CN111149942A - Food particle for pet food - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dry type pet food pellet having a major axis and a minor axis of 3 to 30mm and a thickness of 3.5 to 6mm, wherein the food pellet has 6 to 8 through holes penetrating in the thickness direction of the food pellet, and the hardness of the food pellet is 15 to 50N.

Description

Food particle for pet food

Technical Field

The present invention relates to food particles for pet food, and in particular to dry food particles for pet food.

The present application claims priority based on Japanese patent application Nos. 2018-209872 filed in Japan at 11/7/2018 and Japanese patent application Nos. 2018-218648 filed in Japan at 11/21/2018, and the contents thereof are incorporated into the present application.

Background

Commercially available pet foods are roughly classified into a wet type having a moisture content of usually 50 mass% or more, a semi-wet type having a moisture content of usually about 20 to 40 mass%, and a dry type having a moisture content of usually about 10 mass% or less. Among these, dry pet foods have been increasingly demanded in recent years from the viewpoint of ease of handling, good keeping qualities, and the like.

Dry pet foods are generally harder, of course harder than other types of pet foods, and harder than most of the foods consumed by humans. Dogs and cats are originally carnivorous, and their teeth have evolved mainly for hunting animals and for biting off meat, and are not suitable for crushing hard objects with molars. Conventional hard dry pet foods cannot be said to be foods that are easy to eat for such dogs and cats. The easy-to-bite particles are easy-to-eat particles, and easy eating results in high palatability.

Therefore, attempts have been made to improve the palatability of dry pet foods. For example, patent document 1 describes a dry pet food in which a raw material containing starch having a high gelatinization temperature is used as a starch source, and the degree of gelatinization of the starch is suppressed, thereby adjusting the degree of hardness of the pet food.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2015-126715

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

However, when the hardness of the pet food is reduced, the chewiness is generally reduced. In addition, when the hardness is adjusted by the raw material composition, the hardness is limited to a specific raw material composition.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide dry pet food granules which can control hardness regardless of the raw material composition, maintain chewy texture, and are easily chewed and thus have improved palatability.

Means for solving the problems

The present invention includes the following aspects.

(1) A dry pet food pellet having a major diameter and a minor diameter of 3 to 30mm and a thickness of 3.5 to 6mm, wherein the pet food pellet has 6 to 8 through holes penetrating in the thickness direction of the pellet, and the hardness of the pellet is 15 to 50N.

(2) The food pellet for pet food according to (1), wherein the hardness of the food pellet is 35N or less.

(3) The food pellet for pet food according to (1) or (2), wherein a value of a ratio of a thickness (mm) of the food pellet to the number of the through holes (thickness (mm)/number of through holes) is 0.85 or less.

(4) The food pellet for pet food according to (3), wherein a value of a ratio of a thickness (mm) of the food pellet to the number of the through holes (thickness (mm)/number of the through holes) is 0.5 to 0.70.

(5) The food particle for pet food according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the through-holes are arranged in 2 rows including the 1 st row and the 2 nd row.

(6) The food pellet for pet food according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the through-holes include 1 central hole disposed at a substantially center of the food pellet and an outer peripheral hole disposed at an outer periphery of the central hole.

(7) The food pellet for pet food according to (5) or (6), wherein an average value of shortest distances between adjacent through holes is 3.0mm or less.

(8) The pet food pellet as recited in (7), wherein an average value of the shortest distances between the through holes is 1.5 to 2.8 mm.

(9) The food pellet for pet food according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein a value of a ratio of an average value of shortest distances (mm) between the through holes of the food pellet to the number of the through holes (average value of shortest distances (mm)/number of through holes) is less than 0.47.

(10) The food pellet for pet food according to (9), wherein a value of a ratio of an average value of shortest distances (mm) between the through holes of the food pellet to the number of the through holes (average value of shortest distances (mm)/number of through holes) is 0.25 to 0.46.

(11) The pet food pellet as described in any one of (1) to (10), wherein the surface area of the food pellet is 125mm²The following.

(12) The food particle for pet food according to any one of (1) to (11), wherein a value of a ratio of the total surface area of the through-holes to the surface area of the food particle (total surface area of the through-holes/surface area of the food particle) is 0.2 to 5.0.

(13) The food particle for pet food according to any one of (1) to (12), wherein a ratio of a total of surface areas of the through-holes to a thickness of the food particle is 1: 1-6: 1.

(14) the food pellet for pet food according to any one of (1) to (13), wherein the through-holes have a major axis of 0.01 to 0.25 mm.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided a dry type food particle for pet food, which can control hardness regardless of the raw material composition, maintain chewy texture, and is easily chewed, thereby improving palatability.

Drawings

FIG. 1A shows an example of pet food granules according to 1 embodiment of the present invention. The food particles are quadrilateral in shape with 6 through holes.

FIG. 1B shows an example of pet food granules according to embodiment 1 of the present invention. The food particles are circular in shape with 7 through holes.

Fig. 2A shows a top view of the food particles schematically shown in fig. 1A.

FIG. 2B shows a sectional view along the IIB-IIB cut line of FIG. 2A.

Fig. 3A shows a food particle schematically obtained from the food particle of fig. 1B.

FIG. 3B shows a cross-sectional view along line IIIB-IIIB of FIG. 3A.

Description of the reference numerals

1. 1 '… food particle for pet food, 10' … basal body, 20 a-20 f, 20a '-20 g' … through hole

Detailed Description

In the present specification, "pet" refers to an animal raised by a human. In a more narrow sense, a pet is an animal that the owner enjoys. Further, "pet food" refers to a feed for pets. The pet food according to the present invention can be sold as "animal feed" or "bait for animals".

In the present specification, "dry food granules" means food granules having a moisture content of about 6 mass%. The moisture content of the dry food granules is usually about 3 to 12 mass%, and preferably about 10 mass% or less.

[ method for measuring moisture content ]

In the present specification, the value of the moisture content is a value obtained by a normal pressure heat drying method.

Specifically, the sample was prepared by pulverizing the sample to pass through a 1mm sieve with a pulverizer. 2-5 g of an analytical sample was accurately weighed, placed in an aluminum weighing dish (previously dried and accurately weighed), dried at 135. + -. 2 ℃ for 2 hours, cooled in a desiccator, and then accurately weighed, and the water content was determined from the difference in weight before and after drying.

