Pet Food with Curdlan and Adsorbent for Stool Volume
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Solution Overview
Problem
Highly digestible pet foods often result in low stool volume, which can hinder the elimination of residual antibiotics and toxins from the intestines, complicating recovery after antibiotic treatments and potentially leading to obstipation or metabolic disorders.
Innovation Solution
A pet food formulation incorporating protein, curdlan, and an adsorptive agent like activated charcoal or bentonite, with a moisture content of at least 40%, designed to increase stool volume by adhering water and unwanted compounds on its surface, thereby facilitating intestinal cleansing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If highly digestible pet food is used, then digestibility is improved, but stool volume decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Curdlan acts as an intermediary substance that is not fully digestible, serving as a bridge between highly digestible ingredients and the need for adequate stool volume. It provides bulk to the stool without compromising the overall digestibility of the pet food formulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The pet food formulation combines highly digestible ingredients with curdlan and adsorptive agents to create a composite material that achieves both high digestibility and adequate stool volume. This composite approach allows the food to maintain nutritional quality while providing sufficient fecal bulk for intestinal health.
2Reliability
If low stool volume occurs, then digestibility is improved, but intestinal cleansing capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Curdlan serves as a mediator that promotes intestinal peristalsis and facilitates the movement of intestinal contents, thereby enhancing cleansing capability without compromising digestibility. It provides the mechanical bulk needed to stimulate intestinal motility.
Solution Approach 2:
Adsorptive agents are incorporated to selectively bind and remove harmful substances such as antibiotics and toxins from the intestinal tract. These agents extract unwanted compounds from the digestive system, enabling effective cleansing while maintaining the digestibility of nutritious components.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If adsorptive agents are added to increase stool volume, then intestinal cleansing is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The formulation specifies optimal concentration ranges for curdlan (0.1-10% wt%) and adsorptive agents (0.01-5% wt%) to achieve effective intestinal cleansing without excessive manufacturing complexity. By defining precise parameter ranges, the patent simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining cleansing efficacy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite pet food formulation that integrates curdlan and adsorptive agents with standard pet food ingredients. This composite approach allows for streamlined manufacturing processes, as the functional components can be uniformly distributed throughout the food matrix during standard mixing and extrusion operations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The pet food effectively enhances stool volume, promoting a quick exchange of intestinal contents and the establishment of a healthy microbiome, aiding in faster recovery post-antibiotic treatment.
Implementation Method 1
curdlan...adhering water...on its surface
Implementation Method 2
an adsorptive agent like activated charcoal or bentonite...adhering...unwanted compounds on its surface
Data Source
AI summary
A pet food comprising protein, curdlan and an adsorptive agent is provided; as is a process of preparing the pet food.