Faba Bean Protein Replaced Animal Plasma in Pet Food
Recent technical trials confirmed that faba bean protein functions as a viable alternative for animal plasma in pet food.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Vegetarian
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Researchers have identified faba bean protein concentrate as a successful functional replacement for animal blood plasma in wet pet food. These trials suggest that plant-based alternatives can effectively replicate the texture and firmness of traditional meat-derived ingredients.
Why it matters
The transition to plant-based ingredients in pet food helps manufacturers reduce dependence on animal-derived proteins. These results offer a pathway for producing high-quality pâté and kibble while maintaining the physical properties that pet owners expect.
Testing determined that a 35% inclusion level of faba bean starch-rich flour increases kibble expansion in grain-free products. For wet food, replacing 25% of plasma in chunks in gravy resulted in no significant change in firmness.
The players
BENEO
This company specializes in the production of plant-based functional ingredients for the human and pet food industries.
Passion4Food
This organization manages technical trials and product development research for food manufacturers.
Maygane Ronsmans
She serves as an industry expert who presented the recent findings on faba bean applications in pet nutrition.
The details
Commissioned by BENEO and conducted by Passion4Food, the trials utilized dry fractionation to isolate protein concentrates and starches from faba beans. Scientists evaluated full and partial replacements in various recipes to ensure that pet food maintain necessary texture profiles.
Timeline
Maygane Ronsmans presented the trial results at CIPAL on September 23, 2026.
Culture Shift
The study marks a significant evolution in pet food manufacturing, where the dry fractionation processing method allows for the substitution of animal-derived binders with sustainable legumes. This trend reflects a broader move away from traditional animal byproducts toward more versatile, plant-based functional food science.
Pet owners may soon notice a wider variety of plant-forward pet food options on retail shelves that utilize faba bean ingredients. These formulations offer a way for consumers to choose products that rely less on animal-derived binders without sacrificing kibble texture.
The takeaway
The use of faba bean protein offers a scalable solution for maintaining the structural integrity of processed pet food products. Manufacturers can leverage these findings to optimize recipe formulations for improved sustainability and supply chain efficiency.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest innovations in Vegetarian food applications.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Petfood Industry Community.
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