Pet Food

Abstract

A pet food comprising soy protein particles containing soy protein, wherein the soy protein particles comprise (1) soy protein particles and (2) soy protein particles, the main raw material of the (1) soy protein particles is the same as the main raw material of the (2) soy protein particles, the hardness of the (1) soy protein particles is in the range of (1) to (15N), and the hardness of the (2) soy protein particles is in the range of (30) to (100N).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to pet food.

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Pre-Application No. 62 / 756096, filed November 6, 2018, and Japanese Application No. 2019-050120, filed March 18, 2019, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background Technology

[0003] In the manufacture of pet food, meat substitutes that resemble the appearance of high-quality meat are often made from low-cost, protein-rich raw materials.

[0004] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a method for using soy protein to obtain pet food that has an appearance similar to real meat.

[0005] Existing technical documents

[0006] Patent Literature

[0007] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2013-544487 Summary of the Invention

[0008] The problem the invention aims to solve

[0009] However, current meat substitutes can only provide a consistent texture, and therefore are sometimes not palatable enough. Additionally, pets (e.g., dogs) prefer soft kibble, but feeding them only soft kibble can sometimes lead to weakened jawbones. Therefore, even with various kibble types using the same main ingredient, it is desirable for each kibble to have a different texture.

[0010] The present invention was made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide pet food that has a meat-like appearance and contains particles with different textures even if the main ingredients are the same.

[0011] Solution for solving the problem

[0012] The present invention includes the following methods.

[0013] (1) A pet food containing soy protein particles containing soy protein, wherein the soy protein particles include a first soy protein particle and a second soy protein particle, wherein the main raw material of the first soy protein particle is the same as the main raw material of the second soy protein particle, wherein the hardness of the first soy protein particle is in the range of 1 to 15 N, and the hardness of the second soy protein particle is in the range of 30 to 100 N.

[0014] (2) The pet food according to (1), wherein the aforementioned soy protein particles contain liquid raw materials, and the content of the aforementioned liquid raw materials is 25 parts by mass or more relative to 100 parts by mass of the aforementioned soy protein particles.

[0015] (3) The pet food according to (1) or (2), wherein the content of the first soy protein particles is 1 to 40% by mass relative to the total amount of the pet food, and the content of the second soy protein particles is 1 to 40% by mass relative to the total amount of the pet food.

[0016] (4) The pet food according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the size of the aforementioned soy protein particles is 3 to 30 mm.

[0017] (5) The pet food according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the mass ratio of the first soy protein granules to the second soy protein granules is 1 / 3 to 3 / 1.

[0018] The effects of the invention

[0019] According to the present invention, pet food with a meat-like appearance and containing particles with different textures even if the main ingredients are the same can be provided. Detailed Implementation

[0020] In this specification, "pet" refers to an animal kept by a person. More narrowly, a pet is an animal kept as a pet by its owner. Additionally, "pet food" refers to feed for pets. The pet food of this invention can be sold as "animal feed" or "animal food."

[0021] In this instruction manual, "palliativeness" refers to an indicator of whether a pet likes the food, which is determined by factors such as texture, taste, and smell.

[0022] In this specification, the term "coating" of powder refers to applying powder to the surface of particles so that it adheres to the particle surface.

[0023] In this specification, the term "coating" for a liquid refers to applying a liquid to the surface of particles so that it adheres to the particle surface, and also includes cases where some or all of the applied liquid penetrates into the particles. For example, the term "coating" for an oil refers to applying an oil to the surface of particles so that it adheres to the particles, and also includes cases where some or all of the applied oil penetrates (infiltrates) into the particles.

[0024] Methods for determining moisture content

[0025] In this specification, the moisture content values ​​are obtained using the atmospheric pressure heating drying method.

[0026] For the atmospheric pressure heating drying method, the analyte is pulverized by a pulverizer to pass through a 1 mm sieve and used as the analytical sample. 2-5 g of the analytical sample is accurately weighed and placed on an aluminum weighing dish. The analytical sample is dried at 135℃ for 2 hours. After cooling in a desiccator, the weight of the analytical sample is accurately weighed. The moisture content is determined based on the weight difference of the analytical sample before and after drying.

