While many means of achieving this process exist, the most common method is prolonged heating with hydrochloric acid,[1] sometimes with an enzyme such as pancreatic protease to simulate the naturally occurring hydrolytic process.
[1][2] Examples include cystine from hydrolysis of hair,[3] tryptophan from casein,[4] histidine from red blood cells,[5] and arginine from gelatin.
The US FDA has approved a label for this usage of partially-hydrolyzed proteins in 2017,[9] but a meta-analysis published the same year shows insufficient evidence for this use.
The protein contents of foods are split into peptides that reduce the likelihood of an animal's immune system recognizing an allergic threat.
Hydrolyzed protein diets for cats are often recommended for felines with food allergies and certain types of digestive issues.