Edible protein per unit area of land is a measure of agricultural productivity. This measure for various major foodstuffs is shown in the chart below. Values are expressed for one calendar year. Biological Values and usable protein values have been added to the chart to show the true relative value of each foodstock for human consumption. Usable protein values are determined by the Biological Value of each foodstuff and represent the amount of protein that is fully digested by humans, it is calculated as follows (Edible protein * Biological Value = Usable protein).
| Edible protein | BV | Usable protein | Limiting amino acid | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (g/m²) | (lb/acre) | (%) | (g/m²) | (lb/acre) | |||
| Soybeans | 40.0 | 356 | 74 | 29 | 263 | ||
| Rice | 29.0 | 260 | 86 | 25 | 224 | lysine | |
| Legumes (average) | 22.0 | 192 | 49 | 11 | 94 | tryptophan | |
| Milk | 9.2 | 82 | 91 | 8.4 | 75 | methionine or cysteine | |
| Wheat | 15.0 | 138 | 54 | 8.1 | 75 | lysine | |
| Eggs | 8.5 | 76 | 94 | 8.0 | 71 | ||
| Maize | 24.0 | 211 | 32 | 7.7 | 68 | tryptophan | |
| Meat (average) | 5.0 | 45 | 80 | 4 | 36 | ||
| Beef | 2.2 | 20 | 78 | 1.72 | 15.6 | phenylalanine or tyrosine | |
| Selected averages as computed in the 1970s | |||||||
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