Have you ever considered the hidden potential in the by-products generated by the animal protein processing industry? We’re talking about feathers, viscera, and meat and fish trimmings, which, instead of being underutilized or discarded, can be transformed into high-value-added assets through the use of enzymes like proteases.
In a world where sustainability and industrial efficiency need to be increasingly integrated, enzymatic hydrolysis emerges as an innovative and effective solution. It allows the meat, poultry, and fish industries to convert their residues into high-value-added co-products. This is due to the ability of proteases to perform a controlled breakdown of proteins, promoting the release of peptides and amino acids with functional properties.
That’s why Prozyn, offering the widest portfolio of proteases on the market, invites you to discover more about how these enzymes can create opportunities in several industrial segments. Our Soluzyme™ Line has solutions for rendering that helps transform by-products into high-value ingredients. Our enzymes improve the functionality of proteins for better texture, flavor, and digestibility, while also increasing the overall yield of your process.
Pet Food: More Flavor, Palatability, and Nutritional Value
In the pet food industry, palatability is fundamental to ensure the acceptance of food intended for dogs and cats. Through the enzymatic hydrolysis of animal by-products like viscera, the use of proteases makes it possible to produce natural palatants rich in low molecular weight peptides. This not only increases the acceptance of pet food and treats by animals but also elevates the nutritional value of the protein fraction of the diet. In this way, it’s possible to reduce the need for artificial additives and add value to ingredients that were once considered industrial waste.
Animal Nutrition: Feather Meal with High Nutritional Value
Feathers represent one of the main technical challenges for the industrial processing of poultry, due to their high keratin content—a fibrous structural protein with low digestibility that is resistant to conventional degradation. This characteristic limit its direct use in animal nutrition, even considering the protein contribution that feathers could offer to the diet. With the use of specific proteases that act on structural proteins, it’s possible to promote the efficient hydrolysis of keratin, resulting in a hydrolyzed feather meal that is highly digestible and rich in bioavailable amino acids, ideal for more efficient nutritional formulations. This application not only adds value to an abundant by-product but also contributes to more sustainable production with a lower environmental impact.
Pharmaceuticals: High-Value Bioactives
Heparin and chondroitin sulfate are molecules widely used as natural anticoagulants and anti-inflammatories, respectively. They can be obtained through the hydrolysis of animal tissues like intestinal mucosa and cartilage. The application of specific proteases in the hydrolysis of these co-products allows for the efficient and selective release of these compounds, contributing to the generation of products with high pharmacological value, while simultaneously reducing waste and increasing the profitability of the production chain.
Fertilizers and Bio-inputs: Value and Nutrition for the Soil
The hydrolysis of protein residues also offers opportunities in the development of organic fertilizers and agricultural biostimulants. The hydrolyzed proteins release nitrogen and other minerals that promote plant growth, acting as a source of nutrients and contributing to regenerative and low-impact agriculture.
The applications presented are just a sample of the potential of proteases in the transformation of by-products from the animal protein industry. The possibilities are vast and open new paths for solutions that combine innovation, sustainability, and value generation.
At Prozyn, we understand that every challenge represents an opportunity. Our Technological Innovations Center has a state-of-the-art infrastructure, and we are prepared to help you overcome any challenge and transform your business. Talk to us and discover how our enzymes can bring more value and sustainability to your process!
ABOUT PROZYN®
Prozyn is one of the leading suppliers of biological ingredients in the world. It offers customized solutions for the most specific needs of customers, always based on innovation, technology, and improving quality of life. It provides a complete line of ingredients for cost reduction, process optimization, and product quality improvement.
Content produced by the Prozyn Team.