[0027] More specifically, the analyte is pulverized using a pulverizer to pass through a 1 mm sieve, and this pulverized material is used as the analytical sample. The mass of an aluminum weighing vessel (W1 g) is pre-determined as a constant weight. The analytical sample is placed in the aluminum weighing vessel and weighed (W2 g). The analytical sample is then dried at 135°C for 2 hours using a forced-circulation warm air dryer. After cooling the analytical sample in a drying atmosphere (in a silica gel desiccator), its mass is weighed (W3 g). The moisture content of the analytical sample is calculated from the obtained masses using the following formula.

[0028] Moisture content of the sample (unit: mass%) = (W2-W3)÷(W2-W1)×100

[0029] Moisture content is the value measured in the final product immediately after opening within 30 days from the date of manufacture, or under equivalent conditions.

[0030] [Methods for measuring hardness]

[0031] In this instruction manual, the particle hardness (fracture hardness) of the pet food pellets is a value obtained using the following measurement method.

[0032] The fracture stress under constant compression rate was determined using a compression testing machine (EZ-TEST, model: EZ-500NSX, manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation) under the following conditions.

[0033] Plunger: A cylindrical plunger with a diameter of 15 mm and a thickness of 5 mm; Platform: Plateau; Compression speed: 60 mm / min; Lowest point of the plunger: 3.5 mm (compression distance); Measurement temperature: 25℃.

[0034] Specifically, a particle representing the test object is placed on a petri dish, and the stress is measured while the plunger is pressed vertically from directly above the particle at a constant speed. The peak value (maximum value) of the stress is recorded as the fracture stress value.

[0035] It should be noted that by multiplying the fracture stress (unit: kgw) measured using the above compression testing machine by 9.8, the numerical unit of fracture hardness can be converted to Newtons (N).

[0036] <Pet food>

[0037] The pet food of this embodiment contains soy protein particles containing soy protein. In the pet food of this embodiment, the soy protein particles comprise a first soy protein particle and a second soy protein particle. The main ingredient of the first soy protein particle is the same as that of the second soy protein particle. The hardness of the first soy protein particle is in the range of 1 to 15 N, and the hardness of the second soy protein particle is in the range of 30 to 100 N.

[0038] The hardness of the first soybean protein particle is more preferably in the range of 4 to 10 N, and the hardness of the second soybean protein particle is more preferably in the range of 50 to 100 N.

[0039] It should be noted that in this embodiment, "main raw material" refers to raw material that accounts for more than 50% by mass of all raw materials constituting the granules. In this embodiment, the composition of the first soybean protein granule and the second soybean protein granule is preferably the same.

[0040] Since the hardness of the first and second soy protein particles are within the aforementioned range, it is possible to provide pet food that contains particles with different textures even when the main ingredients are the same. Therefore, the pet food of this embodiment has a meat-like appearance and can improve palatability for pets.

[0041] Furthermore, in the pet food of this embodiment, since the main ingredient of the first soy protein pellets is the same as that of the second soy protein pellets, they have the same appearance. Therefore, it is possible to prevent pets from only choosing to eat the soft pellets in the pet food, and feeders can more easily feed their pets with consideration for their nutritional balance.

[0042] The moisture content of the first soybean protein granules is preferably 15-30% by mass, more preferably 20-30% by mass. The moisture content of the second soybean protein granules is preferably 5-20% by mass, more preferably 10-20% by mass.

[0043] In the pet food of this embodiment, the content of the first soy protein particles relative to the total amount of pet food is preferably 1 to 40% by mass, and the content of the second soy protein particles relative to the total amount of pet food is preferably 1 to 40% by mass. The content of the first soy protein particles and the second soy protein particles is more preferably 5 to 15% by mass, respectively. When the content of the first soy protein particles and the content of the second soy protein particles are within the above-mentioned preferred ranges, palatability is further improved, and it becomes easier to obtain pet food containing particles with different textures even if the main ingredients are the same.

[0044] Regarding the size of the soy protein granules in this embodiment, the shortest and longest diameters are preferably 3 to 30 mm, more preferably 6 to 16.5 mm, and even more preferably 7 to 12 mm. This size of soy protein granules is a size that is easily consumed by pets on a daily basis, thus improving palatability. Furthermore, because it is a size that provides a chewy texture, it is easier to strengthen the frontal bone.

[0045] In the pet food of this embodiment, the mass ratio of the first soy protein granules to the second soy protein granules is preferably 1 / 3 to 3 / 1, more preferably 1 / 2 to 2 / 1, and even more preferably 1 / 1.5 to 1.5 / 1. This configuration further improves palatability and makes it easier to obtain pet food containing granules with different textures even when the main ingredients are the same.

