Next generation functional pet food for selected segments by use of new biobased ingredients with effect on dog health and wellbeing

Norilia og Felleskjøpet har i prosjektet utviklte innovative hundefôr-produkter basert på nye biobaserte og bærekraftige ingredienser med funksjonelle egenskaper egnet for spesial-produkter til utvalgte bruksområder. Ingrediensene er; hydrolyserte fjørfe-proteiner, uløselige proteiner- og mineraler, eggeskall-kalsium og eggeskall-membran. Ingrediensene er produsert fra rest-råstoff fra kjøtt- og egg-industrien som er foredlet på bioraffineri eid av Norilia og Felleskjøpet. Målet med prosjektet var å verifisere næringsinnhold og validere lovende helse-effekter for ingrediensene. Sammen med NMBU og Fassion4Food AS ble det dokumentert flere positive effekter av ingrediensene gjennom analyser og kliniske case-studier. Prosjektet er viktig i arbeidet med å utvikle bærekraftige varestrømmer ved bruk av kort-reiste råvarer foredlet til innovative og bærekraftige ingredienser. Prosjektet bidrar til økt matsikkerhet og selvforsyningsgrad. Prosjektet har dokumentert at hydrolyserte fjørfe-proteiner, produsert på Bioco AS, har en utmerket kvalitet med høy protein-fordøyelighet. Et case-studie gjennomført av veterinær-klinikken Dyr i bevegelse AS fant at bruk av eggeskall membran i tørr-fôr reduserer symptomer for halthet og stivhet for 66% av hundene som er diagnostert med HD-C i studiet, Prosjektet har lykkes med å utvikle tygge-bein med 45% innhold av protein, noe som er unikt for denne type produkter. Case-studiet som ble gjennomført av veterinær-klinikken Gode venner dyreklinikk AS viste at høy-protein tyggebein innblandet eggeskall-kalsium reduserte oppbygging av tannstein og plakk for nesten 60% av deltakerne i case-studiet. I tillegg indikerer forskningen i prosjektet at tørr-fôr med høyt nivå av hydrolyserte fjørfe-protein ikke bare møter det ernæringsmessige behovet for sledehunder, men også bevarer helse uten at det har negativ effekt på mage/tarm mikrobiota.

The project has successfully enhanced the understanding of researched ingredients chemical compositions and their effects on dog nutrition and health. It has revealed how these ingredients affect digestibility and overall well-being in dogs, including food consumption, stool quality, dental health, and mobility. This knowledge is crucial for the production of dry and wet pet foods, semi-moist snacks, and dental sticks. In addition, the project's findings also indicate that high-performance working dogs such as sled dogs did not experience adverse effects on their health, blood biochemistry, or microbiota after consuming poultry peptides for four weeks. The ability to commercialize innovative products like functional snacks and high-protein or high-fat dry foods is possible after the project's findings. For instance, this project found that hydrolyzed chicken peptides are more digestible for dogs than traditional poultry meal can substantiate sales claims and offer a competitive edge. Although the project did not succeed in creating an effective hypoallergenic product for dogs with food allergies, the valuable data collected lays a solid foundation for future research. The insights gained promise to expedite the development process for upcoming projects in this domain.

Norilia and Felleskjopet intend to develop and launch innovative pet food products based on novel biobased ingredients with functional properties suited for advanced and targeted applications. The products are as follows: soluble poultry protein (hydrolysate), insoluble poultry protein, eggshell-calcium and eggshell membrane flakes. The ingredients can be applied in pet food diets with a potential for improving nutritional quality and contribute to improved health status. Hydrolysed proteins have small size peptides, with a molecule weight below 10 kDa, and are therefore not recognized as antigens by the immune system. This means that hydrolysed protein is relevant in so called "hypoallergenic diets" for dogs. Studies show that hydrolysed proteins also have great impact on muscle maintenance and restitution is an excellent protein source for performance dogs. The insoluble protein has a good amino acid profile and a high digestibility, and it also contains high-value minerals. Eggshell (calcium carbonate) is a natural source of calcium and it proven to have better bioavailabilty than standard inorganic industrial calcium types. Eggshell membrane contains the protein collagen and the cartilage components glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate. Components from egg shell membrane are well-documented and is applied as supplements for management of joint pain, osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. The nutrient content and scientific evidence concerning health effects for the ingredients are promising. The modern pet life expectancy is increased, and we are expecting senior dog population to raise. Focus development areas are: sensitive dogs, senior dogs, physical active performance dogs and dental and joint health. Together with NMBU and Passion4feed AS we will develop and document effects fortified with clinical studies. This will generate new pet food products increase the value of all ingredients, and therefore increase the profitability for all partners involved.