The future of pet food kibble: enhancing plant protein bioavailability with enzymatic preconditioning

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As for themselves, pet owners are also demanding superior, non-GMO (non-genetically modified) and non-allergenic plant substitutes for their pets. These plant-based products used must not only satisfy the nutritional demands of their beloved carnivores, but also be highly palatable and capable of being efficiently and affordably processed by industry. We are developing a completely plant protein-based pet food that is non-GMO, gluten-free, and possesses a palatability, amino acid balance, protein digestibility and bioavailability compared to meat kibbles. Plant protein concentrates made from selected Canadian grains will be used in this research. However, research suggests that all grain proteins, unlike animal proteins, are not as well digested by cats and dogs, due to some anti-nutritional factors (ANFs) they contain. Furthermore, the cell wall fibres (CWFs) from plant sources can surround and entrap protein and make it less available for digestion too. Our research aims to minimize the negative effects of ANFs and CWFs on protein digestibility and bioavailability using a combination of environmentally-friendly technologies. A wealth of knowledge exists already regarding grain chemistry and enzyme conversion of proteins; this becomes foundation of our project here. Our lab and pilot scale experiments would integrate this current basic and practical knowledge in the areas of grain chemistry, enzyme hydrolytic conversion and kibble extrusion technologies. At the final phase of this research, we would evaluate our plant protein kibbles to meat kibbles for palatability, protein bioavailability and potential pet performance in a series of standard pet-friendly evaluations with dogs and cats. This research would help our Canadian pet food industry to become a leader in the production of cost efficient plant protein-based, superior quality kibbles. More significantly, the successful commercialization of these technologies would promote the global demand for plant protein concentrates produced by our own Canadian grain processing industry. This project represents a significant opportunity for the University of Alberta to train and educate several future scientists and technologists for the fast growing pet food industry in Canada.