Ingredients of animal origin are the mainstay of dog and cat diets. Demand for these ingredients continues to grow, but U.S. companies say producing meat to meet this demand could have a disproportionate impact on the environment.
Boulder, Colorado-based Bond Pet Foods uses yeast-based precision fermentation to produce proteins such as chicken, turkey and fish without the use of animals. The raw material is DNA extracted from a live chicken blood sample, and then the company’s R&D experts use a fermentation process to combine that DNA with yeast and put it into a fermentation tank to give it sugars, vitamins, and minerals. Masu. Once the fermented meat protein reaches a certain density and composition, it is dried and ground into powder.
“We utilize precision fermentation, a technology that has been used for more than half a century, to convert enzymes for cheese making into vitamin B12 and lactic acid. We are reinventing the process to produce animal proteins like chicken, turkey and fish more efficiently and responsibly,” said Bond Pet Foods founder and CEO. ‘s Rich Keleman previously told us.
He argues that the company’s simple production process, which minimizes downstream processing, makes it successful for pet food applications. “We foresee Bond’s ingredients being cost-competitive with animal proteins routinely used in the industry, such as meat trims, low-ash meals, and dried bone broth.”
Burden on pet food raw material sources
According to Nick Braden, vice president of Wilbur Ellis Pet Nutrition, precision fermentation is an increasingly attractive tool for producing proteins, flavors and blends.
“Working with Bond does not mean a shift from our dedication to promoting sustainability in livestock farming. Rather, this is a new initiative specifically aimed at increasing sustainability in the pet industry. It represents another aspect of our efforts to introduce products that, as the pet food sector evolves, particularly in the premium brand space, can put strain on raw material sources and compete with the human food market. We see this partnership as an opportunity to provide our customers with additional flexibility and a more diverse selection of ingredients to create the next generation of innovative pet foods and treats. ” he tells FeedNavigator.
Nutritional information and flavor profile
By leveraging the collective knowledge of both companies, Wilbur-Ellis can expand its ability to offer innovative, multi-functional solutions that deliver multiple benefits to pet diets, including vegan and vegetarian recipes. It can also be offered to mainstream brands, Braden said.
“Using precision fermentation, we can tailor protein and amino acid profiles to create precise nutrient and flavor profiles. This allows us to partner with our customers in new ways and target the specific ingredients they need. We will be able to offer this at an attractive price.”
This approach provides greater flexibility for innovation, in line with the humanization and sustainability trends prevalent in the pet food industry, he continues.
“Additionally, it provides a means to address gaps that exist in ingredient solutions. While there are many excellent plant and animal ingredient options for pet food, precision fermentation allows for the creation of more customized solutions. These solutions can provide additional benefits and premium product options without relying on traditional supply chain resources.”
He emphasizes that introducing new raw materials to the market always requires an adaptation phase. “However, we are confident that by intentionally communicating its benefits, consumers will embrace this innovative technology.”
Bond’s investors include Genoa VC, Lever VC, ADM Ventures, Cavallo Ventures (Wilbur-Ellis), Agronomics, Thia Ventures, KBW Ventures, iSelect Fund, Plug and Play Ventures, and others in the alternative protein, biotech, and raw materials space. Contains prominent funds.
Regulatory review
Earlier this year, the startup announced it had delivered two tons of animal protein to Hill’s Pet Nutrition, and the company continues this collaboration. big milestoneTowards commercialization of fermentation technology for pet food applications. This scale of delivery will allow Hills to formulate a variety of test products for regulatory review and evaluation at its Pet Nutrition Center in Topeka, Kansas.
Last June, U.S. regulators approved the sale of chicken made from animal cells for use as human food. However, they have not yet approved cultured meat as an ingredient in pet food.
