06/06/2022
Nijikawa koi food is nutrition-based formulas, not just ingredient-based. Why do I say this? Why is this important?
When we design specific formulas for specific species, we need to determine the essential and optimal combinations of nutrition the species need for their overall life functions and our specific goals of raising them. Let’s call it the nutrition matrix for the sake of discussion. Then, we select the right combinations of ingredients to meet all the elements in the matrix.
Nutrition matrix is the key to make the food a premium one. Ingredients are just the tools.
Nutrition Matrix should be stable over time, but not necessary the ingredients. Tools are functional and adjustable. Tools need to be effective and efficient.
Ingredients must be broken down into nutrients and absorbed through the digest system so the body could utilize them for the life functions. A good ingredient must be nutrient rich, highly digestible, and highly palatable.
“Nutrient rich” is easy to understand. For example, we choose brown fish meal over white fish meal because it has more of essential amino acids (EAA).
“Highly Digestible” is a simple concept. If the system could not digest the ingredients, it will become waste regardless how rich nutrients it contains. For example, we choose animal protein sources over plant protein source because it has much less non-digestible fiber. And, high digest means less waste and easy maintenance of your filtration system and water quality.
“Highly Palatable” is also simple to understand. Nothing could be absorbed if the ingredients do not get into the digest system. For example, we choose the ingredients with less involvements of chemical during their production processes.
When you have questions about the choice of one ingredient over another, nutritional values are always the answers.