[0046] The following is a detailed description of the ingredients contained in the pet food of this embodiment.

[0047] <Soy protein granules>

[0048] Soy protein pellets are pellets containing at least a raw material containing soy protein. Examples of raw materials containing soy protein include soybeans, soy protein isolate, fermented soybean meal, defatted soybeans, and concentrated soy protein. In this embodiment, defatted soybeans are preferably used as the raw material containing soy protein. The raw material containing soy protein preferably contains 50% by mass or more in the soy protein pellets, more preferably 75% by mass or more, and even more preferably 100% by mass.

[0049] In addition to soybean protein, other raw materials used in soybean protein pellets include cereals such as wheat flour, wheat gluten, corn, and corn gluten meal; animal protein raw materials such as chicken meal, meat meal, and fish meal; and oils such as beef tallow, palm oil, and soybean oil.

[0050] <Liquid Raw Materials>

[0051] In this embodiment, the soybean protein particles may contain liquid raw materials.

[0052] As liquid raw materials (including semi-solid raw materials), specifically, water, oils (animal oils such as chicken oil, lard, beef tallow, milk fat, and fish oil; vegetable oils such as olive oil, cocoa butter, palm oil, palm kernel oil, coconut oil, coconut oil, and ailanthus oil), liquid palatability improvers, liquid sugars, humectants, preservatives, emulsifiers, flavorings, and colorings are examples.

[0053] The liquid raw material used in this embodiment preferably includes sugar alcohols, glycerol, sugars, etc.

[0054] When used as a liquid ingredient, sugar alcohols and saccharides sweeten soy protein particles, thus improving palatability and increasing pets' willingness to eat. Furthermore, sugar alcohols and glycerin have moisturizing effects, making it easier to maintain the moisture content of pet food within a desired range when used as liquid ingredients.

[0055] The liquid raw material is preferably a mixture containing at least water and a humectant, and more preferably a mixture containing at least 10-30% water and 70-90% humectant.

[0056] In this embodiment, the soy protein granules contain liquid ingredients, and the content of the liquid ingredients relative to 100 parts by weight of the aforementioned soy protein granules is preferably 25 parts by weight or more, more preferably 30 parts by weight or more, and even more preferably 35 parts by weight or more. When the content of the liquid ingredients is within the above-mentioned preferred range, palatability is further improved, and it becomes easier to obtain pet food containing granules with different textures even if the main ingredients are the same.

[0057] <Additives>

[0058] In this embodiment, the soy protein granules may contain additives such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, flavoring ingredients, fiber, coloring agents, and powdered palatability improvers. From the viewpoint of improving palatability, powdered palatability improvers are preferred as additives.

[0059] More specifically, powdered palatability improvers include animal extracts, plant extracts, yeast extracts, and dried yeast products.

[0060] <Other Particles>

[0061] The pet food of this embodiment may contain pellets other than soy protein pellets (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "food pellets").

[0062] As food pellets, food pellets that have long been known as comprehensive nutritional pet food can be used.

[0063] When the pet food of this embodiment contains food pellets, the mass ratio of soy protein pellets to food pellets is preferably 1 / 99 to 99 / 1, more preferably 2 / 98 to 70 / 30, and even more preferably 3 / 97 to 60 / 40.

[0064] When the mass ratio of soy protein pellets to food pellets is within the preferred range described above, the palatability of pet food can be further improved.

[0065] Food particles can be obtained, for example, by heating and shaping a mixture of powdered and liquid raw materials. The matrix can be expanded or non-expanded particles, but expanded particles are preferred from a taste perspective. "Expanded particles" are particles formed from a raw material mixture into granular form, obtained through an expansion process that causes the interior of the raw material mixture to bubble. The "expansion process" refers to a process that generates gas within the raw material mixture using methods such as heating, pressurization, fermentation, chemical reaction, or depressurization. During the expansion process, the volume of the raw material mixture increases by generating gas, resulting in a porous structure. The bulk density decreases due to the increased volume of the raw material mixture. "Expanded particles" can be obtained by shaping the raw material mixture into granules before, after, or simultaneously with the expansion process. "Non-expanded particles" are particles manufactured without undergoing an expansion process.

