Date: 23/04/2026

Gastrointestinal health plays a central role in canine nutrition, as it directly influences food digestion, nutrient absorption, gut microbiota balance and immune response. It is therefore considered one of the key pillars of pet well-being and physiological performance.

In this context, BioActio Health & Performance, developed by MBRF Ingredients, functions not only as a protein source but also as a functional ingredient, with the potential to positively influence gastrointestinal health parameters.

As a hydrolyzed protein, it contributes to improving dietary efficiency from a digestive standpoint, enabling better nutrient utilization and promoting multiple benefits for pet health.

What you will find in this article:

BioActio: technical characteristics and application in pet nutrition

BioActio Health & Performance is a MBRF Ingredients Chicken Protein Hydrolysate, obtained through enzymatic hydrolysis, developed for animal nutrition applications, including dog formulations.

Protein hydrolysis is the process of breaking peptide bonds in proteins, generating free amino acids, short peptides and larger fragments. In pet nutrition, this mechanism is essential, as it improves digestibility, absorption and protein functionality in the gastrointestinal tract. When performed through enzymatic processes, hydrolysis preserves the nutritional value of the raw material due to strict control of parameters such as pH, temperature and pressure.

Proper monitoring of the degree of hydrolysis is also essential for product standardization. The result is a protein hydrolysate with more uniform properties, suitable for formulation requirements.

In the case of BioActio Health & Performance, controlled enzymatic hydrolysis generates low molecular weight protein fractions and bioactive peptides, which perform physiological functions such as supporting intestinal integrity and modulating biological responses. The product contains peptides with molecular weight below 10,000 Da and 22% free amino acids, ensuring greater solubility, absorption efficiency and nutrient utilization.

The use of this type of protein hydrolysate is also associated with a lower load of protein residues in the large intestine and, consequently, a reduction in undesirable fermentative processes. This effect contributes to improved fecal quality and greater stability of the gut microbiota.

BioActio Health & Palatability combines these benefits with sensory attributes, supporting feed intake, particularly in situations where consumption is a limiting factor, without compromising functional properties.

Clinical evidence in dogs with chronic enteropathy

Studies show that hydrolyzed proteins can contribute to improved gastrointestinal health in pets. In a prospective evaluation of dogs with chronic enteropathy, a condition affecting the gastrointestinal system and characterized by persistent symptoms (for more than three weeks), such as diarrhea and/or vomiting, 80% of the animals showed a positive response to a hypoallergenic diet formulated with hydrolyzed chicken protein, with improvement in clinical signs.

Dogs included in the study followed a structured feeding protocol consisting of sequential elimination and challenge phases. In the first stage, dogs received a hypoallergenic diet for 30 days, designed to significantly reduce allergenic compounds, with BioActio Health & Performance included at 27% of the formulation. This was followed by a 15-day challenge diet, formulated with multiple protein sources and ingredients commonly associated with adverse reactions, such as non-hydrolyzed poultry proteins, beef protein, soy, corn, rice and gluten. Both diets were formulated by Unesp, located in Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil.

In the first stage of the study, 8 out of 10 dogs showed a positive response to the diet containing BioActio Health & Performance.

What are the benefits for gastrointestinal health in dogs

The use of hydrolyzed proteins in pet nutrition is associated with a range of physiological effects relevant to the gastrointestinal tract. These benefits result primarily from increased digestibility, reduced antigenic load and modulation of the intestinal environment. The main effects described in the literature are outlined below, with different levels of evidence.

Increased digestibility and nutrient utilization

The presence of low molecular weight peptides supports absorption in the small intestine, reducing the need for enzymatic processing and increasing dietary efficiency. This profile is associated with lower digestive burden and improved utilization of ingested nutrients, making the ingredient suitable for formulations intended for animals with gastrointestinal sensitivity, those in clinical recovery or diets requiring greater digestive predictability.

Reduction of protein residues in the intestine and improved fecal quality

Lower levels of undigested protein reaching the colon reduce proteolytic fermentation and are associated with firmer stools, lower volume and reduced odor. For this reason, hydrolyzed proteins are recommended for inclusion in diets focused on digestive stability and control of gastrointestinal disorders.

Lower antigenic potential, with a hypoallergenic effect

Protein fragmentation reduces the presence of structures that can be recognized by the immune system, decreasing the antigenic potential of the ingredient. This effect is associated with a lower risk of adverse food reactions, supporting the use of hydrolyzed proteins in hypoallergenic diet formulations, especially for animals with food allergies.

Formulating diets aimed at gastrointestinal health requires an approach that goes beyond protein supply and considers how the ingredient interacts with the animal’s digestive physiology. In this context, BioActio Health & Performance stands out by combining attributes that address key demands in modern pet nutrition. It is an ingredient aligned with the technical evolution of the sector, where functionality, nutritional precision and intestinal performance are evaluated in an integrated manner.

Want to explore BioActio applications in dog formulations in more detail? On the MBRF Ingredients portal, you can find additional technical information about the product line, its differentiators and application possibilities in pet nutrition.