A new study by the Research Laboratory in Canine Nutrition at Brazil’s Federal University of Paraná has found that Enifer’s PEKILO Pet mycoprotein can boost dog health by increasing beneficial probiotic bacteria and reducing harmful bacteria linked to cancers.
The 42-day study on 16 beagles also showed that PEKILO Pet can improve gut microbiome diversity and increases the production of short-chain fatty acids, key for gut health.
According to the company, previous research shows the gut plays an important role in animal health. In particular, the microbiome in the gut is known to affect both the absorption and metabolism of nutrients and the dog’s protective functions. Probiotics have beneficial effects on pets, such as modulating the immune system, helping to reduce stress, protecting against pathogenic bacteria, and supporting healthy growth, said Heikki Keskitalo, business development manager and cofounder of Enifer.
“Our findings confirm that even at low inclusion levels, PEKILO Pet enhances beneficial gut bacteria while reducing harmful ones, which could have far-reaching health benefits for dogs, from improved digestion to enhanced immune function,” said Keskitalo.
Additionally, the study found statistically significant increases in the production of short-chain fatty acids (SFCAs) and branched short-chain fatty acids (BFCAs), with increasing PEKILO Pet inclusion in the diet – with previous research highlighting the benefit of SFCAs to dogs. Also, including PEKILO Pet did not change the dogs’ fecal quality, with a dry matter of 29.7% and a score of 3.9%, with no significant changes in Score, pH, or ammonia content.
Finally, no significant differences were found in the palatability of reference diets and the diets containing 4%, 8%, or 16% PEKILO Pet protein.
“These results are incredibly exciting for the future of sustainable pet food,” said Keskitalo. “Our PEKILO Pet mycoprotein not only addresses the growing demand for natural and environmentally friendly ingredients but also significantly boosts the gut health in dogs and is well digested, making it a win-win for pet health and the planet.”
Consumers increasingly prioritize sustainable, natural ingredients
The company noted the study’s findings are significant as dog owners are increasingly drawn to pet diets that reflect their own personal values and lifestyle choices, which is leading to growth in alternative approaches to pet food as concerns about the sustainability of animal protein ingredients grow.
Consumers are increasingly looking for pet food that contains natural and easy-to-understand ingredients and fewer cereal grains and high-carbohydrate ingredients, which have been linked to chronic systemic inflammation in dogs and can lead to a range of degenerative disease states, including cancer. Enifer said PEKILO Pet addresses this demand as a high-protein ingredient containing 60% protein and 22% fiber (including large amounts of beta-glucan – a functional fiber with a wide range of health benefits for dogs) and smaller amounts of fat, minerals, and vitamins.
PEKILO Pet is also hypoallergenic and rich in spermidine, a polyamine that is particularly beneficial for aging dogs, as polyamine levels naturally decline with age. Spermidine helps maintain gut health, making it an essential supplement for older pets. Produced through fermentation and upcycling industrial side streams, PEKILO Pet requires minimal land and water, making it a sustainable alternative. Its production process results in up to 90% lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to imported soya, said the company.
In May 2024, Enifer announced the completion of a €33 million (US$35.7 million) funding package that enabled it to start constructing a unique food-grade mycoprotein factory in Kirkkonummi, Finland. This will be the world’s first factory to produce such protein from side streams. Additionally, Enifer is already planning larger production facilities focusing exclusively on producing high-quality and affordable PEKILO mycoprotein ingredients targeted to animal nutrition.
Adapted from a press release.
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