[0066] Specifically, powdered raw materials for food particles can include grains (corn, wheat, wheat flour, wheat bran, rice, bread flour, barley, oats, rye, etc.), potatoes (sweet potatoes, potatoes, etc.), legumes (whole soybeans, etc.), starches (wheat starch, corn starch, rice starch, potato starch, cassava starch, sweet potato starch, sago starch, processed starch, etc.), plant proteins (corn gluten meal, wheat protein, legume protein, rice protein, potato protein, etc.), and meats (beef, pork, lamb, deer, rabbit, and other livestock and poultry meat, animal products). Meat; chicken, turkey, quail, poultry and other bird meat; powders (chicken powder, pork powder, beef powder, and their mixtures), seafood (tuna, bonito, mackerel and other fish; shrimp, crab and other crustaceans; octopus, squid and other mollusks; scallops, whelks and other shellfish; fish extracts; dried bonito, powder (fish meal) and so on), vegetables, nuts, fungi, eggs, sugars, dairy products, additives (vitamins, minerals, amino acids, flavorings, powdered palatability improvers, fiber, colorings, phosphates, pH adjusters, seasonings, antioxidants, trehalose, etc.), etc.

[0067] Powder refers to the powder obtained by compressing and finely grinding meat or seafood.

[0068] More specifically, powdered palatability improvers include animal extracts, plant extracts, yeast extracts, and dried yeast products.

[0069] The liquid raw materials for food particles are the same as those for the above-mentioned <Liquid Raw Materials>.

[0070] There are no particular restrictions on the shape of food pellets, as long as they are suitable for pets to eat.

[0071] For example, it can use all shapes such as spheres, ellipsoids (Go stone shape), donuts, granules, cylinders, polygonal prisms, plates, clover shapes, hearts, stars, crosses, etc.

[0072] In addition, the size of the food particles can be either small particles that a pet can fill in one bite, or large particles that a pet can bite into multiple times.

[0073] For example, regarding the size of the food particles, the shortest diameter and the longest diameter are preferably 3 to 30 mm, more preferably 6 to 16.5 mm, and even more preferably 7 to 12 mm.

[0074] <Manufacturing Methods for Pet Food>

[0075] The pet food of this embodiment can be manufactured, for example, using known methods described later.

[0076] [Granulation Process]

[0077] The granulation process is the process of granulating a mixture of raw materials to obtain soybean protein granules.

[0078] As a granulation process, methods such as mixing raw materials to form a raw material mixture and shaping (granulating) the raw material mixture into granules can be listed.

[0079] Specifically, as a granulation process, methods for manufacturing soybean protein pellets (expanded pellets) using an extruder can be listed.

[0080] For granulation methods using an extruder, the methods described in "Clinical Nutrition for Small Animals, 5th Edition" (edited by Michael S. Hand, Craig D. Thatcher, Rebecca L. Remillard, Philip Roudebusg, and Bruce J. Novotny, published by Mark Morris Associates; 2014; pp. 209–215) can be used.

[0081] An example of a method for manufacturing soy protein pellets using an extruder will be described. First, the raw materials for the soy protein pellets are ground and mixed as needed. This can be done simultaneously with grinding using a mill or similar device. Additionally, water is added as needed (this water evaporates during the manufacturing process and is not ultimately included in the raw material composition) to obtain a raw material mixture.

[0082] The obtained raw material mixture is fed into an extruder, heated and pressurized, and then extruded from the outlet. A plate with holes of a specified shape is provided at the outlet, along with a cutter to cut the raw material mixture extruded from the plate into a specified length (thickness). The raw material mixture is extruded through the holes of the plate and cut into the specified shape by the cutter. Simultaneously, the water vapor in the raw material mixture expands by releasing pressure from the pressurized state to atmospheric pressure, thereby expanding the raw material mixture to obtain porous soybean protein particles.

[0083] [Drying Process]

[0084] The drying process involves drying the soybean protein granules obtained through the granulation process described above. Commonly known methods for drying soybean protein granules include natural drying, drying with warm air, drying under reduced pressure, and freeze-drying. Among these methods, drying with warm air is preferred from the perspective of improving the flavor of pet food.

[0085] There are no particular limitations on the temperature of the soybean protein granules during drying or the temperature of the warm air blown onto the soybean protein granules. For example, the temperature of the warm air is preferably below 150°C. Furthermore, there is no particular limitation on the lower limit of the warm air temperature; it is generally a temperature above room temperature, preferably above 30°C. When drying is performed within this temperature range, the heat treatment time is preferably from 1 minute to 120 minutes.

