A sterile solution of amino acids and peptides prepared from a protein by acid or enzymatic hydrolysis and used intravenously for the maintenance of positive nitrogen balance in severe illness, after surgery of the alimentary tract, in the diets of infants allergic to milk, or as a high protein dietary supplement. Protein hydrolysates have a range of applications in the food and allied healthcare sectors. Bitterness is a negative attribute associated with most food protein hydrolysate.