By Brent Mayabb, DVM

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Like corn gluten meal, wheat gluten is derived by processing whole wheat. First it is cleaned to eliminate the flour and the bran. Next it is steeped to help release the germ. The wheat is then ground to completely release the germ from the gluten. Centrifugation separates the two portions. Further centrifugation separates the gluten and the starch portions. Drying the gluten portion yields wheat gluten in a powder form. As you can see, the process is very similar to the way corn gluten meal is extracted.

Now that you know how we obtain wheat gluten, why do we use it?

1. Wheat gluten is highly digestible.

2. Wheat gluten contains a high percentage of protein.

3. It contains the amino acid glutamine.

Wheat gluten is a protein that is 99% digestible. Take a moment to consider that. What other protein sources can we name that approach this level of digestibility? There are a small group of proteins termed LIP's (limited-indigestible proteins) that exceed 90% digestibility. In this group are hydrolyzed soy protein isolate, egg, casein, chicken protein isolate, and wheat gluten. These are all very high quality proteins that are digested in the small intestine. This allows us to make formulas that have high protein content but reduced fermentation to help control flatulence and litter box odors. Because there is reduced substrate for the colonic bacteria, there is improved stool quality as well.

In addition to it high digestibility, wheat gluten is 80% protein. Its amino acid spectrum is complimentary to other protein sources. We're not suggesting wheat gluten be the only protein source in a formula, but as one of multiple sources. By using multiple protein sources, we are able to not only meet the pet's amino acid needs, but to provide a higher plane of nutrition that will actually prevent disease.

Glutamine is a five carbon essential amino acid. It is a precursor of nucleic acids, and is essential for protein synthesis. It also plays a role in conserving muscle mass during intense activity. Additionally, glutamine helps preserve GI health as it is the preferred fuel of small intestine mucosa. In certain disease states, glutamine levels may decline. Wheat gluten contains almost 40% glutamine, so it is an excellent source of this amino acid.

While many competitors may deride wheat as a "cheap" ingredient, bear in mind we are talking about wheat gluten, not wheat in its whole form. There is a lot of processing involved to recover gluten, so the descriptor "cheap" does not apply. Wheat has been implicated as an allergen, particularly in Irish Setters. The truth of the matter is that wheat is not highly allergenic, and Irish Setters have a particular disease which is not an allergy to wheat, but instead is an intolerance to gliadin which is a protein found in wheat, barley, oats, etc. These dogs will usually have to be under the care of a vet and have to eat a very speci?c diet.

Wheat gluten is in the category of LIPs, and its utilization allows us to develop certain formulas that were heretofore not feasible. It facilitates high protein with odor reduction. It provides a source of glutamine. Overall, wheat gluten provides a highly-digestible and very useful form of protein.