Specifically, the sample was prepared by pulverizing the sample to pass through a 1mm sieve with a pulverizer. The mass of the aluminum weighing pot (W1 g) was determined in advance as a constant value. The sample was placed in the aluminum weighing pot, and the mass (W2 g) was weighed. Next, the sample was dried at 135 ℃ for 2 hours using a forced circulation type warm air dryer. After cooling in a dry atmosphere (in a silica gel dryer), the mass was weighed (W3 g). From the obtained masses, the water content was determined by the following equation.

Moisture content (unit: mass%) (W2-W3)/(W2-W1) × 100

[ method for measuring hardness ]

In the present specification, the hardness of the food granules is a value obtained by the following measurement method.

The breaking force when the food granules were compressed at a constant compression rate was measured under the following conditions using a compression tester (texture tester, model: EZ-SX, manufactured by Shimadzu corporation).

Plunger: diameter 15mm, thickness 5 mm's cylindric plunger, platform: tray formed by deep-digging in star shape (inner diameter about 33 mm. times. depth about 4mm), compression speed: 60 mm/min, lowest point of plunger: 4mm (compression distance), measurement temperature: at 25 ℃.

Specifically, 1 food pellet to be measured was placed on a tray, and the test force was measured while vertically pressing a plunger from directly above at a constant speed. The peak value (maximum value) of the test force was read as the value of the breaking force. The measurement was performed for 10 replicates and the average value was determined. If the food particles break during the measurement, the measurement of the food particles is terminated at that time.

The numerical value of the breaking force (unit: kgw) measured by the above-mentioned compression tester is multiplied by 9.8 (multiplication), whereby the unit is converted into newtons (N).

[ method for measuring surface area of food particles ]

In the present specification, the surface area of the food granules is a value obtained by the following measurement method.

The surface area of the food granules was measured by observing and imaging the food granules with a light microscope (VHX-900F (manufactured by KEYENCE)).

Specifically, the food particles were observed with an optical microscope to obtain an image of the food particles. Based on the image, the surface area of the food particles was subjected to image analysis based on the color tone, and the surface area of the entire food particles was measured. In the present specification, "the surface area of the food particles" refers to the area of the food particles measured based on an image taken from above the food particles by placing the food particles on a horizontal table.

[ method for measuring surface area of through-hole ]

In the present specification, the surface area of the through-hole is a value obtained by the following measurement method.

The food granules were observed/photographed with an optical microscope (VHX-900F (manufactured by KEYENCE)), and the area of the through-holes of the food granules was measured.

Specifically, the food particles were observed with an optical microscope to obtain an image of the food particles. Based on the image, the area of the through-hole was measured by performing image analysis using the portion where the color tones of the transmitted light are different as the through-hole. In the present specification, the "surface area of the through-hole" refers to the area of the through-hole measured based on an image obtained by placing food particles on a horizontal table and taking the food particles from above.

[ color measurement ]

In the present specification, the color of the base and the coating of the pet food is a value obtained by the following measurement method.

The color of the substrate and the coating were measured by a colorimeter ZE6000 (manufactured by Nippon Denshoku industries Co., Ltd.).

The substrate was uniformly pulverized by a pulverizer manufactured by ruffian industries co and used as a sample for measurement.

The coating composition was heated at 70 ℃ to dissolve the coating composition, poured into a measurement vessel, and allowed to stand at room temperature for 1 hour to solidify the coating composition to obtain a measurement specimen.

A sample for measurement was placed in a 10mL measurement container in an amount of about 80%, and the coordinate values in CIELAB color space were measured for 3 sites according to the manual attached to the apparatus. Each data is obtained by the following equation.

ΔL^*: coating part (L)^*) -a substrate (L)^*)

Δa^*: coating part (a)^*) -a substrate (a)^*)

Δb^*: coating part (b)^*) -a substrate (b)^*)

ΔE^*：{(ΔL^*)²+(Δa^*)²+(Δb^*)²}^1/2

C^*＝{(a^*)²+(b^*)²}^1/2

ΔC^*: coating part (C)^*) -a substrate (C)^*)

[ measurement of area ratio of covered portion ]

In the present specification, the area ratio of the coating portion of the pet food is a value obtained by the following measurement method (1) or (2).

Method (1) of measurement

The area ratio of the covered portion was measured by image analysis using a visual analyzer.

Specifically, a pet food (a predetermined number (for example, about 50g) of pet food particles in the case of a granular pet food) is placed in a measurement area (the front and back are randomly scattered in the case of a granular pet food) on a plane, and color composition analysis data of the surface portion is acquired. The color difference (Delta E) with respect to the center color of the cover part is obtained from the data obtained by analyzing the composition of each color as a whole^*) The color of 13.0 or less was analyzed as the color of the coating portion, and the area ratio of the coating portion to the whole pet food was determined as a percentage.

Method (2) of determination

The pet food was observed and photographed with an optical microscope (VHX-900F, manufactured by KEYENCE), and the area ratio of the coating portion was measured.

Specifically, the pet food (1 pet food particle in the case of a granular pet food) was observed with an optical microscope, and an image of the surface having the coating portion was obtained. Based on the image, the surface area of the entire pet food and the area of the coating portion are measured, and the area ratio of the coating portion to the entire pet food is determined as a percentage.

[ measuring method of major, minor, and thickness of food particles ]

In the present specification, the major axis, minor axis and thickness of the food granules are values obtained by the following measurement methods.

The major axis and minor axis of the food pellet placed on the horizontal table were measured with a vernier caliper, and the average of these was defined as the average major axis and average minor axis.

For the thickness of the food particles, the thickness from the lower surface (lower end) to the upper surface (upper end) of the food particles placed on a horizontal table was measured.

[ method for measuring shortest distance between through-holes of food particles ]

The shortest distance between the through-holes of the food granules was a value obtained by the following measurement method.

The shortest distance between the through holes when the food pellet placed on the horizontal table was observed from above was measured with a vernier caliper, and the average value of these was defined as the average shortest distance.

[ measuring method for the major and minor diameters of through-holes ]

The major axis and minor axis of the through-holes of the food granules were values obtained by the following measurement methods.

The major and minor diameters of the through-holes when the food pellets placed on the horizontal table were observed from above were measured with a vernier caliper, and the average of these was defined as the average major and minor diameters of the through-holes.

< food particles for pet food >

In one aspect, the present invention provides a dry type pet food pellet having a major axis and a minor axis of 3 to 30mm and a thickness of 3.5 to 6mm, wherein the pet food pellet has 6 to 8 through holes penetrating in a thickness direction of the food pellet, and the hardness of the food pellet is 15 to 50N.

