Speed is everything: Scientists discover the secret behind top-performing proteins

Hamlet Protein

Choosing the best protein source for young animals is critical to farm profits. But, in a market full of protein products that claim to optimize growth and improve feed efficiency, it can be hard to put a finger on why one is a better choice than another.

New research has uncovered the missing point of difference. What scientists have found is that the secret of the best protein performance is in the timing. More specifically, it’s about the speed of protein digestibility and absorption.

Maximum potential for growth

Until recently, comparisons of protein quality have primarily focused on amino acid content and digestibility. Soy protein, for example, has a similar amino acid profile to animal-based proteins, which means it contains all the essential building blocks for young animal growth and development.
Studies have now revealed that there is more to protein digestibility than previously met the eye. The findings show that the faster protein is broken down and absorbed, the more amino acids are available to build muscles and vital organs.

Simply explained, improved amino acid utilization maximizes the potential for growth, lowering the feed conversion ratio and minimizing nitrogen excretion.

Identifying the optimum protein

This discovery presents a new opportunity for farmers to identify the optimum choice of protein for young animal feed.
As a supplier of specialty soy proteins, Hamlet Protein teamed up with Aarhus University to determine the digestibility speed of plant and animal-based proteins and make a comparison with its own product HP 300.
Previous feeding trials had already shown that HP 300 matched blood plasma on performance. The new study revealed the reason why – that both HP 300 and blood plasma are digested and absorbed very rapidly. In other words, HP 300 was digested and absorbed faster than other processed soy proteins, potato and fish meal and just as fast as blood plasma (figure 1).

Explaining a first-class performance

Hamlet Protein’s patented production process is the likely explanation for this first-class performance. Here, the use of enzymatic treatment not only effectively reduces the content of antinutritional factors, optimizing protein digestibility. It also makes the protein more readily available for hydrolysis by enzymes in animal digestive systems. The outcome is a specialty soy protein that is efficient and fast.

A good start makes all the difference

Choose HP 300 and benefit from:

• Fast digestibility and absorption for optimal growth and performance

• Maximum protein utilization for a low feed conversion rate and high return on investment

• Reduced environmental impact due to low nitrogen excretion

• A proven safe ingredient already used by highly productive farmers in 52 countries around the world

Figure 1. In laboratory trials, HP 300 had a higher digestibility speed than other processed soy proteins, potato protein and fish meal. Source: Bible et al, 2023, ASAS-CSAS-WSASAS Annual Meeting.