Palatability Trials Find Pets Prefer MicroHarvest Microbial Protein to Commercially-Available Kibble

Palatability trials conducted by MicroHarvest have revealed that both cats and dogs show a preference for the company's MPX microbial protein over commercially-available kibble. In the trials, a significant percentage of cats and small dogs chose the MPX protein over a control food, with an increase in portion intake observed in both species. The MPX kibble, made in collaboration with a Portuguese animal nutrition company, was well-received by pets and their owners, demonstrating that microbial protein can compete on taste in addition to sustainability and nutrition.

MicroHarvest's MPX protein is produced through a natural fermentation process using agricultural sidestreams as feedstock, making it one of the fastest large-scale protein production methods in the world. The company has made significant progress in commercialising their product, scaling production to ten tons per day in a single vessel and partnering with plant-based pet food brand VEGDOG to introduce a dog treat made from microbial proteins. These palatability trial results represent a milestone for alternative proteins in the pet food industry, indicating that pets genuinely enjoy and consume more of the MPX protein, encouraging innovation in formulating pet foods with next-gen ingredients.