Fig. 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating an example of the food granules according to the present embodiment. In the food pellet 1 for pet food shown in fig. 1A, through holes 20a to 20f are formed in a rectangular base 10. Fig. 2A is a schematic plan view of the food granules 1, and fig. 2B is a sectional view of the IIB-IIB cutting line along the plan view of fig. 2A.

In the food pellet 1 'for pet food shown in fig. 1B, through holes 20 a' to 20g 'are formed in a circular base 10'. Fig. 3A is a top view schematically showing the food granules 1', and fig. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IIIB-IIIB in the top view of fig. 3A.

(number of through-holes)

The pet food particle of the present embodiment has 6 to 8 through holes. The through-holes allow food particles to pass through in the thickness direction. The number of through holes may be 6, 7, or 8. By setting the number of the through holes to 6 or more, starting points at which the food particles are broken when the pet chews are increased, and the pet becomes easy to bite. By setting the number of through holes to 8 or less, it is possible to provide a suitable chewing force while suppressing the food particles from being broken by transportation or the like.

For example, the pet food pellet 1 shown in fig. 1A and 2A, B has 6 through holes 20a to 20f, and the pet food pellet 1 ' shown in fig. 1B and 3A, B has 7 through holes 20a ' to 20g '.

(shape of through hole)

The shape of 6 to 8 through holes in the food granules is not particularly limited, and may be any shape. The through holes may have substantially the same shape or different shapes. Examples of the shape of the through-hole include a circle, an ellipse, and a polygon (e.g., a triangle, a quadrangle, a pentagon, a hexagon, a rhombus, and a trapezoid).

For example, in the pet food pellet 1 shown in fig. 1A and 2A, B, the through-holes 20a to 20f have substantially the same elliptical shape. In the pet food pellet 1 ' shown in fig. 1B and 3A, B, the through-holes 20a ' to 20f ' have substantially triangular shapes, and the through-hole 20g has a circular shape.

(size of through hole)

The 6 to 8 through holes may be substantially the same size or different sizes. The size of the through-hole is not particularly limited, but the long diameter is preferably in the range of 0.01 to 0.25mm, more preferably 0.03 to 0.22mm, and further preferably 0.05 to 0.2 mm. By setting the length of the through-hole within the above range, the pet can easily bite when chewing, and a proper chewing force can be provided. In addition, the food particles can be prevented from being broken during transportation or the like. The "major axis of the through-hole" means the diameter (longest diameter) of the portion where the diameter of the through-hole is the longest on the surface of the food pellet. For example, the major axis of the through-hole 20a is a length shown by the major axis ll (20a) in fig. 2A, and the major axis of the through-hole 20a 'is a length shown by the major axis ll (20 a') in fig. 3A.

The short diameter of the through-hole is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include 0.01 to 0.20mm, preferably 0.03 to 0.15mm, and more preferably 0.03 to 0.1 mm. By setting the length of the through-hole within the above range, the pet can easily bite when chewing, and a proper chewing force can be provided. In addition, the food particles can be prevented from being broken during transportation or the like. The "minor diameter of the through-hole" means the diameter (shortest diameter) of the portion where the diameter of the through-hole is the shortest on the surface of the food pellet. For example, the short diameter of the through-hole 20a is a length shown by the short diameter sl (20a) in fig. 2A, and the short diameter of the through-hole 20a 'is a length shown by the short diameter sl (20 a') in fig. 3A.

For example, in the pet food pellet 1 shown in fig. 1A and 2A, B, the through holes 20a to 20f have a major axis and a minor axis of substantially the same size. The through holes 20a to 20f have long diameters ll (20a) to ll (20f) in the range of 0.01 to 0.25mm, for example. The short diameters sl (20a) to sl (20f) of the through holes 20a to 20f are, for example, in the range of 0.01 to 0.25 mm.

For example, in the pet food pellet 1 ' shown in fig. 1B and 3A, B, the through holes 20a ' to 20f ' have long and short diameters of substantially the same size. The through holes 20a 'to 20 f' have long diameters ll (20a ') to ll (20 f') in the range of 0.01 to 0.25mm, for example. The short diameters sl (20a ') to sl (20 f') of the through holes 20a 'to 20 f' are, for example, in the range of 0.01 to 0.25 mm. The through hole 20g ' is circular, and the major diameter ll (20g ') and the minor diameter sl (20g ') are substantially the same size, for example, in the range of 0.01 to 0.25 mm.

The through-hole may have a substantially uniform diameter in the thickness direction, but need not necessarily have a uniform diameter, and may have irregularities or a tapered shape.

(arrangement of through-holes)

The arrangement of 6 to 8 through holes is not particularly limited, and any arrangement may be adopted. For example, the through holes may be arranged in 2 or 3 rows, or may be arranged in a lattice pattern, or may be arranged in a circle, an ellipse, or a polygon (e.g., a triangle, a quadrangle, a pentagon, a hexagon, a rhombus, or a trapezoid).

For example, in the pet food pellet 1 shown in fig. 1A and 2A, B, the through holes 20a to 20f are arranged in 2 rows, the through holes 20a to 20c are arranged in the 1 st row, and the through holes 20d to 20f are arranged in the 2 nd row. The 1 st example including the through holes 20a to 20c and the 2 nd row including the through holes 20d to 20f are arranged substantially parallel to each other.

For example, in the pet food pellet 1 'shown in fig. 1B and 3A, B, the through-holes 20 g' are arranged at substantially the center of the base 10 '(hereinafter, the through-holes 20 g' are also referred to as "center holes 20g '"), and the through-holes 20 a' to 20f 'are arranged at substantially equal intervals along the outer periphery of the center hole 20 g' (hereinafter, the through-holes 20a 'to 20 f' are also referred to as "outer peripheral holes 20a 'to 20 f'").

(distance between through holes)

The distance between the through holes is not particularly limited, and for example, the average value of the shortest distances between adjacent through holes may be 3.0mm or less. The average value of the shortest distances between adjacent through holes is preferably 1.5 to 2.8mm or less. The "shortest distance between adjacent through holes" means a distance at which the distance between the outer peripheries of adjacent through holes is shortest. The term "average value of the shortest distances between adjacent through holes" refers to an average value of values obtained by measuring the shortest distances between adjacent through holes for all through holes present in the food pellet for pet food.

