Currently most pellets are produced with one of two processes. Extruded pellets are produced at temperatures between 400 and 650 degrees and afterward supplemented with synthetic nutrients sprayed on the outside of the pellet to make up for the damage that the heat has done to the natural nutrients, leaving the density of vitamins and minerals on the exterior of the pellet where it is easily depleted with exposure to ultra-violet rays and oxygen. These starches break down into simple sugars. Lysine and other amino acids are the building blocks of the protein chain . An interaction between dietary simple sugars and lysine results in a chemical complex that makes lysine unavailable to the animal.
Some manufacturers argue that the heat is needed to pasteurize the food and make it more digestible.
Parrots have evolved over millions of years eating raw materials and their digestive systems have developed to metabolize raw food. The extrusion and steamed pelleting processes destroy many, if not most of the natural nutrients, leaving the pellet that is produced as simply a vessel to carry the synthetic nutrients to your bird. Because of the inherent risk of molds and mycotoxins in corn we do use roasted corn in this product. We feel that the risk outweighs the benefit with this one ingredient. Aflatoxins are the toxic byproducts of mold growth on certain agricultural commodities.