, as reported) | number | Original RPM when reported. |
| rotor_radius_if_rpm_reported | Rotor model or radius | text (as reported) | Needed before RPM can be converted to ×g; without it no conversion is made. |
| centrifugation_time | Centrifugation time | text (as reported) | Duration and unit. |
| centrifugation_temperature | Centrifugation temperature | text (as reported) | Value and unit as reported. |
| filtration | Filtration and pore size | text (as reported) | Filter type and pore size. |
| equilibration | Equilibration | text (as reported) | Time and temperature before measurement. |
| storage_history | Storage history | text (as reported) | Storage temperature and duration before analysis. |
| moisture_basis | Moisture / dry / wet basis | text (as reported) | Basis of composition values. |
Instrument and procedure
| Field | Label | Type | Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| instrument_category | Instrument category | text (as reported) | e.g. texture analyser, rheometer, calorimeter, particle-size analyser. |
| instrument_model | Manufacturer / model (optional) | text (as reported) | Reported metadata only; never required and never recommended. |
| software_method_version | Software and method version | text (as reported) | Acquisition/analysis software and version. |
| probe_geometry | Probe, geometry, cell, plate, pan or column | text (as reported) | The measuring element used. |
| calibration_standards | Calibration and standards | text (as reported) | Standards, reference materials, calibration frequency. |
| wavelength_nm | Wavelength (nm) | number | For spectrophotometric methods. |
| scan_range_rate | Scan range and rate | text (as reported) | e.g. 20–120 °C at 10 °C/min; 0.1–100 rad/s. |
| heating_cooling_rate | Heating / cooling rate | text (as reported) | Value and unit. |
| load_strain_speed | Load, strain, speed, gap, frequency, amplitude | text (as reported) | The mechanical or rheological test settings, as reported. |
| sample_dimensions | Sample dimensions | text (as reported) | Diameter, height, thickness. |
| atmosphere | Atmosphere | text (as reported) | Air, nitrogen, sealed pan… |
| measurement_temperature_c | Measurement temperature (°C) | number | Temperature during the measurement. |
Amino-acid analysis
| Field | Label | Type | Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| amino_acid_fraction | Amino-acid fraction measured | text (as reported) | free (no hydrolysis) or protein-bound / total (after hydrolysis), exactly as reported. Free and bound values are never pooled. |
| hydrolysis_conditions | Hydrolysis conditions | text (as reported) | Reagent, concentration, temperature, time and atmosphere of the hydrolysis; separate routes for sulfur amino acids (e.g. oxidation before hydrolysis) and tryptophan (alkaline or enzymatic) when used. |
| derivatization | Derivatisation | text (as reported) | Pre- or post-column derivatisation reagent and step, or none (e.g. direct MS detection). |
| separation_platform | Separation platform | text (as reported) | Ion-exchange amino-acid analyser, HPLC / UHPLC, GC, LC–MS… as reported. |
| chromatography_column | Column | text (as reported) | Column chemistry and dimensions as reported (no manufacturer is required). |
| detection_mode | Detection | text (as reported) | UV/visible (with wavelength), fluorescence (excitation/emission), mass spectrometry… |
| internal_standard | Internal standard | text (as reported) | Internal standard added before hydrolysis or before injection, if any. |
| reference_amino_acid_pattern | Reference amino-acid pattern | text (as reported) | For an amino-acid score: the reference pattern used (name, year, age group) exactly as the source cites it. Without it a score is not interpretable. |
| amino_acids_counted_essential | Amino acids counted as essential | text (as reported) | Which amino acids the source summed as essential (e.g. whether histidine, cystine or tyrosine were included). |
Replication and statistics
| Field | Label | Type | Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| replicate_structure | Replicate structure | text (as reported) | How replicates were organised (batches × measurements). |
| biological_replicates | Biological replicates | number | Independent preparations. |
| technical_replicates | Technical replicates | number | Repeated measurements on one preparation. |
| experimental_unit_id | Experimental unit ID | text (as reported) | Identifier of the independent experimental unit. |
| controls_blanks_standards | Controls, blanks, standards | text (as reported) | What was run alongside the samples. |
| randomization | Randomization | text (as reported) | How run order or allocation was randomised, if reported. |
Calculation
| Field | Label | Type | Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| equation | Exact equation | text (as reported) | The equation used to obtain the reported value, as written by the source. |
