The Australian-grown Blue Shell Mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) is packed with nutritional benefits for both humans and pets.
Scores a dry weight protein value of over 50 per cent+ with eighteen Amino Acids including the 10 essential amino acids for dogs. Also, a valuable nutritional inclusion in equine formulations, aquarium flakes, aquaculture and poultry feed.
The Blue Shell Mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) belongs to the bivalve mollusc family and has a long human dietary history, starting with the indigenous Australians as well as a food source for marine invertebrates, fish and birds. Ten thousand years ago, molluscs provided the additional nutrition that enabled the transition of the hunter gatherers to cultivation and cropping in Africa, the Mediterranean and Asia. Molluscs were also an important food source for Australian coastal indigenous communities.
Blue Shell Mussels are farmed under strict Australian Fisheries control on the east and southern coasts and processed under Government regulated Food Safety Programs. They are a popular restaurant dish and sold in supermarkets across Australia.
For the last 30 years, pet companies have been supplementing their kibble with dried mussel meat powder. This provided a guaranteed nutritional profile and improved flavour and appetite. Hence, most international Pet Food brands include a mussel powder product in their range to boost nutrition.
This year, the Australian Blue Shell Mussel industry reached the scale to provide Australian formulators with a locally sourced sustainable supply of the highest quality mussels. The mussels are farmed in Australia’s most nutrient rich waters to maximise dry matter to sea water which concentrates vital proteins, minerals, vitamins, mucopolysaccharides, betaine and lipids. These high nutritional value molluscs are grown around Jervis Bay and Eden on the NSW South Coast and called “Dalgal” by the local aboriginal peoples.
Let’s look at this in more detail.
1. Proteins including Essential Amino Acids
Essential nutrients must be taken from food as they cannot be synthesized. Essential amino acids are particularly important for the balanced diet of dogs and cats. Blue Shell Mussel contains over 50 per cent protein and includes all the essential amino acids for pets which also underpins longevity.
| Amino Acids Contained in Australian Blue Shell Mussel Powder | |||
| Essential Amino Acids | g/100g | Other Amino Acids | g/100g |
| Arginine Histidine Isoleucine Leucine Lysine Methionine Phenylalanine Threonine Valine Tryptophan | 4.53 1.25 2.71 4.10 4.82 1.29 2.32 2.98 2.87 0.60 | Aspartic acid Serine Glutamic Acid Proline Glycine Alanine Cysteine Tyrosine | 6.12 2.97 7.49 2.67 4.50 3.10 0.97 2.20 |
| Newcastle University Australia March 2025 | |||
2. Vitamins and Minerals
Blue Shell Mussels are farmed in ocean waterways, absorbing the vital minerals in the water. This includes manganese, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc. The blue shell mussels also contain necessary vitamins including A, E, B and Niacin.
3. Lipids – EPA & DHA
Blue shell mussels feed on micro algae in their environment which provide a source of over 30 fatty acids including EPA and DHA, supporting longevity.
4. Flavour & Appetite Enhancement
Blue Shell Mussel powder contains betaine, a feed attractant and appetite stimulant for cats and dogs, helping to boost their nutrient intake which supports increased muscle gain through improved protein synthesis. High in amino acid glutamic acid which provides the much-loved umami taste.
5. Glycosaminoglycans – Cartilage Regeneration
A natural source of the glycosaminoglycans including heparin sulphate, glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate which are important nutrients to support and maintain a healthy physiology.
6. Labelling
Blue Shell Mussel powder is a pure 100 per cent marine nutrient source, single ingredient allowing total transparency for labelling.
7. Sustainable & Low Carbon Footprint
The Blue Shell Mussel aquafarming meets the growing public preference for ethical and economic sustainability. The Ecological Society of America Journal, The Environmental cost of animal source food Report 2018, reviewed 148 assessments of animal source food and concluded that mollusc farming had the lowest impact.
8. Dosage – Recommendations
Australian Blue Shell Mussel powder is a cost effective, healthy and sustainable feed ingredient providing:
- Guaranteed comprehensive pet diets and nutrition
- The nutrients for healthier longer life
- Real value perception to premium brands
- Support to local Australian farmers
This article was written by Karlie Wilson, Technical Director at Green Blue Pet.
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