Abstract: An animal food palatability enhancing composition that includes a manufactured edible substrate comprising a texture; and a delipidated microbial biomeal, wherein the delipidated component comprises about 2% to about 4% docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) by weight and wherein the palatability enhancer improves palatability of animal food products. Also provided is a method for optimizing palatable components of microbial biomeal comprising: fermenting microbial aquaculture products; lysing microbial cells; extracting natant lipids to produce a waste product, wherein the microbial biomeal; elucidating the mechanisms of the chemical constituents in microbial aquaculture products; modifying the microbial biomeal to fit predetermined texture and flavor specifications; and characterizing a nutritional value of the microbial biomeal; wherein formulation of pet food palatable components are modified.