[0086] When the temperature is above the lower limit of the above temperature and time ranges, the soybean protein particles can be dried in a relatively short time. When the temperature is below the upper limit of the above temperature range, the soybean protein particles are prevented from being overheated.

[0087] [Liquid Raw Material Coating Process]

[0088] In the liquid raw material coating process, soybean protein particles can be added to a container, followed by the addition of liquid raw materials to the container and mixing.

[0089] [Powder Coating Process]

[0090] The powder coating process is a process of coating the soybean protein granules or soybean protein granules with liquid raw material coating obtained by the above drying process with a powdered palatability improver.

[0091] As a method for coating the aforementioned granules with a powdered palatability improver, the following methods can be listed: a method of placing the aforementioned soybean protein granules and the powdered palatability improver into a container such as a can and stirring with a stirrer; a method of vibrating the aforementioned container, etc.

[0092] When the powdered palatability improver is coated onto the aforementioned soy protein particles, the temperature of the soy protein particles is preferably 15–60°C, more preferably 20–50°C, and even more preferably 30–40°C. At this temperature, the powdered palatability improver is preferably at 5–40°C, more preferably 10–35°C, and even more preferably 15–30°C. At this temperature, the powdered palatability improver is preferably at 10–25°C. When the temperature of the aforementioned soy protein particles is within the above range, the coating amount (powder coating weight) of the powdered palatability improver adhering to the aforementioned soy protein particles tends to increase.

[0093] [Food Particle Mixing Process]

[0094] In the food particle mixing process, the soybean protein particles obtained above are mixed with food particles obtained using known methods and then stored in packaging containers or the like.

[0095] Example

[0096] The present invention will be further described in detail below using examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[0097] (Pet food manufacturing)

[0098] Defatted soybeans are used as the raw material for soy protein granules. The raw material is fed into an extruder, where it is simultaneously mixed and heated at 100–140°C for 1–5 minutes to α-convert the starch components. The mixture is then extruded and granulated at the extruder outlet, simultaneously expanding the granules. The resulting granules are then dried at 90°C for 60 minutes using a dryer to obtain the soy protein granules.

[0099] The total weight of the granules was 100g. The liquid raw materials with the liquid raw material composition shown in Table 1 and the soybean protein granules of each example were prepared according to the mass ratio in Table 2. The mixtures were stirred to obtain the pet food of each example.

[0100] (Evaluation of the hardness and moisture content of pet food)

[0101] For each pet food product, its physical properties and moisture content were determined 5 days after manufacturing. The hardness and moisture content of the pellets were determined using the methods described above.

[0102] It should be noted that in Comparative Example 6, commercially available pet food containing soy protein particles was used.

[0103] [Table 1]

[0104] formula Moisturizer 77％ water 23％ total 100％

[0105] [Table 2]

[0106]

[0107] As shown in Table 1, in the pet foods of Examples 1 and 2, which contain the same main ingredient, first soy protein particles and second soy protein particles, it was confirmed that the hardness of the first soy protein particles was in the range of 1 to 15 N, and the hardness of the second soy protein particles was in the range of 30 to 100 N.

[0108] Industrial availability

[0109] According to the present invention, pet food is provided that has a meat-like appearance and contains particles with different textures even if the main ingredients are the same.

Claims

1. A pet food comprising soy protein particles containing soy protein, The soybean protein particles include first soybean protein particles and second soybean protein particles. The main raw material of the first soybean protein particles is the same as the main raw material of the second soybean protein particles. The soy protein particles are composed of soybeans and liquid raw materials. The liquid raw material consists of water and a moisturizer. The moisturizing agent is one or more selected from sugar alcohols and glycerin, In the liquid raw material, the content of water is 10-30%, and the content of moisturizer is 70-90%. The content of the liquid raw material is 25 parts by mass or more and 35 parts by mass or less relative to 100 parts by mass of the soybean protein particles. The hardness of the first soybean protein particles is in the range of 1 to 15N, The hardness of the second soybean protein particles is in the range of 30 to 100N.

2. The pet food according to claim 1, wherein The content of the first soybean protein particles is 1 to 40% by mass relative to the total amount of the pet food, and the content of the second soybean protein particles is 1 to 40% by mass relative to the total amount of the pet food.

3. The pet food according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The size of the soybean protein particles is 3 to 30 mm.

4. The pet food according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The mass ratio of the first soybean protein particles to the second soybean protein particles is 1 / 3 to 3 / 1.

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