For example, as in the case of the pet food pellet 1 shown in fig. 1A and 2A, B, when the through holes are arranged in 2 rows including the 1 st row and the 2 nd row, the average value (a1) of the shortest distances between adjacent through holes arranged in the same row may be 3.0mm or less. The average value (A1) of the shortest distances is preferably 1.8 to 2.5 mm. By setting the average value (a1) of the shortest distances between the through holes to be within the above range, the pet can easily bite when chewing, and a proper chewing force can be provided. In addition, the food particles can be prevented from being broken during transportation or the like. In fig. 2A, the shortest distance between the adjacent through holes 20a and 20b arranged in the 1 st row is a distance indicated by d (20 ab). The average value (a1) of the shortest distances is calculated as an average value of the shortest distance d (20ab) between the through holes 20a and 20b, the shortest distance d (20bc) between the through holes 20b and 20c, the shortest distance d (20de) between the through holes 20d and 20e, and the shortest distance d (20ef) between the through holes 20e and 20 f. The distance between the through holes arranged in the 1 st row and the 2 nd row (for example, the distance indicated by d (20ad) in fig. 2A) is not considered in the calculation of the average value (a 1).

For example, in the case where the through-holes include 1 center hole 20g ' disposed substantially at the center of the base 10 ' and outer peripheral holes 20a ' to 20f ' disposed on the outer periphery of the center hole 20 ' as in the pet food pellet 1 ' shown in fig. 1B and 3A, B, the average value (a2) of the shortest distances between the center hole 20g ' and the outer peripheral holes 20a ' to 20f ' may be 3.0mm or less. The average value (A2) of the shortest distances is preferably 1.5 to 2.8 mm. By setting the average value (a2) of the shortest distances between the through holes to be within the above range, the pet can easily bite when chewing, and a proper chewing force can be provided. In addition, the food particles can be prevented from being broken during transportation or the like. In fig. 3A, the shortest distance between the center hole 20g 'and the outer peripheral hole 20 a' is a distance indicated by d (20a 'g'). The average value (a2) of the shortest distances is calculated as an average value of the shortest distance d (20a 'g') between the through holes 20a ', 20 g', the shortest distance d (20b 'g') between the through holes 20b ', 20 g', the shortest distance d (20c 'g') between the through holes 20c ', 20 g', the shortest distance d (20d 'g') between the through holes 20d ', 20 g', the shortest distance d (20e 'g') between the through holes 20e ', 20 g', and the shortest distance d (20f 'g') between the through holes 20f ', 20 g'. The distance between the outer peripheral holes (e.g., the distance indicated by d (20a 'f') in fig. 3A) is not considered in the calculation of the average value (a2) of the aforementioned shortest distances.

(shape, size of food particle)

The shape of the pet food pellet is not particularly limited as long as it is granular, and any shape can be used. Examples of the shape of the food granules include, but are not limited to, a circle, an ellipse, a polygon (e.g., a triangle, a quadrangle, a pentagon, a hexagon, a rhombus, a trapezoid, etc.), a star, a heart, a clover, a cross, etc.

The long diameter and the short diameter of the food particle for pet food are both within the range of 3-30 mm. The food particles preferably have a major diameter and a minor diameter of 6 to 16.5mm, and more preferably 8 to 13 mm. By setting the major axis and the minor axis of the food particle for pet food to the aforementioned preferable ranges, the food particle for small pets such as cats and small dogs can be easily eaten. Further, the size can be set to a size that the owner can easily pinch with fingers.

For example, the major axis and minor axis of the pet food pellet 1 are shown as length ll (10) and length sl (10) in fig. 2A, respectively. For example, the major axis and minor axis of the pet food pellet 1 ' are shown as ll (10 ') and sl (10 ') in fig. 3A, respectively.

The thickness of the food particles for pet food is 3.5 to 6 mm. The thickness of the pet food pellet is more preferably 3.5 to 5.5mm, and still more preferably 3.5 to 5 mm. By setting the thickness of the pet food pellet within the above-described preferable range, the pet food pellet is easily eaten by small pets such as cats and small dogs, and is easily bitten into the mouth, thereby improving the palatability. Further, the thickness can be set to a thickness that the owner can easily pinch with his fingers.

For example, the thickness of the pet food pellet 1 is a length indicated by t (10) in fig. 2B. For example, the thickness of the food particles 1 'is shown as t (10') in FIG. 3B.

(relationship between thickness of food particle and through-hole)

The ratio of the thickness (mm) of the food granules to the number of through-holes (thickness/number of through-holes) is preferably 0.85 or less, more preferably 0.70 or less. By setting the ratio of the thickness of the food granules to the number of the through-holes within the above-described preferred range, crumbling can be easily achieved while retaining chewy texture, and crumbling during transportation can be suppressed.

For example, in the food pellet 1 for pet food shown in fig. 1A and 2A, B, the ratio of the thickness (mm) of the food pellet to the number of through holes (thickness/number of through holes) is calculated by "the thickness t (10) mm of the food pellet/the number of through holes (6)".

For example, in the food pellet 1 'for pet food shown in fig. 1B and 3A, B, the ratio of the thickness (mm) of the food pellet to the number of through holes (thickness/number of through holes) is calculated by "the thickness t (10') mm of the food pellet/the number of through holes (7)".

For example, as in the case of the pet food pellet 1 shown in fig. 1A and 2A, B, when the through holes are arranged in 2 rows including the 1 st row and the 2 nd row, the value of the ratio of the average value (a1) of the shortest distances (mm) between the through holes arranged in the same row to the number of through holes (average value (a1) of the shortest distances (mm)/number of through holes) is preferably less than 0.47, and more preferably 0.25 to 0.46. By setting the ratio of the thickness of the food granules to the number of the through-holes within the above-described preferred range, crumbling can be easily achieved while retaining chewy texture, and crumbling during transportation can be suppressed.

For example, as in the case of the pet food pellet 1 ' shown in fig. 1B and 3A, B, in the case where the through-holes include 1 center hole 20g ' disposed at the substantially center of the base 10 ' and outer peripheral holes 20a ' to 20f ' disposed on the outer periphery of the center hole 20 ', the value of the ratio of the average value (a2) of the shortest distances (mm) between the center hole 20g ' and the outer peripheral holes 20a ' to 20f ' to the number of through-holes (average value (a2) of the shortest distances)/the number of through-holes) is preferably less than 0.47, and more preferably 0.25 to 0.46. By setting the ratio of the thickness of the food granules to the number of the through-holes within the above-described preferred range, crumbling can be easily achieved while retaining chewy texture, and crumbling during transportation can be suppressed.