| numerator_definition | Numerator | text (as reported) | What the numerator of the equation is. |
| denominator_definition | Denominator | text (as reported) | What the denominator of the equation is. |
| dilution_factor | Dilution factor | text (as reported) | Any dilution applied before measurement. |
| conversion_factor | Conversion factor | text (as reported) | e.g. nitrogen-to-protein factor 6.25 (record the value used). |
| raw_or_derived | Raw versus derived result | text (as reported) | raw = instrument reading; derived = calculated from raw values. |
| calculation_reported_basis | Calculation / reported basis (as reported) | text (as reported) | The basis statement exactly as the source words it (e.g. per g protein, dry basis). |
Quality and deviations
| Field | Label | Type | Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| error_uncertainty_type | Error / uncertainty type | text (as reported) | SD, SE, CI, range… as reported. |
| acceptance_criteria | Acceptance criteria | text (as reported) | Criteria for accepting a run or replicate. |
| detection_quantification_limit | Detection / quantification limit | text (as reported) | LOD / LOQ with unit. |
| missingness_reason | Missingness reason | text (as reported) | Why a value is absent, when it is. |
| safety_hazard_note | Safety / hazard note (optional) | text (as reported) | Optional note about reagents or hazards. |
| method_notes | Method notes | text (as reported) | Any other reported detail that does not fit a field. |
Protocol validation lifecycle
A method is a reported method by default. Recommended and validated statuses belong to a FoodProt protocol record that a reviewer or administrator promotes; a measurement can claim such a status only by linking that protocol. ‘Validated consensus protocol’ is refused until the protocol carries: protocol_version, approved_by, approved_at, scope, validation_design, participating_laboratories, acceptance_criteria, validation_evidence. Every status change is recorded with its reason.
| Status key | Meaning |
|---|---|
| reported_method | Reported method (as described by a source or laboratory) |
| normalized_method_family | Assigned to a FoodProt method family |
| candidate_protocol | Candidate protocol (proposed, not yet reviewed) |
| recommended_protocol | Recommended protocol (reviewed; recommended, not validated) |
| validated_consensus_protocol | Validated consensus protocol (validation evidence recorded and approved) |
| retired | Retired |
Template columns
Current template: v5. One worksheet, Data_Entry, one row per measurement, with the 74 columns below in this order; the CSV template has the same columns. A blank cell means not reported, and nothing is filled in or converted on import. Workbooks made from the v4 and v3 templates still import, including the Sources and Methods sheets they carry (and the Method_Parameters sheet of v4), which are joined to their Data_Entry rows by study_id and method_id.
Version
Pre-filled version cells that identify the template; leave them unchanged.
| Column | Requirement | Format | Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| template_version | Auto | Pre-filled: v5 | Template version. Pre-filled on every entry row; leave it unchanged. Every data row must carry the pre-filled value. A blank, edited, older or newer value refuses the upload and names the row. |
| schema_version | Auto | Pre-filled: foodprot-schema-2026-09-v5 | Identifier of the column contract. Pre-filled; leave it unchanged. Every data row must carry the pre-filled value. A blank or edited value refuses the upload and names the row. |
| registry_version | Auto | Pre-filled: 2.3.0 | Metric-registry version the template was generated from. Pre-filled; leave it unchanged. Every data row must carry the pre-filled value. A blank, edited, older or newer value refuses the upload and names the row. |
Source
The article or record the values come from.
| Column | Requirement | Format | Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| study_id | Recommended | Short text ID of your choice | Your stable ID for the source; repeat it on every row from the same source. |
| citation | Conditional | Authors (year). Title. Journal, volume(issue), pages. | Full citation of the source, as printed. Required when doi is blank: a data row that gives neither citation nor DOI is refused on upload. |
| article_title | Recommended | Text as printed | Title of the article or document, as printed. |
| authors | Recommended | Family name, initials; next author … | Author list, as printed. |
| journal | Recommended | Text as printed | Journal, publisher or repository. |
| publication_year | Recommended | Four-digit year | Year of publication. |
| doi | Recommended | 10.xxxx/… exactly as printed | DOI exactly as printed, kept as text. Leave it blank when the source has none; the citation is then used to match the source. |
Design IDs
Your identifiers for samples, experimental units, conditions, series and rows.
