Pet chew containing chitosan

Abstract

To provide a pet chew containing chitosan. Chitosan-containing pet treats, such as chitosan-containing pet chews, can be formed by a water-based pressure cooking procedure and / or by immersing pet chews in a water-based solution containing chitosan, where chitosan is then selectively present on the pet chew surface. Chitosan is present in the water at a level of 0.1% to 10.0% by weight; exposing the polymer-based pet chew to a mixture of the chitosan and water, and impregnating the surface of the pet chew with the chitosan. Chitosan is present in the pet chew from the surface to a thickness of 0.1 mm to 10.0 mm.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001]

[0001] Field The present invention is directed to chitosan-containing pet chews. Such chitosan-containing pet treats can be formed by a water-based pressure cooking procedure and / or by immersing pet chew in a water-based solution containing chitosan, where the chitosan is then selectively present on the surface of the pet chew. [Background technology]

[0002]

[0002] Background Chitosan has been reported in the literature to offer antimicrobial activity as a bactericide and fungicide. Chitosan is often identified as poly-[1-4-β-D-glucosamine]. Chitosan can be chemically derived from chitin, which is poly-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0003]

[0003] Overview A polymer-based pet chew having a surface and containing a polymer resin and chitosan, wherein the chitosan is present in the pet chew to a thickness of 0.1 mm to 10.0 mm from the surface.

[0004] A method for forming a pet chew by providing a polymer-based pet chew having a surface with a mixture of chitosan and water, wherein the chitosan is present in the water at a level of 0.1% to 10.0% by weight. This is then followed by exposing the polymer-based pet chew to the chitosan and water mixture to impregnate the surface of the pet chew with the chitosan. This can be accomplished by dipping or immersing the polymer-based pet chew in the chitosan / water mixture. Optionally, the chitosan / water mixture can be heated, or the chitosan / water mixture can be heated in a pressure vessel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Detailed Description The present invention is directed to a pet chew containing chitosan. Chitosan, as used herein, refers to a polysaccharide composed primarily (at least 50% or more) of randomly distributed β-(1→4)-linked D-glucosamine (deacetylated units) and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (acetylated units). It is typically produced by treating the chitinous shells of shrimp and other crustaceans with an alkaline substance such as sodium hydroxide. When fully deacetylated, the structure of chitosan is represented as follows: [ka]

[0006]

[0006] The chitosan-containing pet chew herein is preferably formed by a water-based pressure cooking procedure and / or by immersing the pet chew in an aqueous solution containing chitosan. Preferably, the pet chew herein is comprised of one or more polymers such as polyamide (nylon), polyester, polyurethane, thermoplastic polyester-based elastomer, thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, diene-based rubber (e.g., polyisoprene or polybutadiene), styrene-butadiene rubber, etc. It is also contemplated that thermosetting polyurethane-type resins, particularly thermosetting polyurethane elastomers, may be utilized.

[0007]

[0007] The pet chew herein can be preferably formed by injection molding, compression molding, or extrusion molding. Thus, the aforementioned polymer resin can be formed into a desired shape, such as a bone-like structure, or any other shape suitable for the shape of the pet chew.

[0008] As mentioned above, chitosan is preferably mixed with water, wherein the chitosan is preferably present in the water at a level of 0.1% to 10.0% by weight. Preferably, the aqueous solution is slightly acidic, meaning set to have a pH of 6.5 or less, more preferably within the pH range of 3.0 to 6.5, or even more preferably within the pH range of 3.0 to 4.0. Preferably, the acidity can be provided by including in the water an appropriate amount of one or more of the following acids: acetic acid, formic acid, lactic acid, propionic acid, and / or succinic acid. One particularly preferred mixture of chitosan and water is an aqueous solution containing 0.5% to 8.0% acetic acid, or even more preferably, 0.5% to 5.0% acetic acid. Optionally, the aqueous mixture of water and chitosan can contain a colorant, wherein the colorant is present by itself, preferably at a level of 0.1% to 5.0% by weight. Additionally, the aqueous mixture of water and chitosan may contain a flavoring agent, also preferably present at a level of 0.1% to 5.0% by weight.

[0009] The previously mentioned mixture of chitosan and water, optionally with colorants and / or flavorants, serves as a source for impregnation of the polymer-based pet chew surface with the desired level of chitosan, colorants, and / or flavorants. As previously mentioned, the polymer-based pet chew can be placed in the chitosan / water mixture for a period of time, for example, up to 6.0 hours. The chitosan-water mixture can also be optionally heated to a temperature within the range of 100°F to 200°F. It is also contemplated herein that once removed from the chitosan / water mixture, the now chitosan-containing polymer-based pet chew can be subjected to drying, preferably fluidized bed drying.

[0010] In one preferred procedure, the polymer-based pet chew, optionally with colorants and / or flavorants, can be placed in a pressure vessel containing a chitosan / water mixture and heated under pressure to create vapor pressure. The boiling point of water is thus elevated, potentially reaching a boiling point as high as 250°F. This, in turn, is expected to improve absorption of the chitosan and optional colorants and flavorants into the surface of the polymer-based pet chew. Preferably, the polymer-based pet chew is heated and pressurized in a pressure cooker for a period of 30 minutes to 6.0 hours, or 30 minutes to 3.0 hours, or 30 minutes to 1.0 hour.

