Feeding your pet what feels good… and is good
Once considered odd, nowadays, cutting out all animal products from your diet is mainstream. Whether out of concern for the environment or for the sake of animal welfare, the plant-based diet is here to stay. And now people want to extend that diet to family members, including furry ones.
Plant-based protein
Royal Avebe from the Netherlands has developed a plant-based protein for pet food, called Protastar®. What makes this particular protein interesting, is that it is a low-glycoalkaloid potato protein. This means that it is fully plant based, healthy, and can pave the way towards a plant-based diet.
Potato proteins are rich, well rounded, and contain a high level of crude protein content. The low-glycoalkaloids potato protein is rich in sulphur containing amino acids and aromatic amino acids, enriching the coat colour of pets.
Tasty, healthy replacement
But what about flavour? Fortunately, this particular potato protein has a neutral, balanced flavour. In multiple two-bowl studies, low-glycoalkaloids potato proteins successfully replaced beef, poultry, or soybean meal, without an adverse effect on food intake. Can this be the leap for plant-based diets for pets? A plant-based diet might also end up being healthier for our feline friends, than meat alone. Potato proteins allow for a low ash formulation and better pH balance than from meals made solely from animal-derived products.
The numbers
Protastar is a low-glycoalkaloid potato protein that is good for pets and meets owner preferences for plantbased diets. It features a low solanine content (40 ppm), low ash content (0.7%), ideal pH balance (3), and a low buffering capacity. For manufacturers interested in producing a new generation of pet food, this is a plant protein worth checking out.
Share this story:
