Using black soldier flies (BSF), Maltento is at the vanguard of transforming global pet feed industries through its product innovation and deep understanding of flavour concepts. After several years of research, investment and growth, the company has developed feed solutions that are better for our animals and the planet.

“We farm BSF on-site to convert agro-processing waste, such as spent grain from the loal beer industry, into high-performance, nutrient-dense proteins for pet and aquaculture feed. Ingesting spent brewers' grain enriches fly larvae with functional proteins, healthy fats, and essential amino acids. After years of scientific research, trials, and global growth, we’re proud to announce that we are now in a position to provide stakeholders in the international animal feed industry with access to our world-class feed solutions, with improved functionality and performance driven by the unique profile of insect proteins, exoskeletons, and lipids” shares Dean Smorenburg, CEO at Maltento. 

Ryan Ponquett, Lead Scientist at Maltento, is at the forefront of developing the flavour profiles behind every product category at Maltento. 

"Cooking is chemistry," Ponquett explains: “The Maillard reaction, which occurs when reducing sugars react with amino acids under heat, creates the savory flavors that dogs love. By applying this knowledge to alternative protein sources, we are able to craft dog food that is tasty, nutritious and far more environmentally friendly than any product that uses meat derivatives instead.”

He adds that: “The world is gaining significant momentum as it turns towards greener alternatives. Black soldier flies offer us a source of greener protein that can be cultivated and harvested at scale without much of the ecological impact had by other sources of protein, like pork, beef, or mutton. The real achievement here has been the fact that we’ve developed flavours for a sustainable product category that is now able to compete with global giants in our sector.”

Continued product innovation at Maltento remains at the epicenter of the company’s success, following an earlier announcement in July regarding the astounding results of its fish feed coating. A recent study revealed that Maltento’s high protein digest product, Palate+, has led to substantial changes to the well-being of Rainbow trout, including increased immune system responses and a lower mortality rate. The high protein digest is produced from protein-rich larvae that are farmed from BSF, which form one of the few insect species approved to be used as feed in aquaculture in the European Union. 

The study was conducted between October and November 2023 by Cape Town-based marine surveyor company MariHealth Solutions, and took place at the Sanlei trout farm in Lesotho. Sanlei is the first African aquaculture business to obtain the prestigious Best Aquaculture Practices certification as developed by the Global Seafood Alliance, indicating the farm's commitment to established industry standards for environmentally and socially responsible seafood practices. 

The study compared the blood proteome profiles between two groups of fish; one was fed food supplemented by Palate+, and the other was fed a standard basal diet. Smorenburg explains that the analysis demonstrated enhanced immunity in trout fed Palate+. These fish exhibited stronger immune defense responses compared to those on the basal diet. The boost in immunity likely due to the presence of Chitin and unique proteins in Palate+, which have been shown to stimulate the fish's immune system.

Smorenburg and Ponquett continue to demonstrate that Maltento’s products can secure long-term health benefits - sustainably - for our pets and the aquaculture sector through the study of insect biotechnology.