[0011] Another preferred procedure for impregnating the surface of the polymer-based pet chew with chitosan and, optionally, colorants and flavorants, is to immerse the pet chew in the water mixture mentioned above. The polymer-based pet chew can then be left in such water mixture at room temperature for up to 120 hours, or preferably for a period ranging from 1.0 hour to 120 hours.

[0012]

[0012] Preferably, chitosan, optionally together with colorants and / or flavorants, is present on the surface of the polymer-based pet chew and is impregnated therein. Such impregnation is considered to be from the surface to a depth of 0.1 mm to 10.0 mm, more preferably from 1.0 mm to 5.0 mm, into the polymer-based pet chew. Thus, the polymer-based pet chew herein has a surface on which chitosan and optional colorants and / or flavorants are present to a depth or thickness of 0.1 mm to 10.0 mm.

[0013]

[0013] It should be noted that one of the properties of chitosan is that it can provide antibacterial activity against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, as well as activity against fungi. As can be understood, when a dog is addicted to pet chew, the surface of the gum may then serve as a medium for bacterial or fungal growth. Therefore, it is contemplated herein that by selectively providing chitosan on the surface of a polymer-based pet chew, the ability of bacterial or fungal growth can be reduced or eliminated.

[0014]

[0014] Furthermore, by selectively embedding chitosan together with colorants from the surface of the pet chew to a selected depth, the consumer is in turn provided with a visual indication as to when the chitosan impregnated into the surface itself is damaged or removed. In other words, after prolonged chewing, the chitosan- and color-impregnated surface will be worn away by the animal, and the consumer will then be able to recognize that the antibacterial and / or antifungal surface features are no longer present. In this regard, colorants and / or flavorings can likewise be present on the surface of the pet chew and in the thickness of the pet chew at a level of 0.1 mm to 10.0 mm, more preferably at a thickness level of 0.1 mm to 5.0 mm.

[0015]

[0015] Accordingly, the present invention provides a polymer-based pet chew having a surface containing chitosan to a selected depth, optionally with colorants and / or flavorants. The chitosan on the surface and to the selected depth provides both antibacterial and antifungal properties to reduce and / or eliminate bacterial and fungal growth that might otherwise result from chewing by the animal. The consumer is also provided with a visual indicator as to when these antibacterial and antifungal properties of the pet chew have been compromised and are no longer present.

[0016]

[0016] More generally, the present invention is also directed to a method for forming pet chew comprising: providing a polymer-based pet chew having a surface; providing a mixture of chitosan and water, wherein the chitosan is present in the water at a level of 0.1% to 10.0% by weight; and exposing the polymer-based pet chew to the chitosan and water mixture, thereby impregnating the surface of the pet chew with the chitosan.

[0017]

[0017] The present invention also more generally relates to a polymer-based pet chew having a surface and comprising a polymer resin and chitosan, wherein the chitosan is present in the pet chew from the surface to a thickness of 0.1 mm to 10.0 mm.

Claims

1. 1. A method for forming a pet chew, comprising: providing a polymer-based pet chew having a surface; providing a mixture of chitosan and water, said chitosan being present in said water at a level of 0.1% to 10.0% by weight; exposing the polymer-based pet chew to a mixture of the chitosan and water to impregnate the surface of the pet chew with the chitosan; Including, wherein the exposing the polymer-based pet chew to the chitosan and water mixture comprises placing the chitosan and water mixture together with the polymer-based pet chew in a pressure vessel and applying heat and / or pressure. method.

2. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein said exposing said polymer-based pet chew to said chitosan and water mixture further comprises soaking said polymer-based pet chew in said chitosan and water mixture for a period of up to 120 hours.

3. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the chitosan and water mixture has a pH of 6.5 or less.

4. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the chitosan and water mixture has a pH in the range of 3.0 to 6.

5.

5. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the chitosan and water mixture contains one or more of acetic acid, formic acid, lactic acid, propionic acid, or succinic acid.

6. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the chitosan and water mixture further comprises a colorant at a level of 0.1% to 5.0% by weight.

7. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the chitosan and water mixture further comprises a flavoring agent at a level of 0.1% to 5.0% by weight.

8. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the chitosan impregnates the surface of the polymer-based pet chew to a thickness of 0.1 mm to 10.0 mm from the surface.

9. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the colorant impregnates the pet chew to a thickness of 0.1 mm to 10.0 mm from the surface of the polymer-based pet chew.

10. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the flavoring agent impregnates the surface of the polymer-based pet chew to a depth of 0.1 mm to 10.0 mm from the surface.

11. A polymer-based pet chew having a surface and comprising a polymer resin, chitosan, and a colorant, wherein the chitosan and the colorant are embedded therein to a depth of 0.1 mm to 10.0 mm from the surface, and the colorant provides a visual indication of where the chitosan is present and where it is not.

12. 12. The polymer-based pet chew of claim 11, wherein the polymer resin is selected from the group consisting of polyamide, polyester, polyurethane, thermoplastic polyester elastomer, thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, diene-based rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, or thermoset polyurethane.

13. A polymer-based pet chew as described in claim 11, further containing a flavoring agent.

14. 12. The polymer-based pet chew of claim 11, wherein the chitosan and colorant are embedded therein to a depth of 0.1 mm to 5.0 mm from the surface.

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