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A newly-open-access paper in the journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science (2024) examines a new microbial protein produced through methane fermentation - giving the possibility to identify another protein source that not only meets the nutritional requirements for a dog, but is also one of the most sustainable protein sources available.

Methane-Fermented Microbial Protein: A Game-Changer in Pet Food Sustainability

Interesting News . July 07, 2025

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A newly-open-access paper in the journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science (2024) examines a new microbial protein produced through methane fermentation – giving the possibility to identify another protein source that not only meets the nutritional requirements for a dog, but is also one of the most sustainable protein sources available.

Novel Protein Identified

Single-Cell Microbial Protein – this protein is produced from methane fermentation, allowing the biological conversion of methane gas into microbial biomass with high protein content.

Scientific Findings

Nutritional Characteristics

  • The methane ferment microbial protein identified high levels of essential amino acids appropriate to the dog amino acid profile
  • The protein had excellent digestibility at moderate inclusion levels (5-10%) indicating it can be used in commercially formulated diets as either a supplement or standalone protein source

Safety and Digestive Tolerance

  • Dogs fed in the study with diets of 5-10% inclusion of the microbial protein during the length of the study, and there was no negative health outcomes assessed through hematology, biochemistry, and stool samples.
  • The fecal microbiota composition did not change throughout the study, indicating no disruptions of gut microbes, nor gut function.

Environmental Impact

  • The integration of the protein is made possible by capturing methane, as a greenhouse gas (GHG), and converting it to edible protein biomass, creating a carbon-negative circular bioeconomy.
  • Since methane is often a waste product of agriculture, which introduces a waste valorization approach to turn waste into high-value feed while targeting UN SDG goals for sustainability and climate action.

Pet Food Application

Feature

Relevance to Methane-Fermented Microbial Protein

Protein Quality

High essential amino acid profile, supporting complete canine nutrition

Digestibility

Proven digestible at 5–10% inclusion in formulated diets

Safety Profile

No adverse metabolic, digestive, or microbiome effects in short-term studies

Sustainability

Carbon-negative production from methane; circular bioeconomy application

Versatility

Suitable for dry kibble, wet food, or functional protein inclusion

Methane-Fermented Microbial Protein blog

Next Steps for Pet Food Manufacturers

  1. Inclusion Strategy Development
  • Incorporate a trial for 5% and 10% inclusion levels within either base/formulations or complementary formulations.
  • Incorporate or use as a sustainable partial substitute for animal-based or plant-based protein in the formulation.
  1. Palatability Testing

Pilot test flavour profile acceptance with the targeted dog populations to further refine formula blends.

  1. Regulatory Review
Comply with local ingredient listing and novel protein criteria (FDA, AAFCO, EFSA).
  1. Formulation Optimization
  • Included with a digestible fibre and palatants if required or considered for high-protein dry food applications.
  • Consider the thermal stability of the formulation, if possible, inclusion will be in baked or extruded pet food products.
  1. Marketing Positioning
  • Position as “methane-captured microbial protein”, “climate-smart protein ingredient”, or a “circular nutrition ingredient”.
  • Targets sustainability-driven consumers and unless described functional health pet food segments.
  1. Expand application prospects
  • Explore future path with for use in cat food, small animals, fish and even to include aquatic pets in their diets.
  • Evaluate the impact of long-term feeding and potentially observed synergistic effects with a prebiotics and/or probiotics.

Conclusion

Microbial protein produced through methane fermentation represents an innovative case of both sustainability and nutritional performance. With assured digestibility and safety, and an innovative circular production model, this is next-generation alternative protein for pet foods – and particularly attractive to climate-conscious consumers and brands.

Frontiers in Veterinary Science (2024). Safety and Nutritional Evaluation of Methane-Fermented Microbial Protein in Canine Diets. Volume 11. DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1477182

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