SEE | Inside a Cape Town lab that makes 'smoothie' for pets from flies

"Our milkshake brings all the dogs to the town," Ryan Ponquett, lead scientist at Maltento, said proudly as we walk through the Cape Town-based startup's facility, which produces protein from black soldier flies.

Ponquett was sharing the science involved in producing a smoothie which is used as a source of protein in dog food, as well as aquaculture (fish farming). It has to be safe for consumption, and should also smell good, and have the right consistency, he told News24.

Ponquett has been working on perfecting the smoothie, in a new lab at Maltento's 1 400m² facility in Epping.