Date: 06/10/2025

In the current scenario of the food and animal nutrition industry, there is a growing demand for solutions that combine high nutritional value, production efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. Among the different nutrients, protein occupies a prominent position, both for its essential role in growth and health maintenance and for its direct influence on the performance of products and feed.

In this context, the use of ingredients with high protein concentration has established itself as one of the most effective strategies for optimizing formulations and reducing costs.

The logic is simple, and we will explain it: Ingredients with higher protein density allow for a reduction in the volume required in the formulation, provided they have good digestibility and an adequate amino acid profile to meet the nutritional requirements of humans and animals. This contributes to simpler, more flexible, and sustainable formulations, with a direct impact on the economy.

In addition, ingredients with high protein content can offer functional advantages, such as technological properties valued by the industry, including emulsification, water retention, and stability and, when properly processed, greater digestibility and metabolic utilization.

In this blog, we will explore in detail:

Technical impact of protein density on formulations

A study published in 2006 by Brazilian researchers, based on FAO/WHO standards, highlights the importance of evaluating proteins not only by quantity, but also by the quality of their amino acid profile, digestibility, and bioavailability. Ingredients with higher protein concentration may allow for lower inclusion volumes, provided they have good nutritional quality, which contributes to more flexible and efficient formulations. Friedman M. (1996) already pointed out that foods with higher protein density offer better nutritional balance and greater metabolic efficiency.

Economic efficiency and cost-effectiveness in protein ingredients

Ingredients with high protein concentration have a positive impact on production costs. The reduced need for inclusion in the formulation lowers transportation, storage, and mixing expenses, in addition to allowing for greater predictability in the cost per unit of available protein.

Recent studies indicate that improving the quality of feed ingredients, including the use of more concentrated and digestible protein sources, contributes to greater production efficiency and reduced operating costs without compromising animal performance. In addition, according to FAO/WHO (1991), protein efficiency is directly related to the digestibility and metabolic utilization of essential amino acids.

Ingredients with high protein bioavailability allow for better feed conversion and less waste, which contributes to the sustainability of the production chain.

More than financial gains, the adoption of concentrated protein ingredients brings functional and technological benefits that increase the quality of the final product, a topic we explore in the next topic.

Functionality and performance of proteins in food and feed

More than just a source of nutrition, protein is also a functional ingredient. Concentrated proteins contribute significantly to technological properties such as emulsification, water retention, gel formation, and texture stability, characteristics that are valued in food formulation.

In animal nutrition, functionality is directly related to digestibility and metabolic utilization efficiency. The quality of the protein ingested—determined by factors such as solubility, amino acid profile, and resistance to ruminal degradation—directly influences productive performance, affecting metrics such as weight gain, feed conversion, and intestinal health.

This balance between nutritional value, technological functionality, and cost-effectiveness makes concentrated protein ingredients a strategic choice for optimized formulations. It is in this context that MBRF Ingredients positions itself as an innovation partner, offering solutions that combine technical performance, sustainability, and economic efficiency.

MBRF Ingredients differential: expertise, innovation, and integrated solutions

MBRF Ingredients offers more than just ingredients with high protein concentration: the business unit integrates expertise in nutrition, cutting-edge technology, and a commitment to sustainability, delivering complete solutions for the food and animal nutrition industry.

An example of this differential is the BioActio line, developed through enzymatic hydrolysis, a process that converts proteins into peptides with lower molecular mass and free amino acids, promoting high digestibility and better metabolic utilization. Ingredients with these characteristics are recognized for their rapid intestinal absorption and superior protein efficiency, especially in high-performance formulations.

In addition to providing quality protein, the bioactive peptides present in the BioActio line perform additional physiological functions, such as modulating immunity, antioxidant action, and improving intestinal integrity, contributing to productive performance in different animal species.

Another differentiator of MBRF Ingredients is its operation within a circular economy model. By using co-products from BRF's integrated chain, such as offal and viscera, the company transforms underutilized raw materials into high value-added ingredients, reducing waste and increasing the efficiency of the production chain.

With solutions such as the BioActio line, MBRF Ingredients demonstrates its ability to combine protein concentration, technological functionality, cost efficiency, and environmental responsibility, positioning itself as a strategic partner for companies seeking to optimize formulations, reduce costs, and ensure superior nutritional performance.

Final considerations

The use of ingredients with high protein concentration is an effective strategy for optimizing food and feed formulations, promoting quality nutrition, technological functionality, and economic efficiency. Reducing the volume of inclusion required allows for greater flexibility in formulations, improves nutrient utilization, and contributes to the sustainability of the production chain.

MBRF Ingredients stands out by offering integrated and innovative solutions, such as the BioActio portfolio, which combines enzymatic hydrolysis technology, high digestibility, and additional functional benefits, such as antioxidant action, immune support, and intestinal health. These attributes promote protein efficiency and superior performance in applications in the food and animal nutrition industry.

Investing in concentrated ingredients therefore means combining science, technology, and sustainability, providing concrete competitive advantages and consistent results for companies seeking nutritional excellence and cost optimization.