Greg Aldrich, Ph.D.Dr. Aldrich is president of Pet Food & Ingredient Technology Inc. He is also the author of Petfood Industry magazine's monthly column, "Ingredient Issues."From the AuthorMineralsFinding the ideal carrier for premixesLearn about the possible options for premix carriers in pet food formulations.Vitaminsβ-carotene as a source of vitamin A differs between dogs, catsβ-carotene is a unique carotenoid that can be converted to vitamin A by dogs, but less so by cats. Fortifying the diet can provide insurance against vitamin A deficiencies and support other functions like antioxidant and immune system health.VitaminsThiamine degradation in canned cat foods – Have we solved the problem?A quick overview of the issues associated with thiamine losses in canned cat foods and various steps that have been attempted to resolve this issue are provided.MineralsOptions for iodine fortification in dog and cat dietsIodine is required by the dog and cat and is found at low levels in the basal ingredients thus necessitating supplementation in the diet.Processing Functional IngredientsPolyols in pet food: Is there new potential for their use?Polyols are sugar alcohols commonly found in semi-moist pet foods. Some of these low-calorie carbohydrates might find a new use if they provide some benefit and are safe.Processing Functional IngredientsLocust bean gum (carob bean gum) use in canned pet foodsLocust (carob) bean gum is a GRAS additive with limited controversy that is complementary to carrageenan in canned pet foods.ProteinsIt IS possible to produce balanced vegetarian/vegan dog dietsThere is sufficient information and enough ingredient options available to produce vegetarian and vegan diets for dogs in a safe and nutritionally balanced manner.ProteinsCollagen: A complex protein that may benefit joint health in petsCollagen is an abundant protein that may provide benefit for animal joint repair associated with osteoarthritis. The challenge is finding the form that works best.MineralsPhytate, phosphorus, phytase for dogs, cats on plant-based pet foodsPhytate phosphorus may be a limiting factor in new plant-based pet foods. In addition to supplementation, use of a phytase enzyme may be needed to unlock the phosphorus and make it more bioavailable.Processing Functional IngredientsNatural and artificial flavors in dog and cat dietsNatural and artificial flavors are ingredients used to enhance, augment or potentiate the flavor of the foods they occupy.Grains and StarchesWheat flour makes great biscuits for petsWheat flour is used in biscuits predominantly for its functional properties and host of options based on milling process and final flour product.Grains and StarchesResistant starch: Optimizing nutrition for dogs and catsCooking starch to a lesser degree may provide benefits to dogs and cats through the bypass of some starch from the small intestine to fuel fermentation by colonic bacteria.Page 1 of 18Next Page
