Seems to me at the heart of the matter is the question of what the source of the "starch" is. From the Hikari rep answers I can deduce two things.
If the source was aquatic, it would have been stated both on the package and in this thread, as it would strengthen Hikari position. It is a no brainer.
If the source was terrestrial, any mention of it by Hikari in any shape or form, no matter how well explained and articulated, would be interpreted by most consumers, who can't help but hold simplistic views due to lack of education in the subject matter, as negative or rather negative or at least the consumers would be questioning this practice, which leads to doubt. This is to be avoided by any sensible company.
Most obviously, Hikari wants to be honest, so they don't state the origin is aquatic or some such, so it is NOT, so must be terrestrial (or a blend, to throw in more wrenches), but they don't want the prevailing ignorance to affect how their products are judged if they can help it, so they don't state the origin.
They may have developed a very special and proprietary processing procedure that may or may not indeed dramatically improve the properties of the said raw starch. This would be evident from the study of their patent portfolio, that is whether or not they have engaged into this field of special starch processing and whether their findings in it have been significant enough to be protected... or alternatively the findings might have been swept under a rug if leaving the competition clueless was deemed more sensible than protecting their proprietary processes for the next 20 years (all that patents can do).
In any case, I tend to agree in this respect with the Hikari rep - if we get good long term results with their feeds, at the end of the day this is all that matters. I can understand the possible beginner's frustrations trying to make a theoretical decision on what feed to go with but this appears to be a part of the growing pains... or just listen to the seasoned keepers
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RD says himself he used and uses Hikari, so the Hikari hostility and accusations of him are rather unfounded, not to mention the rude and crude slander of him we have just witnessed in this very thread. He is not an NLS salesman anymore and even when he was, I believe he was one of the fairest because everything he does, he does so out of his best logic and objective understanding, based on mastery of the subject, not on blind faith in the product he used to sell and / or the financial gain he'd derive from touting his product and bad mouthing the competition. He is just above such objectionable mediocrity. Sure he's no saint and he's got his affiliations and his close friendship with Pablo is no secret but the guy displays a conscience too. Beautiful conscience and beautiful mind. Why can't some see it? IDK. He strikes me as an independent and well versed and educated in nutrition mind that makes his mind available and anyone who desires can use it to his or her advantage.
