Binder-Free Probiotic Dusting on Pet Food Kibble
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pet food kibbles face challenges in delivering Probiotic microorganisms effectively due to sensitivity to extrusion processes and storage conditions, leading to instability and uneven distribution, along with issues like agglomeration and adhesion problems when using carrier agents.
Innovation Solution
A process of dusting Probiotic microorganisms onto a kibble core matrix without a binder, where the kibble has a gelatinized starch matrix and low moisture content, ensuring even distribution and stability through Van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If carrier agents are used to deliver Probiotics, then Probiotic stability is improved, but uneven coating and agglomeration occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the carrier agent from the Probiotic delivery system. By dusting Probiotics directly onto the kibble core without any carrier agent, the patent avoids the agglomeration and uneven coating problems that arise from using carriers like fats, oils, or waxes, while still achieving stable Probiotic delivery through the low moisture content of the kibble.
Solution Approach 2:
The kibble core itself serves as an intermediary substrate that enables direct Probiotic adhesion. The gelatinized starch matrix with low moisture content (<12%) acts as a natural binding surface, allowing Probiotics to adhere evenly without requiring an additional carrier agent, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and coating uniformity.
2Reliability
If carrier agents are used to protect Probiotics, then Probiotic stability is improved, but adhesion to machinery and pelletization issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the carrier agent that causes manufacturing difficulties. By eliminating fats, oils, and waxes from the Probiotic delivery system, the patent avoids adhesion to machinery and pelletization problems while maintaining Probiotic stability through direct dusting onto the low-moisture kibble core.
3Productivity
If Probiotics are incorporated during extrusion, then manufacturing efficiency is improved, but Probiotic activity is reduced due to heat sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The kibble core is prepared in advance with low moisture content and gelatinized starch matrix before Probiotic application. This preliminary preparation creates an optimal substrate that can support Probiotic adhesion and stability without requiring the Probiotics to withstand the subsequent high-temperature extrusion process, thereby preserving Probiotic activity while maintaining manufacturing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the manufacturing process into two distinct stages: (1) kibble core formation through extrusion, and (2) Probiotic dusting after extrusion. This segmentation allows the heat-sensitive Probiotics to be added after the high-temperature extrusion process, preserving their activity while maintaining overall manufacturing efficiency.
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
This method ensures the Probiotics are delivered effectively and stably, maintaining their activity during storage and consumption, while avoiding the issues of agglomeration and adhesion, thus enhancing the health benefits for companion animals.
Implementation Method 1
dusting the powder onto the kibble... The dusting can occur substantially free of a binder... ensuring even distribution and stability through Van der Waals forces
Implementation Method 2
ensuring even distribution and stability through Van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonding
Data Source
AI summary
A dusted pet food kibble and a process for dusting a pet food kibble comprising providing a pet food kibble in the form of a core matrix, providing a powder comprising a first component that can comprise an active ingredient, such as Probiotic microorganism particles, and dusting the powder onto the pet food kibble to form a dusted kibble. The dusting can occur substantially free of a binder. An animal feed comprising a kibble in the form of a core dusted with active ingredients.