(surface area of food particle. surface area of through-hole)

The surface area of the food particles for pet food is preferably 125mm²The following, furtherPreferably 120mm²Hereinafter, more preferably 115mm²The following.

By setting the surface area of the food particles to the upper limit value or less, even a small pet such as a cat can easily bite.

In addition, the total surface area of the through holes is preferably 0.5 to 4mm²More preferably 0.8 to 3mm². By setting the total surface area of the through-holes within the above range, it is possible to produce food particles that are not easily broken and are easily bitten. The "total of the surface areas of the through-holes" is a value obtained by measuring the surface area of all the through-holes present in the food particle and adding the surface area values. That is, in the food pellet 1 for pet food shown in fig. 1A and 2A, B, the total of the surface areas of the through-holes is a value obtained by adding up the surface areas of the through-holes 20a to 20 f. In the food pellet 1 ' for pet food shown in fig. 1B and 3, the total of the surface areas of the through-holes is a value obtained by adding up the surface areas of the through-holes 20a ' to 20g '.

The ratio of the total surface area of the through holes to the surface area of the food particles (total surface area of the through holes/surface area of the food particles × 100) is preferably 0.2 to 5.0%, and more preferably 1.0 to 2.0. By setting the ratio (total of the surface areas of the through-holes/surface area of the food particles) within the above range, it is possible to produce food particles that are less likely to be broken and are easily bitten.

In addition, the total of the surface areas of the through-holes (mm)²) The ratio of the thickness (mm) of the food particles to the total surface area (mm) of the through-holes is preferably²): thickness (mm) of food particles 1: 1-6: 1, more preferably 1.5: 1-3: 1. by setting the ratio of the total surface area of the through-holes to the surface area of the food particles within the above range, it is possible to produce food particles that are less likely to be broken and are easily bitten.

(raw Material for food particles)

The food particles may suitably use known raw materials in pet foods. The food granules may be obtained by heating and molding a raw material mixture in which a powder raw material and a liquid raw material are mixed, for example. The food pellet may be an expanded pellet or a non-expanded pellet, and an expanded pellet is preferable from the viewpoint of taste. The "expanded pellet" is obtained by forming a raw material mixture into a pellet shape and subjecting the raw material mixture to an expansion step of foaming the inside of the raw material mixture. The "puffing step" is a step of generating a gas inside the raw material mixture by a method such as heating, fermentation, chemical reaction or pressure reduction. In the puffing step, gas is generated, so that the volume of the raw material mixture increases and the raw material mixture becomes porous. The volume of the raw material mixture increases and thus the bulk density decreases. The "puffed particles" can be obtained by forming the raw material mixture into particles before, after, or simultaneously with the puffing step. The "non-expanded pellet" is a pellet produced without an expansion step.

Examples of the powder raw material include, as main raw materials: cereals (corn, wheat, rice, corn gluten meal, wheat bran, bread meal, barley, oats, rye, etc.), potatoes (sweet potato, etc.), beans (whole soybean, defatted soybean, etc.), starches (wheat starch, corn starch, rice starch, potato starch, tapioca starch, sweet potato starch, sago starch, processed starch, etc.), meats (livestock and poultry meat such as chicken, beef, pork, deer meat, etc., livers, beef tendons, pig ears, chicken breast meat, etc., processed products thereof, chicken meal, pork meal, beef meal, mixed meal thereof, meat extracts, etc.), fish and shellfish (tuna, bonito, horse fish, shrimp, crab, etc., soft body animals such as octopus, cuttlefish, etc., shellfish, processed products thereof, fish meal, fish extracts, bonito dried fish, etc., small fish, white fish, etc., representing meat quality thereof, etc., meat, etc., which represent forms thereof, meat of fish, etc., which represent meat quality thereof, etc., meat of fish, pork, etc., which represent forms of fish, tuna blood and meat etc. showing the part thereof. ) Vegetables, seeds, fungi, fruits, algae, eggs, saccharides, milk, and others (herbs, yeasts, cellulose, and the like), and examples of the additives include vitamins, inorganic salts, amino acids, sour agents, seasonings, flavor materials, colorants, preservatives, emulsifiers, antioxidants, and the like.

Examples of the liquid material include water, oils and fats, saccharides (such as liquid sugar), a humectant, a storage agent, and an emulsifier. The humectant and the emulsifier may be added in the form of an aqueous solution.

The oil can be vegetable oil or animal oil. Animal fats and oils are preferably used because high preference is easily obtained. Preferred animal fat and oil include chicken fat, lard (lard), beef fat (beef tallow), and milk fat.

After drying the expanded beads, a liquid material (coating agent) containing oils and fats, seasonings, taste agents, perfumes, and the like may be applied. The coating agent preferably contains an animal fat, and particularly preferably contains beef tallow.

Examples of the formulation of the food particles include 20 to 70% by mass of grains, 10 to 50% by mass of meats, 0 to 30% by mass of fish and shellfish, 0 to 10% by mass of vitamins, minerals and amino acids, 0 to 15% by mass of cellulose powder, and 1 to 20% by mass of animal fat.

The formulation of the food granules is preferably set in consideration of, for example, nutritional balance, and preferably satisfies the criteria of a comprehensive nutritional food. For example, when the food granules are a cat food, it is preferable to use a comprehensive nutritional food that satisfies the nutritional food standards of cats.

The pet food pellet of the present embodiment is a dry food pellet, and has a moisture content of about 6 mass%.

The pet food pellet of the present embodiment has 6 to 8 through holes, and even in the case of a dry food pellet, has a hardness in the range of 15 to 50N and a hardness that is easily crumbled. The hardness of the pet food pellet of the present embodiment is more preferably 35N or less.

In the pet food pellet of the present embodiment, the hardness of the food pellet is in the range of 15 to 50N by providing 6 to 8 through holes regardless of the component composition of the food pellet. Thus, food granules which maintain chewy and are easily bitten into are realized. Further, by controlling the size of the through-holes, the distance between the through-holes, and the like, it is possible to produce food particles which are less likely to be broken during transportation or the like, and which are chewy and easy to be bitten.

