ISSUE FOCUS 54 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE December 2025 Testing on chunks-in-gravy products showed that chunks made with faba bean protein concentrate had a spongier structure and better holding capacity than those made with ABP thanks to the higher starch content of the vegetal protein. It was concluded that replacing at least 25% of the ABP in chunks-in-gravy recipes was possible with no significant impact on the appearance or quality of the chunks. Based on these successful trials, BENEO filed an international patent application for its faba bean protein concentrate as an alternative to spray dried animal blood plasma (ABP) in wet pet food, which was published in August 2025. To assess the environmental impact of replacing ABP with BENEO’s faba bean protein concentrate, LCA calculations1 for the loaves test recipes were done, in particular for the climate change category, comparing their CO2 emission equivalents. 2 The results demonstrate that when fully replacing ABP, BENEO’s ingredient leads to a 6.3% reduction in emissions. Enabling to combine cost and sustainability benefits, this plant-based protein ingredient delivers interesting potential for wet pet food producers. NEW SOLUTION FOR DRY PET FOODS WITH FABA BEAN STARCH As well as supporting the latest trends in wet pet food, the faba bean is a great ingredient for pet food producers looking to capitalise on the continued popularity of dry pet food. In fact, 89% of pet owners say to have purchased dry pet food in the past three months and more than half would be interested in seeing more plant-based proteins being used in this type of pet food.ix Thanks to its convenience and cost, the global market for it is predicted to reach a sizeable USD 34.63 billion by the end of 2030.x This is good news for pet food producers of dry products, who benefit significantly from the high production capacity of extruded food, which can be achieved at relatively low costs. Traditionally, dry pet food for cats and dogs comprises specific amounts of nutrients such as protein, fat, minerals, and vitamins, with these accounting for 40-50% of the total formula. To complete the formula, neutral fillers are used. While these fillers are not nutritionally essential, they can enhance the nutritional profile of the product and can provide technological properties. Carbohydrates, particularly starch-rich raw materials, are commonly used as fillers because cooked starch provides digestible energy. The choice of starch will affect both the technical properties of the dry pet food and its production process. Traditional starches include grains like wheat, corn and barley, however grain-free pet foods are on the increase as pet owners perceive them as healthier. The most common starch sources in these products are potatoes, sweet potatoes, peas, and tapioca. BENEO’s faba bean starchrich flour is a legume starch alternative that can be used in non-grain dry extruded products. Until recently its performance in dry pet food wasn’t measured. However, thanks to technical trials conducted by Passion4Food with air-classified faba bean starch, it has been shown that it is suitable as an alternative to pea starch in dry pet food kibbles. BENEO’s faba bean starch-rich flour was used as a partial and full pea starch replacement in non-grain recipes, leading to no significant differences in energy consumption during processing. The trials showed that full replacement of pea starch, with up to 20% inclusion of faba bean starch-rich flour, is possible without significant changes in kibble quality. Higher inclusion of 35% faba bean starch-rich flour led to considerably increased expansion, improved pore structure and enhanced oil absorption capacity. As cats have been shown to like more expanded and crunchy kibbles, the results of higher inclusion are particularly interesting for cat food producers. Therefore, though technically more challenging, inclusion of faba bean starch-rich flour up to 35% is possible in cat food or in high fat diets where the pore structure and oil absorption capacity can benefit the final product. The trials give pet food manufacturers another vegetal starch option for their dry pet food ingredient toolbox. At the same time, LCA calculations revealed that a 20% inclusion of faba bean starch-rich flour as replacement of pea starch in the trial recipe leads to a decrease in CO2 emission equivalent of approximately 30%.3
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