| Column | Requirement | Format | Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| sample_id | Recommended | Text ID of your choice | Your ID for the physical sample or batch; rows measured on the same material share it. |
| experimental_unit_id | Recommended | Text ID of your choice | Your ID for the independent experimental unit, only as the source defines it. Rows without it are never treated as independent in statistics. |
| condition_id | Optional | Text ID of your choice | Your ID for one treatment and condition combination. |
| series_id | Conditional | Text ID of your choice | Groups the points of one curve or profile; one row per point. Required when value_type is series_point; the upload is refused without it. |
| source_row_id | Recommended | Text ID of your choice | Your stable row ID in your own extraction sheet. It is part of the import identity, so uploading the same row again is recognised as a duplicate. |
Protein / sample
The plant-protein material tested and its concentration.
| Column | Requirement | Format | Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| protein | Required | Text as reported | Plant-protein system tested, as the source names it. Every data row of a v5 file names the protein system; a blank refuses the upload and names the row. |
| plant_source | Optional | Text as reported | Botanical source of the protein, as reported. |
| protein_type_form | Optional | Text as reported | Isolate, concentrate, flour, hydrolysate or another form, as reported. |
| protein_concentration | Optional | Number only; its unit and basis go in protein_concentration_unit_basis | Protein concentration of the test system, as reported. |
| protein_concentration_unit_basis | Conditional | Unit and basis as reported | Unit and basis of the protein concentration exactly as reported; % w/v and % w/w are different quantities. Needed whenever protein_concentration is given; a concentration without its unit and basis is flagged when the file is checked. |
Treatment
Processing applied to the sample.
| Column | Requirement | Format | Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| treatment_1 | Optional | Text as reported | Processing treatment applied, as reported. Leave blank for an untreated sample. |
| treatment_1_value | Optional | Number only | Intensity of treatment_1; its unit goes in treatment_1_unit. |
| treatment_1_unit | Optional | Unit as reported | Unit of treatment_1_value exactly as reported. |
| treatment_1_temperature | Optional | Number in °C | Temperature of treatment_1 in °C. Another scale is converted only explicitly, with the source wording kept in notes. |
| treatment_1_time | Optional | Number in minutes | Duration of treatment_1 in minutes. Another unit is converted only explicitly, with the source wording kept in notes. |
| treatment_2 | Optional | Text as reported | Second treatment, as reported. |
| treatment_3 | Optional | Text as reported | Third treatment, as reported. |
Additives
An added ingredient and its concentration.
| Column | Requirement | Format | Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| additive_1 | Optional | Text as reported | Additive or added ingredient, as reported. |
| additive_1_concentration_percent | Optional | Number in % | Concentration of additive_1 in percent, only when the source reports it in %. A concentration in another unit is not converted: keep it, with its unit, in gel_condition_notes or notes. |
pH and ionic environment
pH, salt and ionic strength of the test system.
| Column | Requirement | Format | Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| ph | Optional | Number between 0 and 14 | pH of the test system, as reported. |
| salt_1 | Optional | Text as reported | Salt added to the test system, as reported. |
| ionic_strength_1_m | Optional | Number in mol/L | Ionic strength in mol/L exactly as the source states it; it is not calculated from a salt concentration. |
Gel preparation and storage
How a gel was formed and stored before it was measured.
| Column | Requirement | Format | Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| gel_heating_temperature_c | Optional | Number in °C | Heating temperature used to form the gel, in °C. |
| gel_heating_time_min | Optional | Number in minutes | Heating time used to form the gel, in minutes. |
| storage_temperature_c | Optional | Number in °C | Storage temperature before the measurement, in °C. |
| storage_time_h | Optional | Number in hours | Storage time before the measurement, in hours. |
| gel_condition_notes | Optional | Text as reported | Any other gel-formation or storage condition, as reported (cooling, container, heating profile, a concentration in another unit). |
Measurement
What was measured, the kind of value, the value, its unit and basis.
