The gut is one of the most influential systems in an animal’s body. Research suggests that around 70% of the immune system resides in the intestine, and that the gut produces most of the body’s serotonin — the hormone associated with feelings of wellbeing. In other words, the digestive tract is closely tied to how a pet defends itself against illness and how it feels day to day.

When the gut loses its balance, the consequences reach well beyond digestion. Pets may become prone not only to digestive upsets but also to weakened immunity, poorer nutrient absorption, and a gradual decline in overall health. For pet owners, gut health is therefore best understood as a foundation for long-term wellbeing rather than a narrow digestive concern. Recognising this, Vietnam Food Joint Stock Company (VNF) turned to shrimp raw material as a source of bioactive ingredients that can address the problem at its root.

Vietnam Food Joint Stock Company (VNF) pairs shrimp-derived Peptides with Chitosan to act on three fronts

From shrimp raw material, Vietnam Food Joint Stock Company (VNF) developed its Peptides & Chitosan duo to support pet gut health through three main mechanisms. Peptides provide an easily absorbed source of hydrolysed protein that helps optimise digestion and limit the formation of harmful substances in the gut. Chitosan, in turn, helps balance the microbiome, keep harmful bacteria in check, and strengthen the protective barrier of the intestinal lining.

Scientific literature points to the combined value of the two ingredients. In studies on dogs and cats, Chitosan was reported to increase beneficial bacteria by up to 18 times, reduce harmful bacteria by up to 70%, and cut damage to the gut barrier by nearly 50%. In a separate study, Peptides supported a 50% rise in antibodies and improved immune-activating cytokines by up to 200% — contributing to better gut health and stronger overall health in pets.

Gut-focused nutrition points to healthier pets overall

Taken together, these findings show that Peptides & Chitosan act not only within the gut but also help improve a pet’s overall health, working through three foundations: a balanced microbiome, a reinforced intestinal barrier, and optimised digestion. As pet owners increasingly look for nutrition backed by evidence, ingredients that support the gut are moving to the centre of how the industry thinks about animal wellbeing.

With more than a decade of experience developing shrimp-derived biological ingredients, Vietnam Food Joint Stock Company (VNF) continues to pursue science-based nutrition solutions aimed at sustainable pet health. Readers can explore more in-depth content on shrimp-derived nutrition solutions such as Peptides and Chitosan on the VNF website.

In modern animal production, egg yolk colour, meat and skin colour, and the vividness of ornamental fish directly affect commercial value. To meet these targets, many producers turn to synthetic pigment additives, but this increases dependence on chemical inputs and offers limited antioxidant benefit for the animals themselves. Demand is therefore growing for a natural pigment source that is safe and carries additional functional value.

Against this backdrop, Vietnam Food Joint Stock Company (VNF) develops NaturXanthin, a natural astaxanthin extracted from Vietnamese shrimp raw material, offering an alternative to synthetic additives.

Vietnam Food applies natural astaxanthin with a dual functional value

VNF‘s NaturXanthin is positioned around two core functions. The first is antioxidant capacity: astaxanthin is reported to scavenge free radicals about 21 times more strongly and to quench singlet oxygen about 50 times more strongly than the synthetic form, helping protect cells and support immunity and growth in animals. The second is pigmentation: thanks to its natural origin, high biocompatibility and ability to bind to various proteins, the natural astaxanthin in NaturXanthin supports the formation of natural red pigment in meat, skin and eggs.

Developing the product from shrimp raw material also allows Vietnam Food Joint Stock Company (VNF) to make use of a carotenoid-rich by-product stream, adding value to the shrimp value chain.

Animal trials show improvements in colour and growth

The performance of NaturXanthin has been observed in field trials. In laying ducks in Malaysia, supplementing NaturXanthin raised yolk colour scores by more than 14 points; yolk colour was better retained after processing and oxidation was limited during the storage of salted eggs. In Koi fish in Vietnam, the supplemented group showed red coloration more than 40% higher than the control group, alongside clear improvements in growth and survival rate.

According to Vietnam Food Joint Stock Company (VNF), these results indicate that natural astaxanthin can enhance the sensory value of end products while also supporting animal health.

Developing NaturXanthin from Vietnamese shrimp reflects a broader industry shift: moving from synthetic additives toward biological solutions that valorise by-products, linking better product quality with sustainable production and the circular economy.

Overuse of chemical pesticides in farming brings a chain of consequences: residues on produce, degradation of soil microbial life, and health risks for both growers and consumers. The need for a biological crop protection solution that is effective yet environmentally friendly is therefore growing urgent. At the same time, Vietnam’s shrimp-processing industry generates large volumes of shrimp heads and shells each year; left unused, they are both an environmental burden and a waste of valuable chitin.

Vietnam Food Joint Stock Company (VNF) turns shrimp by-products into crop-protecting ChitoBlossom (Chitosan)

Vietnam Food Joint Stock Company (VNF) has chosen to extract value from shrimp by-products through biotechnology. From chitin — a natural derivative found in crustaceans, insects, fungi and algae — the company extracts and refines ChitoBlossom (Chitosan), an active ingredient with four notable functions: antifungal and antibacterial action, gel- and film-forming, coagulation and complex-forming, and biostimulation for crops.

In terms of mechanism, ChitoBlossom (Chitosan) works on two levels. On stems and leaves, chitosan disrupts the cell-wall structure of fungi and bacteria through electrostatic interaction, while forming a film that blocks pathogen development. In the root zone, it directly inhibits nematode activity, promotes beneficial soil microorganisms, activates the plant’s natural defense system, and helps crops resist oxidation and stress. In short, chitosan does not merely kill pathogens — it “trains” plants to defend themselves.

Trial results point to potential for replacing chemical pesticides

According to trials conducted by Vietnam Food Joint Stock Company (VNF), on Dai Thom 8 rice, spraying Oligochitosan twice at the heading stage reduced the rate of dirty-panicle (grain-spotting) infection by about 17% compared with the control — on par with a commercial product but more cost-efficient. For nematode control, the Kito-Nim preparation delivered over 80% eradication efficacy after 48 hours.

These results suggest that chitosan derivatives such as ChitoBlossom (Chitosan), Oligochitosan and Kito-Nim can control pests while nourishing the soil ecosystem — something chemical pesticides struggle to achieve at once. VNF says similar trials are being expanded across durian, rice and vegetable crops.

From shrimp by-products to sustainable agriculture The story of Vietnam Food Joint Stock Company (VNF) points to a direction for modern agriculture: turning a discarded by-product into a “biological shield” for crops. As biological crop protection gradually replaces conventional chemicals, farmers gain another option for healthier plants, microbe-rich soil and safer produce — contributing to sustainable farming and to the circular economy of Vietnam’s shrimp industry.