Shrimp meal and shrimp hydrolysate

Shrimp-based raw materials are used specifically in pet food, but differ significantly in terms of composition, technological function and area of application. The following explanations are based on product-specific analyses by animalPro nutrition GmbH and classify them according to technical criteria.

Shrimp meal. Protein and minerals from marine raw materials

The shrimp meal offered by animalPro nutrition GmbH is a single feed of animal origin in category 3. It is produced from shrimp by-products and steam-dried to prevent heat-induced protein damage.

The analytical figures show a mineral-rich protein:

• Crude protein at least 50 per cent.

• Crude fat at least 9 per cent.

• Crude ash maximum 23 per cent.

• Calcium at least 4 per cent, last analysis: 7.8 per cent.

• Phosphorus at least 1.5 per cent, last analysis: 1.9 per cent.

Shrimp meal not only provides protein, but is also a significant source of calcium and phosphorus. The increased raw ash content is typical for this raw material and determines the areas of application for shrimp meal. It must be taken into account in recipes, especially in mineral-sensitive applications such as cat food or dietary concepts.

The water content is less than 12 per cent, which helps to ensure stable storage conditions. When stored properly, the shelf life is up to 12 months.

An essential component of shrimp meal is chitin from the shells of shrimp. The typical double-digit chitin content of this raw material increases the crude fibre content and, as the amount used increases, affects the digestibility of the overall recipe. This effect should be taken into account when designing recipes.

Sensory characteristics: Shrimp meal is a pinkish-red, finely ground product with visible shell particles. It has a salty, maritime smell that is significantly milder than that of classic fish meal. Shrimp meal has also been used in aquatics for a long time. There, it serves as a technologically established source of protein with high acceptance and natural appeal, especially in feed for ornamental fish. The combination of protein, marine aroma and shell particles is technologically established and well researched in this area. Some of this experience can also be transferred to applications in pet food.

Shrimp hydrolysate. Hydrolysed peptides for targeted use.

Shrimp hydrolysate is also a category 3 feed material. It is enzymatically hydrolysed and then spray-dried to convert proteins into smaller, easily soluble peptides.

The analysis shows the following profile:

• Crude protein at least 60 per cent.

• Crude fat approximately 10 per cent.

• Crude ash maximum 18 per cent.

• Calcium approximately 1.15 per cent.

• Phosphorus approximately 0.81 per cent.

• Sodium at least 1.4 per cent.

The water content is less than 5 per cent, which contributes to microbiological stability. When stored properly, the shelf life is up to 12 months.

Despite its significantly lower calcium and phosphorus content compared to shrimp meal, shrimp hydrolysate still has a significant raw ash content. This is mainly due to soluble salts, which are typical of marine raw materials.

A key feature of shrimp hydrolysate is its high proportion of very small protein building blocks. In relation to the total product, this corresponds to at least 55 per cent low-molecular-weight peptides, predominantly below 1200 daltons.

Due to its high proportion of short-chain peptides, shrimp hydrolysate is particularly soluble and has a high protein availability.

In practice, shrimp hydrolysate is often used to increase acceptance and as a flavour carrier, for example in dry and wet food recipes for fussy animals, in functional snacks or in special recipes with increased protein availability requirements.

Sensory characteristics: The shrimp hydrolysate is a very fine, homogeneous, rust-red-brown powder. It has a pronounced odour and corresponds to the typical sensory profile of enzymatically produced protein hydrolysates.

Legal classification and permitted animal species

Shrimp meal and shrimp hydrolysate are processed animal proteins of category 3 and are subject to clear legal requirements.

They are permitted for use in dogs and cats, ornamental fish and aquaculture fish, as well as in animals not intended for human consumption.

They are not permitted for use in food-producing land animals such as pigs, poultry, cattle, sheep or goats.

This distinction is legally justified. Fish meal is an expressly permitted exception. Crustaceans such as shrimp are not legally considered fish and are therefore not covered by this exception.

Raw material security and declaration

The raw materials originate from a specialised shrimp processing facility in South America. Processing takes place in facilities that are designed exclusively for shrimp. This minimises the risk of foreign protein contamination at the process level.

Upon import, the raw materials are subject to veterinary inspection. Heavy metals are analysed in batches. The levels of lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic are below the applicable legal limits and are typical for marine raw materials.

In addition, the raw materials are tested in batches for ethoxyquin and nitrites to ensure consistent quality and product safety.

The single-protein property is documented. For the shrimp hydrolysate, a DNA analysis is also available, which shows no fish DNA above the detection limit. Salmonella was not detected, and Enterobacteriaceae was below the detection limit.

The raw materials are declared as crustacean meal (shrimp) or hydrolysed crustacean meal (shrimp). Both products are straight feedingstuffs.

Classification for practical use

The analysis shows that shrimp meal and shrimp hydrolysate fulfil different functions.

Shrimp meal provides protein, insoluble shell components and relevant amounts of calcium and phosphorus.

Shrimp hydrolysate provides highly digestible peptides with moderate mineral content and is particularly suitable for functional applications.

Proper application requires knowledge of these differences and consideration of them in the formulation. This is precisely where animalPro nutrition GmbH positions itself as a raw material partner with a transparent database and clear technical classification.

Kurzübersicht Garnelenmehl vs. Garnelenhydrolysat

Character	Shrimp meal	Shrimp hydrolysate
Raw material character	Flour with husk particles	Enzymatically hydrolyzed powder
Crude protein	≥ 50 %	≥ 60 %
Crude ash	≤ 23 %	≤ 18 %
Calcium/Phosphorus	higher	significantly lower
Peptide content	mostly intact protein	≥ 55 % Peptide < 1200 Da
Typical application	Protein, mineral content, acceptance, aquatics & pet food	Acceptance, flavor carrier, high digestibility, pet food