| Column | Requirement | Format | Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| functionality_category | Recommended | Category name as listed | FoodProt property category (listed in the Data Dictionary). When both are given, the metric name decides. |
| metric_or_measurement_name | Conditional | Metric name or key as listed | Canonical FoodProt metric name or metric_key; aliases are accepted. A name FoodProt cannot map is kept and goes to mapping review. Required when measurement_name_original is blank: every data row of a v5 file must name what was measured. |
| measurement_name_original | Recommended | Text as printed | The measurement name exactly as the source words it; kept as the stored name. |
| value_type | Required | scalar, categorical, censored_lt, censored_gt, range, not_detected, no_gel, series_point | Kind of observation. It decides which value columns are filled. Required on every data row of a v5 file. In any file it must be one of the listed values, and the value columns must match it; the upload is refused otherwise. |
| measurement_value | Conditional | Number only | The number as reported; the bound for a censored value (the x of < x or > x). Required for scalar, censored_lt, censored_gt and series_point rows; must be blank for range, categorical, not_detected and no_gel rows. The upload is refused otherwise. |
| value_lower | Conditional | Number only | Lower bound of a reported range. Required, with value_upper, when value_type is range (lower ≤ upper); blank for every other value type. |
| value_upper | Conditional | Number only | Upper bound of a reported range. Required, with value_lower, when value_type is range (lower ≤ upper); blank for every other value type. |
| value_text | Conditional | Text as printed | Text outcome exactly as the source words it. Required when value_type is categorical, not_detected or no_gel; the upload is refused without it. |
| measurement_unit | Conditional | Unit as reported | Unit exactly as reported; never converted. The Data Dictionary lists each metric's recommended units. Needed whenever the value has a unit; a metric that requires a unit is flagged in data validation without one. |
| measurement_unit_custom | Conditional | Unit as reported | Kept for earlier workbooks: the exact unit when measurement_unit is blank or holds 'Other / custom unit'. Stored verbatim; never converted. Used only when measurement_unit is blank or holds the custom-unit marker. A different unit in both columns refuses a v5 upload. |
| measurement_basis | Conditional | Basis as reported | Reporting basis exactly as reported (dry basis, wet basis, per g protein, % w/v …); different bases are never combined. Needed whenever the source states a basis. |
| measurement_basis_custom | Conditional | Basis as reported | Kept for earlier workbooks: the exact basis when measurement_basis is blank or holds 'Other / custom basis'. Stored verbatim. Used only when measurement_basis is blank or holds the custom-basis marker. A different basis in both columns refuses a v5 upload. |
| measurement_condition | Conditional | Text as reported | Condition qualifier of this value as reported: time point, temperature, the x-value of a series point. A series_point row needs its x-value context here or in the condition column that varies along the series; the upload is refused otherwise. |
| analyte_or_band | Conditional | Text as reported | Analyte, band or component of a multi-analyte result; one row per amino acid, band or particle-size statistic. Needed for multi-analyte results, one row per analyte. |
Method
How the value was obtained, exactly as reported.
| Column | Requirement | Format | Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| method_id | Optional | Text ID of your choice | Your ID grouping the rows measured with the same reported method. v5 needs no separate Methods sheet: the method columns sit on each row. |
| measurement_method | Recommended | Text as printed | Method statement exactly as the source words it. |
| method_method_family_key | Optional | Family key as listed | FoodProt method family key (listed in the Data Dictionary). Leave blank when unsure; nothing is inferred. When given, it must be one of the listed family keys; the upload is refused otherwise. |
| method_method_reference | Optional | Reference as cited | Method reference exactly as cited: ISO, AOAC, AACC, journal or laboratory method. Citing a standard does not mean the work, the laboratory or FoodProt is accredited or compliant. |
| method_instrument_category | Optional | Text as reported | Instrument category, such as texture analyser, rheometer or calorimeter. |
| method_instrument_model | Optional | Text as reported | Manufacturer and model as reported; optional, never required or recommended. |
| method_measurement_temperature_c | Optional | Number in °C | Temperature during the measurement, in °C. |
| method_raw_or_derived | Optional | raw, derived | raw = instrument reading; derived = calculated from raw values. When given, it must be one of the listed values; the upload is refused otherwise. |
| method_method_notes | Optional | Text as reported | Any other reported method detail. |
Replication & statistics
Replicates, the printed n and the dispersion, exactly as reported.
| Column | Requirement | Format | Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| biological_replicates | Recommended | Whole number ≥ 1 | Number of biological replicates as the source states it; never inferred. When given, it must be a whole number of at least 1; the upload is refused otherwise. |
| technical_replicates | Optional | Whole number ≥ 1 | Number of technical replicates as the source states it. When given, it must be a whole number of at least 1; the upload is refused otherwise. |
| independent_units | Recommended | Whole number ≥ 1 | Number of independent experimental units the value summarizes, as stated; never guessed. When given, it must be a whole number of at least 1; the upload is refused otherwise. |
| reported_summary_n | Recommended | Whole number ≥ 1 | The n printed with the value; a published mean's n is not a count of raw observations. When given, it must be a whole number of at least 1; the upload is refused otherwise. |
| dispersion_type | Conditional | SD, SE, CI95_half_width, IQR, range, none_reported | What the reported dispersion is; SD and SE are different quantities. Required when dispersion_value is given; the upload is refused without it. |
| dispersion_value | Conditional | Number only | The reported dispersion value. Blank unless the source reports a dispersion; dispersion_type must then say what it is. |
| statistical_note | Optional | Text as printed | Statistical annotation from the source: letters, tests, corrections. |
Provenance
Where the value was read, what was printed, and its review state.