Since the hardness of the food particles for pet food of the present embodiment is within a predetermined range, the food particles are easily chewed and eaten even by pets having weak masticatory force, such as small pets including cats and small dogs, aged pets, and sick pets. On the other hand, since the component composition of the food granules can be set to be arbitrary, it is possible to provide easily-chewed food granules for pet food containing desired nutritional components.

Other constitutions

The pet food pellet of the present embodiment may have another configuration. As another configuration, for example, a coating portion that coats a part of the food particle (substrate) may be mentioned.

(coating portion)

The coating portion coats a portion of the food pellet. The coating preferably has a different composition than the food particles.

The coating portion does not coat the entirety of the food granules, and a part of the food granules is exposed. The pet food is provided with a visual change, a change in taste, and a change in flavor by the coating portion having a different component composition from that of the food particles.

The area ratio of the coating portion to the surface area of the entire food granules is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include 5 to 50%, preferably 5 to 30%, and more preferably 5 to 25%. More specifically, when the method described in "measurement of area ratio of coating portion" measurement method 1 "is used, the area ratio of the coating portion to the surface area of the entire pet food is 5 to 50%, preferably 5 to 30%, more preferably 5 to 25%, and further preferably 7 to 15%. In the case of using the method described in the above "[ measurement of area ratio of coating portion ] (measurement method 2)", the area ratio of the coating portion to the surface area of the whole pet food is, for example, 5 to 50%, preferably 5 to 40%, more preferably 8 to 30%, and further preferably 10 to 25%. In the case of a granular pet food, the area ratio of the coating portion can be calculated for a plurality of (for example, about 2 to 10) food granules by the method described in "measurement of area ratio of coating portion" measurement method 2 "above, and the average value thereof can be used as the area ratio of the coating portion.

The pet food pellet may have a surface having a coating portion and a surface formed of an exposed portion exposed only from the base. In this case, when the surface having the covering portion and the surface formed only by the exposed portion are sandwiched between the teeth of the pet, the teeth enter from the covering portion on the surface having the covering portion, and then the teeth gradually enter into the food granules, so that different tastes can be given depending on the biting depth. That is, pet food pellets having different texture depending on the region in the depth direction of biting (starting biting to ending biting) can be provided.

The height of the coating portion is not particularly limited, and for example, the height from the surface of the food pellet to the topmost portion of the coating portion is 0.1 to 2mm, preferably 0.5 to 2 mm. By setting the height of the covering portion to be equal to or greater than the lower limit of the above range, the taste of the covering portion can be imparted at the start of biting. Further, the height of the covering portion is set to be equal to or less than the upper limit value of the above range, thereby suppressing the peeling of the covering portion.

The shape of the coating portion is not particularly limited, and is preferably a linear shape in view of production efficiency. For example, the coating portion may be formed in a linear shape so as to intersect or longitudinally intersect the food granules. The width of the wire in the linear coating portion is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, 0.1 to 5mm, preferably 0.5 to 3 mm. The width of the line need not be constant and may be a non-uniform line width. The coating portion in the form of a string may be formed in only 1 strip or may be formed in a plurality of strips (for example, 2 or 3 strips) on the food granules. The shape of the coating portion is not limited to a linear shape, and may be a dot shape, a circular shape, a polygonal shape, or the like.

The color of the coating portion is preferably different from the color of the base. Thus, the pet food particle can be given a change in appearance, and arouses the interest of the pet. The difference in color between the cover and the base is preferably a difference in color to the extent that a pet can visually recognize. For example, it is preferable that at least 1 condition selected from the group consisting of the following (a) to (d) is satisfied in the cillab color space.

(a)ΔL^*(L of the coating portion^*L of the substrate^*) Is 5.0 or more

(b)ΔE^*(color difference between the coating and the base) of 5.0 or more

(c)ΔC^*(C of coating portion^*C of the substrate^*) Is-7.5 to-1.0

(d)ΔC^*(C of coating portion^*C of the substrate^*) Is 1.0 to 7.5

The color of the coating portion and the base preferably satisfies any 2 or more of the above (a), (b), and (c) or (d), and more preferably satisfies 3 of (a) to (c) or 3 of (a), (b), and (d). The aforementioned Δ L^*Preferably 7 or more, more preferably 8 or more, and still more preferably 9 or more. As the aforementioned Δ L^*The range of (1) is, for example, 5 to 15, preferably 7 to 13, more preferably 8 to 12, and further preferably 9 to 11. The aforementioned Δ E^*Preferably 7 or more, more preferably 8 or more, and still more preferably 9 or more.

As the aforementioned Δ E^*Examples of the range of (1) include 5 to 18, preferably 7 to 15, more preferably 8 to 13, and further preferably 9 to 12.Δ C mentioned above^*For example, it is preferably from-7.0 to-1.5, more preferably from-6.0 to-2.0, and still more preferably from-5.0 to-3.0. Or, the aforementioned Δ C^*For example, it is preferably 1.5 to 7.0, more preferably 2.0 to 6.0, and further preferably 3.0 to 5.0. Delta C^*In the range of-7.5 to-1.0, the covered part is visually recognized as a darker (palette) color than the base. Delta C^*In the range of 1.0 to 7.5, the coating part is visually recognized as a brighter (light) color than the base part.

The breaking force (hardness) of the coating portion is preferably different from the breaking force of the base. Thereby, a change is imparted to the mouthfeel of the food particle for pet food. The breaking force of the coating portion is preferably lower than that of the base. This gives the coated portion of the food pellet for pet food a soft texture that allows the pet food to be easily bitten into the teeth, and gives the exposed portion of the base a hard texture. That is, pet food particles having different texture depending on the region in the chewing plane direction can be provided. Further, the particles are soft when the biting depth is shallow (such as when biting is started), so that teeth are easily bitten into the particles, and a hard texture can be felt when biting is deep. That is, pet food pellets having different texture depending on the region in the biting depth direction (starting biting to ending biting) can be provided.

The taste of the coating portion is preferably different from the taste of the base. Thereby, a change is imparted to the taste of the food particles for pet food. That is, pet food particles having different tastes depending on the region in the chewing plane direction can be provided. It is possible to provide pet food particles having different tastes depending on regions in the biting depth direction (from start to end of biting).

The coating portion may be composed of a component different from that of the base, and any known material for pet food may be suitably used. The coating portion may contain, for example, a fat or oil and a powder material. As the composition for forming the coating portion, for example, a cream composition is exemplified. For example, an oil or fat, a powdery material, and an appropriate excipient may be mixed and stirred at about 40 to 60 ℃ to prepare a cream-like composition, which is used as the coating portion-forming composition. The coating portion can be formed by, for example, coating a part of the substrate with the above-mentioned cream composition and cooling and solidifying the coated part.

