Pale Meat Pet Food Processing to Prevent Grey Discoloration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pale meat, such as chicken, used in pet food, discolors to a grey hue after sterilization due to the use of copper sulfate, affecting product quality perception.
Innovation Solution
A process involving the addition of a chelating agent like sodium tripolyphosphate to pale meat before mixing with gravy, followed by sealing and sterilization, or using a copper compound other than copper sulfate, to prevent grey discoloration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If copper sulfate is used as a mineral supplement in pet food, then the nutritional requirements are met, but the pale meat develops grey discoloration after sterilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes copper sulfate from the mineral supplement list, extracting the harmful substance that causes grey discoloration while maintaining other necessary minerals in the gravy composition
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical form of copper supplementation from copper sulfate to alternative copper compounds such as copper proteinate, copper carbonate, or chelated copper forms, which do not cause discoloration while still providing necessary copper nutrition
2Quantity of substance
If copper sulfate is added to provide copper nutrition, then the pet food meets mineral requirements, but the product quality perception deteriorates due to grey color
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical form of copper from sulfate to alternative compounds (proteinate, carbonate, chelated forms) that provide the same nutritional copper content without the harmful grey discoloration effect
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces alternative copper compounds as intermediary substances that fulfill the same nutritional function as copper sulfate but without the unwanted coloration side effect
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
Prevents grey discoloration of pale meat in pet food, maintaining product quality and nutritional balance without using copper sulfate, ensuring a homogeneous mixture.
Implementation Method 1
adding a chelating agent to the pet food, wherein the chelating agent is added by tumbling the pale meat in an aqueous solution of the chelating agent
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a process for preparing pet food comprising pale meat and a gravy; and a pet food obtainable thereby.