The palatant market, particularly for pet food, is often underestimated. While pets may not be as discerning as humans, their sense of smell is far more developed and is a primary driver in their food selection. Palatants are a critical ingredient in pet food, serving as a flavour coating applied at low inclusion rates to enhance a product’s aroma, taste, and overall acceptance. Without an effective palatant, even the most nutritionally complete and healthy kibble can be rejected, leading to food refusal and potential nutritional deficiencies. Maltento’s palatants address this directly by providing a highly palatable solution that ensures pets consume their food.
Our product range, which includes LivaPal™ (a traditional liver digest), HybridPal™ (an insect + liver blend), and SoloPal™ (a hypoallergenic, insect-only palatant), has shown proven palatability through independent kennel tests in South Africa and the USA. In a recent trial, our LivaPal™ product demonstrated a strong preference in its favour. Beyond just taste, our palatants also provide additional health benefits, such as being suitable for sensitive-skin diets in dogs and supporting gut and immune health in fish. Our products ensure that palatable food is consumed, which in turn supports optimal nutrient absorption, reduces food waste, and drives brand loyalty and repeat purchases.
The efficacy of our palatants is rooted in the unique functional compounds found within our ingredients. The Black Soldier Fly (BSF) components, for example, are naturally rich in lauric acid, which has been shown to have antimicrobial properties and can help support a pet’s innate immune system.
Furthermore, our products contain chitin and its derivatives, which act as prebiotics to promote a healthy gut microbiome and have been shown to have anti-inflammatory benefits. This unique flavour chemistry and nutritional matrix are a result of our focused R&D efforts.
By leveraging our in-house Applications Lab, we are able to perfect these formulations for different species, ensuring our palatants deliver a combination of superior taste and added health benefits, which is a major differentiator in the market.
Beyond dogs and fish, our hypoallergenic insect-based palatants are also ideal for cats and other pets with food sensitivities, as they offer a novel protein source that is less likely to trigger allergic reactions. The success of a pet food is not just about its nutritional content, but its ability to appeal to all of a pet’s senses. Our palatants are designed to address the crucial aspects of aroma, texture, and taste, ensuring that pet food is not only healthy but also irresistible.