| Column | Requirement | Format | Guidance |
|---|---|---|---|
| data_extracted_from | Recommended | Text | Where the value was read: table, figure, text or supplementary material. |
| table_figure_page | Recommended | Text as printed | Exact table or figure number and page. |
| original_reported_value | Recommended | Text as printed | The value exactly as printed, including ± and symbols; kept verbatim. |
| original_reported_unit | Recommended | Text as printed | The unit exactly as printed; kept verbatim. |
| missing_reason | Conditional | not_reported, not_measured, below_detection, illegible_in_source, ambiguous_in_source | Why a value is absent, when it is. A blank means not reported; never enter 0 for a missing value. When given, it must be one of the listed values; the upload is refused otherwise. |
| reviewer_status | Optional | unreviewed, checked_against_source, queried | Your extraction check status. When given, it must be one of the listed values; the upload is refused otherwise. |
| notes | Optional | Text | Anything else a later reader needs. |
ML-ready columns
Model-ready exports always contain the required groups and add the optional groups you select, in the order shown. The split column (train, validation or test) is assigned by study, so rows from one study never span splits.
Split, grouping and source identifiers (always included)
split, group_id, measurement_id, record_id, article_id, doi, citation
Measured properties / target variables (always included)
metric_key, metric_label, measurement_name, measurement_value, value_type, measurement_unit, unit_group, measurement_basis, standard_deviation, standard_error, replicate_number, original_reported_value, original_reported_unit, quality_flag, review_status
Protein information (name, source, concentration) (optional)
protein_name, protein_source, protein_concentration_percent, protein_concentration_unit
Processing and formulation conditions (treatments, additives, pH, salt, heating, storage) (optional)
treatments_summary, additives_summary, treatment_1, treatment_1_value, treatment_1_unit, treatment_1_temperature_c, treatment_1_time_min, treatment_2, additive_1, additive_1_concentration_percent, additive_2, salt_type, ionic_strength_m, ph, heating_temperature_c, heating_time_min, storage_temperature_c, storage_time_h
Method and measurement context (method, condition, method parameters, notes) (optional)
measurement_method, measurement_condition, method_parameters, data_extracted_from, table_figure_number, notes
Record fields
| Field | Meaning | Unit | Required | Format or example | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| article_citation | Full citation text for the source paper | - | Required | Authors (year). Title. Journal, volume(issue), pages. | - | Used to find-or-create the parent article row on import. |
| article_doi | Digital Object Identifier for the paper | - | Optional | 10.xxxx/… exactly as printed | Format: 10.xxxx/... | Strongly recommended; used for duplicate detection across uploads. |
| protein | Name of the protein system tested | - | Required | Pea protein isolate | - | Free text; standardize via /controlled-vocabulary where possible. |
| protein_concentration_percent | Protein concentration in the test system | % (w/v or w/w as reported) | Optional | 10 | Usually 1-30 | Check the paper for the w/v or w/w basis; it is not standardized across studies. |
| treatment_1 / treatment_2 / treatment_3 | Processing treatment or pretreatment applied | - | Optional | Heat-induced gelation | - | Treatments are stored as ordered, repeatable rows; these legacy columns mirror the first three. |
| treatment_N_temperature_c | Temperature at which the treatment was applied | °C | Optional | 95 | Usually 0-200 | The column is in °C. If the source reports °F or K, convert explicitly and keep the original wording in notes; FoodProt does not convert it automatically. |
| treatment_N_time_min | Duration of the treatment | minutes | Optional | 30 | > 0 | The column is in minutes. If the source reports hours, convert explicitly and keep the original wording in notes. |
| additive_1...additive_4 | Additives or ingredients included in the formulation | - | Optional | NaCl | - | Additives are stored as ordered, repeatable rows with their own unit and basis; these legacy columns mirror the first four. |
| ph | pH of the system at the time of measurement | pH units | Optional | 7.0 | 0-14 | Values outside 0-14 are flagged as a validation warning. |
| salt_1...salt_3 / ionic_strength_N_m | Salt type and its ionic strength | M (molar) | Optional | NaCl, 0.1 | Usually 0-2 M | Values above ~10 M are flagged for a unit double-check. |
| gel_heating_temperature_c / gel_heating_time_min | Heating condition used to form the gel | °C / minutes | Optional | 95 / 30 | - | - |
| storage_temperature_c / storage_time_h | Storage condition after sample preparation | °C / hours | Optional | 4 / 24 | - | - |