The oil can be vegetable oil or animal oil. In addition, hardened grease may be used.

As the oil or fat, for example, a combination of an oil or fat having a high melting point (about 45 to 65 ℃ C., preferably about 56.5 to 60.5 ℃ C.) and an oil or fat having a low melting point (about 20 to 45 ℃ C., preferably about 30 to 40 ℃ C.) is preferably used. When only oils and fats having a high melting point are used, they are not easily melted in the body and hardly decomposed when ingested. On the other hand, when only a fat or oil having a low melting point is used, the processability is poor, and the fat or oil may melt at a high temperature. By using an oil or fat having a high melting point and an oil or fat having a low melting point in combination, a composition which is excellent in processability and is easily melted when eaten can be obtained. Examples of such a combination include a combination of a vegetable oil and a hardened oil and fat. Or refined beef tallow, refined lard, chicken fat, mutton fat, horse fat, palm distillate oil, palm kernel oil, vegetable oil, fish oil, fatty acid (linoleic acid, linolenic acid, etc.), butter, etc. can be used instead of or together with the vegetable oil. Palm oil is a suitable example of the vegetable oil or fat. The hardened fat and oil may be vegetable or animal. The hardened fat is preferably an extremely hardened fat (melting point 56.5 to 60.5 ℃).

The powder raw material is blended in order to reduce the fluidity of the cream-like composition and form a raised coating portion. As examples of the powdery raw material, all powdery raw materials usable in pet foods can be used without particular limitation. Examples thereof include those exemplified in the above "(raw material for food particles)". Specifically, examples thereof include grains, meat, starches, grains, sugars, beans, fish, shellfish, eggs, milk, vegetable protein extracts, fruits, fungi, algae, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, cellulose, yeast, essences, seasonings and the like.

The preferred examples of the powdery material include soybean powder, among which concentrated soybean protein is preferred, and those subjected to heat treatment in consideration of digestion are more preferred, and α -modified wheat flour, isolated soybean protein, protein hydrolysate, beer yeast powder, cheese powder, milk powder, fish and shellfish powder, amino acid powder, meat-based, beans, rice flour, malt powder, nucleic acid and the like may be used instead of or together with soybean powder.

As a raw material of the coating portion-forming composition, a freeze-dried raw material may be used in addition to the above from the viewpoint of improving appearance and taste. The freeze-dried material may be, for example, sprinkled into the cream composition after coating the food particles with the cream composition and before solidifying the same.

Examples of the formulation of the composition for forming the coating portion include 5 to 70% by mass in total of oils and fats having a low melting point (e.g., vegetable oils and fats), 3 to 40% by mass in total of oils and fats having a high melting point (e.g., extremely hardened oils and fats), 5 to 70% by mass in total of powder raw materials, and 2.5 to 35% by mass in total of excipients (e.g., dextrin, starch, monosaccharide, oligosaccharide, etc.).

The ratio of the mass of the coating portion to the total mass of the pet food pellet is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include 1 to 20 mass%, preferably 3 to 15 mass%, and more preferably 5 to 12 mass%.

Since the pet food pellet of the present embodiment has 6 to 8 through holes, when the covering portion is provided, a part of the covering portion enters the through holes, and the covering portion is less likely to peel off. Therefore, as a preferable example of the pet food pellet of the present embodiment, a food pellet having a coating portion that coats a part of the food pellet (base) can be exemplified.

< method for producing food pellet for pet food >

The above-mentioned food particles for pet food can be produced as follows.

[ granulation Process ]

In the granulation step, the raw material mixture is granulated to obtain food granules. A known method can be used for a method of mixing raw materials to prepare a raw material mixture and a method of molding (granulating) the raw material mixture into granules.

For example, a method of producing expanded pellets using an extruder can be suitably used.

The method for producing expanded beads using an extruder may be, for example, the method described in "clinical Nutrition 5 th edition of Small animals" (Michael S. hand, Craig D. thatcher, Rebecca L. Hamilard, Philip Roudebausg, BruceJ. Novotny edition, Mark Morris Associates, 2014; p.209 to p.215).

An example of a method for producing expanded pellets using an extruder will be described. First, the raw materials other than the external additive in the raw materials of the expanded beads are pulverized as necessary and then mixed. It may be mixed with grinding by a grinder or the like. Further, water (not included in the raw material composition) is added as necessary to obtain a raw material mixture.

The obtained raw material mixture was put into an extruder, heated and pressurized, and then extruded from an outlet. The outlet is provided with a plate having a hole of a predetermined shape formed therein and a cutter for cutting the raw material mixture extruded from the plate into a predetermined length (thickness). The raw material mixture is extruded from the holes of the plate, cut by a cutter, molded into a predetermined shape, and opened from a pressurized state to normal pressure, whereby water vapor in the raw material mixture expands to expand the raw material mixture to obtain porous pellets. By attaching a metal fitting having a predetermined shape capable of forming 6 to 8 through holes to the tip of the extruder, food granules having a desired shape with 6 to 8 through holes can be obtained.

[ drying Process ]

The pellets thus obtained are dried to a predetermined moisture content as needed to obtain expanded pellets (food pellets). In the case of producing dry food granules, a drying step is necessary.

For example, the moisture content of pellets discharged from the extruder is 10 to 20 mass%. When the water content is contained in this range, good moldability is easily obtained.

The temperature of the pellets discharged from the extruder is dependent on the heating temperature within the extruder. For example, 90 to 150 ℃.

The method of drying the pellets discharged from the extruder may suitably employ a known method. Examples thereof include a hot air drying method in which hot air is blown to the pellets to dry them, a reduced pressure drying method, and a method of frying in oil. For example, a hot air drying method using a conveyor-type hot air dryer is preferable.

The drying conditions (temperature, time) may be as follows: the temperature of the pellets is raised to 100 ℃ or higher without causing thermal denaturation of the pellet components to evaporate the moisture in the pellets, and the moisture content can be adjusted to a desired moisture content.

For example, when the particles are dried by a hot air dryer, the temperature of the hot air contacting the particles is preferably 100 to 140 ℃, more preferably 100 to 110 ℃. The drying time is not particularly limited, and is, for example, about 5 to 20 minutes.

The pet food may be further coated with a coating agent containing crude beef tallow, seasoning, or spices, etc. after drying.

