Carbohydrates
A good example is the use of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates form a very large percentage of the ingredients in most pelletised Koi food, in general these consist of cheap bulking ingredients used in the livestock industry such as: wheat flour, maize meal, tapioca meal etc. There is in fact; nothing wrong with the presence of carbohydrates in Koi feed provided it is of good quality and contains as little potential sugars as possible e.g. a low GI (Glycaemic Index). Carbohydrates consist of starches, simple and complex sugars. They often have ideal properties as a binder, which serves to keep all the ingredients together.
However, carbohydrates do have certain big disadvantages. Nearly all Koi feed contains carbohydrates with very high levels of sugars (high GI). The fact that sugars WILL become fat with detrimental health effects is also very well known. Carbohydrates are converted by the body into sugars (glucose) to be burned as energy. The unused portion is converted to fat, which accumulates in the liver and muscle tissue as glycogen. This condition is called Carbohydrate Overload. The symptoms of this are high blood sugars, an excess strain to the liver and lack of hunger. This manifests itself by an enlarged fatty liver caused by the excessive storage of glycogen; the net effect will result in reduced levels of liver function. Such deposits are not only unhealthy but can greatly reduce the lifespan of our Koi. It is difficult to say just how much the feeding of excessive fast carbohydrates to our Koi does damage, but we find it essential that a well-balanced Koi food must never contribute to the early demise of our fish.
Koi living in closed systems with little need for high performance exploits have little need for rapid introduction of sugars into the bloodstream. This is totally unnecessary and makes the rapid rise in blood sugar levels unwanted. ProBites contain only carbohydrates with very low sugar levels. This way, the carbohydrates used in ProBites not only contribute to the health and lifespan of your fish, but also to a slow, natural and thus efficient digestion.
Quality control
Almost all the raw materials used in the production of ProBites are ‘Food Grade’.
This means that almost all of our ingredients are fit for human consumption. These raw materials are constantly supervised and inspected to be sure they meet standards of quality such as those stipulated in the GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice. A worldwide recognized control and management system for the manufacturing and quality control testing of foods and pharmaceutical products) and HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points is a systematic preventive approach to food safety.
A system used at all stages of food production and preparation processes). Only a small portion of our ingredients are specifically intended for sole use in the aquatic environment and therefore not normally for human consumption but even then these are of the highest quality available. ProBites is living proof that a Koi food can be both high quality and affordable at the same time.
Production techniques
Because it is important that ProBites retains as many of its nutrient values as possible, ProBites is manufactured using the same low temperature extrusion techniques employed in the production of food for human consumption. This preserves many fragile nutrients and vitamins as well as retaining the full taste and smell. After all, smell and taste are the most important factors which Koi use to judge the quality of any food given to them. We are proud to state that even though ProBites have no synthetic taste, smell or other synthetic additives, Koi still exhibit an irresistible attraction to ProBites. Because of this, Koi remain continually attracted to ProBites as it is a tasty nutritional product.
Extensive tests
The growth factor
Needless to say we have taken time to examine the specific wishes and needs that koi lovers demand of their feed as well as their expectations of what a good quality Koi food should achieve. The most evident of these demands is that a Koi food should allow a fish to grow well. Research has shown that growth in a Koi can be best achieved through the use of protein derived from fresh and salt water habitats with a high biological protein value. These kinds of proteins most closely resemble those of which a Koi is made and are therefore most quickly and efficiently converted to muscle tissue. Insects are also suitable for this purpose and have the added attraction of having an attractive smell and taste Koi find irresistible.
Fats and oils
In order to properly digest its food a Koi also needs fat. The correct fats are not only rich in healthy fatty acids, but are also the source of the energy a Koi needs to digest its food. The healthiest fatty acids and oils are those derived from plants. Once again, the lower the temperatures are in the extraction process, the better the quality of the fatty acids in the oils produced. All fats and oils chosen in the manufacture of ProBites are therefore cold pressed food grade. This combination of quality proteins, oils and fats are a guarantee for unprecedented growth.
The Concentrated Colour Formula™
Another quality that Koi keepers find important when choosing a Koi food is its ability to enhance colour. There are many different substances that can influence the colour of Koi, but many of these have the unfortunate side affect of colouring the water or even worse, affecting the white of our Koi. Much extra thought was given to this problem during the development of ProBites. This has resulted in the use of an extraordinary combination of raw materials that naturally stimulate and support the production of pigments. We have labelled this combination, Concentrated Colour Formula™ (CCF). All together the ProBites range is truly a new generation koi food that guaranties results and gives you everything you ever looked for in a Koi food. Mike van Zijl.