| functionality_type | Category of protein functionality measured for this condition | - | Required | gelation_hardness | See /controlled-vocabulary for the full list | Legacy storage bucket kept for compatibility. The measured property itself is identified by metric_key. |
| measurement_name | Specific value measured (free text for non-hardness/WHC types) | - | Conditional | foaming_capacity | - | hardness/whc keep dedicated columns on experimental_records for backward compatibility, and are mirrored here too. |
| measurement_value | The numeric result of the measurement | Varies; see measurement_unit | Conditional | The number as reported (no unit, no ±) | - | Never stored as text such as "NA"; a missing value is a true SQL null. |
| metadata_json | Type-specific extra fields that don't fit a common column | - | Optional | {"shear_rate": 50, "strain": 0.01} | - | Used for rheology (G', G'', shear rate, strain, frequency) and thermal properties (transition temp, enthalpy). |
| data_status | Review state of the row | - | Required | approved | pending, approved, rejected, needs_correction, raw, draft | Only authorized research accounts (Contributor, Editor, Reviewer and Admin with research access) read research rows; public visitors and Viewer accounts read none at this stage. Research data is never public. |
| quality_flag | Free-text flag for known data-quality caveats | - | Optional | Value estimated from a figure, not a reported number | - | - |
| metric_key | Stable canonical metric identity from the FoodProt metric registry | - | Conditional | water_holding_capacity | See the Canonical metrics table / Controlled Vocabulary sheet | measurement_name keeps the original human-readable wording; metric_key is the machine identity known synonyms resolve to. Null = needs mapping review (excluded from metric-bound analytics, never guessed). |
| measurement_unit | Unit of measurement_value, exactly as reported/entered | - | Conditional | g water/g protein | Recommended units per metric; any source-reported unit accepted | Never silently converted. Incompatible units (% w/v vs % w/w; g/g vs %) are never pooled into one chart axis or statistic. |
| measurement_basis | Reporting basis of the value where applicable | - | Conditional | per g protein | dry basis, wet basis, sample basis, protein basis, w/w, w/v, custom | Values on different bases are different quantities; record the basis whenever the source states it. |
| original_reported_value | Verbatim value string exactly as printed in the source | - | Recommended | 3.2 ± 0.2 | - | Preserves provenance regardless of any later normalization; never overwritten. |
| original_reported_unit | Verbatim unit string exactly as printed in the source | - | Recommended | g H2O/g protein | - | Display spelling may be normalized (m2/g renders as m²/g), but the stored text is untouched. |
| unit_converted | Whether the stored value/unit reflect an explicit contributor-recorded conversion | - | Optional | false | true / false | FoodProt performs no automatic conversions; when true, the original_reported_* fields hold the pre-conversion source values. |
| observation_key | Identity of the scientific observation a measurement row reports | - | Set by FoodProt | 64 hexadecimal characters | - | Computed by the database from the article, record, canonical metric, value type, reported value (original text, number, bounds or text), reported and stored unit, basis, condition, analyte or band, method, sample, experimental-unit, condition and series identifiers, replicate number, table or figure location and study. Two live rows with the same key report the same observation; provenance fields such as data_extracted_from are not part of it. Also exported as prov_observation_key. |
| is_primary_observation | Whether this row is the one counted for its observation | - | Set by FoodProt | true | true / false | False on a later stored copy of the same observation with the same status. Statistics, Ask FoodProt and default exports count primary rows only. |
| duplicate_of_measurement_id | The measurement counted in place of this stored copy | - | Set by FoodProt | A measurement identifier (UUID) | - | Blank on every counted row. Filled only when an export was asked for every stored row; such a row must not be counted as a separate observation. |
| citation_verification_status | Result of checking the source's DOI and bibliographic details | - | Set by FoodProt | not_checked | not_supplied / not_checked / verified_match / probable_match / mismatch / unable_to_verify | Written only by the citation check or a reviewer's recorded decision; the citation as reported by the contributor is never changed. A record whose source is a mismatch or a probable match cannot be approved until a reviewer resolves it. Also exported as prov_citation_verification_status. |