PSVIII-9 - Consumer acceptance of corn fermented protein compared to traditional yeast and dried distillers’ grain in extruded dog food

Abstract: Sustainability is one of the trending keywords in the pet food industry today. Utilizing protein-rich fermented co-products such as corn fermented protein (CFP) can promote sustainable pet food. However, co-product ingredients have been avoided in pet food due to negative consumer perception. Unlike traditional dried distillers’ grain, corn fermented protein (CFP) contains 50% protein due to a substantial yeast component, which may improve consumer perception. The objective was to evaluate the effect of CFP inclusion in dry dog food on consumer acceptance. Treatments included a control diet (CON, no fermented co-products), a brewer’s dried yeast diet (BDY, 3.5% brewer’s dried yeast), a distiller’s dried grains with solubles plus brewer’s dried yeast diet (DDGS+BDY, 17.5% DDGS + 2.5% brewer’s dried yeast), and a corn fermented protein diet (CFP, 17.5% corn fermented protein). The consumer acceptance data was collected from 104 dog owners who purchase dry dog food and feed their dogs during a central location test. Data was collected using RedJade software and analyzed by one-way ANOVA (Sensory XLStat package) to determine significant differences among overall, appearance, color, aroma, and assumed dog liking. The effects were assessed using Fisher’s Least Significant Difference with significance at P < 0.05. All treatments were equally liked (P > 0.05) based on 9-point scale. More consumers showed liking in aroma for yeast containing treatments (CFP, n=51; DDGS+BDY, n=46; BDY, n=45) than CON (n=37). Consumer opinion of pet food ingredients were also evaluated. Chicken and salmon were considered most appropriate ( >85%) by consumers, while brewer’s dried yeast, corn meal, yeast, and corn gluten meal were considered appropriate from less than 10% of consumers. The most inappropriate ingredients according to consumers were corn gluten meal ( >50%), corn meal, brewer’s yeast, dry yeast, and yeast. In conclusion, consumers liked the kibble that contained BDY, DDGS, or CFP at the same level as the control diet when evaluated based on sensory perceptions. However, there is a need to improve consumer perception of corn and yeast ingredients to promote sustainable pet foods.