Description
Vegetarian DHA-rich oil fermented from heterotrophic marine microalgae of the genus Schizochytrium. The principal vegetarian and fish-free source of long-chain omega-3 DHA for premium pet food and supplements.
Pale yellow to golden oil with a mild, neutral aroma profile that is substantially less marine than fish or krill oils. The cleanliness of the aroma supports finished-product palatability in cat and small-dog applications where strong fish aroma can affect acceptance.
We supply pet-grade DHA Algal Oil from manufacturers in China holding ISO, Halal, Kosher and other certifications relevant to the product and production. Non-GMO and organic-certified grades available on request.
Common market grades include standard DHA algal oil at ≥ 35 percent DHA, high-concentration grade at ≥ 40 to 50 percent DHA, and the sn-2 positionally enriched grade for premium puppy and kitten growth formulas.
Bulk and reduced-MOQ shipments. Batch-level COA covering DHA composition, peroxide and anisidine values, oxidative stability, residual solvents, heavy metals, and microbiology.
Introduction
Schizochytrium is a heterotrophic marine protist (formally a thraustochytrid) that naturally accumulates very high levels of DHA in its biomass. Industrial production by fed-batch fermentation on glucose and other carbon substrates yields a controlled, traceable, and fully vegetarian source of long-chain omega-3 DHA, independent of wild fishery dynamics.
The original commercial development of fermented algal DHA in the 1990s targeted infant formula applications. Pet-food adoption followed in the 2000s and 2010s as premium and natural-positioned brands sought fish-free omega-3 alternatives for allergen-sensitive diets and for consumer audiences preferring vegetarian sourcing.
Process steps include fermentation, cell harvest, gentle cell disruption, oil extraction by mechanical or solvent route, and oxidation-controlled refining and deodorization. The finished oil is typically protected by tocopherols, ascorbyl palmitate, or rosemary extract for oxidative stability over the shelf life of finished pet products.
Regulatory status in pet food is established under AAFCO algal-oil categories in North America and corresponding categories in the EU, UK, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. Non-GMO certification is widely available; some Schizochytrium production strains are conventionally selected and qualify for non-GMO project certification, while others are recombinant and do not.
Where it is used
- Vegetarian and fish-free premium pet supplements and functional diets for dogs and cats
- Puppy and kitten growth formulas; DHA supports neural and retinal development during the early life window
- Senior-pet cognitive support nutraceuticals
- Hypoallergenic and limited-ingredient diet (LID) DHA supplementation for fish-allergic dogs and cats
- Pregnancy and lactation support diets for breeding bitches and queens
- Coat and skin barrier support supplements where DHA-specific positioning is preferred to mixed EPA-DHA blends
- Topcoat oil application on premium dry kibble, freeze-dried, and air-dried formats
- Functional treats and soft chews positioned around cognitive and developmental support claims
Technical data
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Pale yellow to golden oil |
| DHA content | ≥ 35.0% (standard) or ≥ 40.0% (high-concentration grade) |
| Total omega-3 | ≥ 40.0% |
| Peroxide value | ≤ 5 meq/kg |
| Anisidine value | ≤ 20 |
| TOTOX | ≤ 26 |
| Free fatty acids (as oleic acid) | ≤ 0.3% |
| Moisture and volatiles | ≤ 0.1% |
| Unsaponifiable matter | ≤ 4.5% |
| Heavy metals (as Pb) | ≤ 0.1 mg/kg |
| Mercury | ≤ 0.1 mg/kg |
| Total plate count | ≤ 1,000 cfu/g |
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