The coating method is not particularly limited, and may be performed by, for example, a vacuum coating method.

The vacuum coating method is a method in which the heated food particles are brought into contact with or adhered to the coating agent, and then the pressure is reduced, and then the atmosphere is gradually opened. The coating agent may be in the form of a liquid or a powder. The pet's preference (keen) can be improved by the coating.

Formation of coating portion

The pet food particle of the above embodiment may have a coating portion that coats a part of the food particle (base). The coating portion can be formed, for example, as follows.

[ preparation of composition for Forming coating portion ]

First, the fat component is put into a cylindrical pot or the like and mixed, and heated to 50 to 70 ℃ (preferably about 65 ℃ (fat component mixture). In addition, raw materials other than the fat and oil component are mixed (powder raw material mixture). Then, the powder material mixture is stirred with a homogenizing and dispersing machine or a homogenizer for about 10 to 15 minutes while the powder material mixture is added to the oil component mixture. During the stirring, the temperature is preferably maintained at 55 ℃ or higher (preferably about 60 ℃). Thus, a cream-like coating portion-forming composition can be obtained. The coating-forming composition may be filtered through a sieve (for example, having a mesh size of 650 to 800 μm) after the stirring. The composition for forming the coating portion can be stored in a heat-insulating tank which is kept at 40 to 70 ℃.

[ coating Process ]

The coating step is a step of coating a part of the food particles with the coating-portion-forming composition. The coating step can be performed using a decorator (decorator), for example. For example, the coating portion forming composition may be ejected from above onto a decorating device for food granules conveyed by a conveyor belt, thereby coating a part of the food granules with the coating portion forming composition. The nozzle diameter of the decorator may be adjusted as appropriate according to the size of the food particles, and may be, for example, about 0.5 to 2mm (e.g., about 0.75 mm). The movement of the nozzle of the decorator is not particularly limited, and, for example, the nozzle may be moved in an elliptical direction with respect to the traveling direction of the conveyor belt from the viewpoint of coating efficiency. In the process of ejecting the composition for forming the coating portion, the vicinity of the discharge portion of the decorator is preferably maintained at 40 to 70 ℃.

The coating portion forming composition is discharged from above the food granules, thereby forming the coating portion only on the upper surface of the food granules. After the food granules are formed on the upper surfaces of the food granules, the food granules are turned over, and the coating portion-forming composition is discharged onto the back surfaces of the food granules, whereby the coating portions can be formed on the back surfaces of the food granules.

[ curing step ]

The curing step is a step of curing the coating portion-forming composition. The coating portion-forming composition can be cured by, for example, cooling. The cooling may be carried out by lowering the temperature to the curing temperature of the coating portion-forming composition, and for example, 30 to 40 ℃ or lower. The curing of the coating portion-forming composition may be achieved at room temperature, but in order to shorten the time until curing, cooling may be performed by a spot cooler (spot cooler) or the like.

[ connection breaking step ]

The connection breaking step is a step of breaking the pieces of the pet food joined by the coating portion-forming composition. The bond failure may be performed by applying an impact to the food particles. The method of applying the impact is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a method of releasing the connection using a ladder shooter (ladder shooter) or the like, and a method of applying vibration. The connection breaking step may be performed after the coating step and before the curing step, may be performed after the curing step, or may be performed both before and after the curing step.

Examples

The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

[ production example of food particles for Pet food ]

The raw material mixture obtained was put into an extruder, subjected to a heating treatment at about 115 ℃ for about 2 minutes while mixing to convert the starch component α into granules, and extruded and granulated into granules at the outlet of the extruder, and the granules were prepared by attaching a tip attachment having a predetermined shape to the outlet of the extruder, extruding the kneaded mixture in a column shape, and cutting the column shape so that the thickness thereof became 4mm with a cutter.

The obtained granules are dried at about 100 ℃ for 5 to 20 minutes by a dryer, and then coated with an external additive (1.5% oil coating) to obtain food granules as dry puffed granules.

[ Table 1]

Raw materials	Mass (%)
		Cereals	39.4％
Meat product	39.2％
		Fish and shellfish	3.8％
Yeast class	3.2％
		Vitamins, minerals and amino acids	3.6％
Animal oilFat and oil	10.8％

(example 1)

According to the above production example, food granules were produced using the four-sided 6-hole shaped tip attachment, and four-sided 6-hole shaped food granules (see fig. 1A) were obtained. This was used as the food particles of example 1. Hereinafter, each through-hole of the food pellet of example 1 is represented by a symbol shown in fig. 2 (a).

(example 2)

According to the above production example, food granules were produced using the circular 7-hole shaped tip attachment, and food granules having a circular 7-hole shape (see fig. 1B) were obtained. This was used as the food particles of example 2. Hereinafter, each through-hole of the food pellet of example 2 is represented by a symbol shown in fig. 2 (B).

Comparative example 1

According to the above production example, food granules were produced using the front end attachment having a shape without a center hole, and food granules having a shape without a center hole were obtained. This was used as the food pellet of comparative example 1.

Comparative example 2

A commercially available dry granulated pet food (ゴンタ, m.p. デンタフード; manufactured by SUNRISE company limited) was purchased as the food granules of comparative example 2. The food granules of comparative example 2 were each provided with 1 central hole (hereinafter, referred to as "hole 0") and 5 peripheral holes (hereinafter, referred to as "hole 1", "hole 2", "hole 3", "hole 4", and "hole 5") in a circular food granule.

[ evaluation of hardness ]

The hardness of the food granules of each example was measured by the method described in "method for measuring hardness".

The results are shown in tables 2 and 3.

[ Table 2]

[ Table 3]

In examples 1 and 2, the thickness of any food particle was within a range of 3.5 to 6mm, and the hardness was within a range of 15 to 50N. The value of thickness (mm)/number of through holes of the food granules is 0.85 or less.

The food particles of comparative example 1 had a thickness in the range of 3.5 to 6mm, but most of the food particles had a hardness of more than 50N.

For the food particles of comparative example 2, the thickness exceeded 6mm, and the hardness of most of the food particles exceeded 50N. Any food particle exceeds 1 for the value of thickness (mm)/number of through holes of the food particle.

From the above results, it was found that by setting the thickness of the food granules and the thickness (mm)/number of through holes of the food granules to predetermined ranges, it is possible to accurately produce food granules having a hardness in the range of 15 to 50N.

[ shortest distance between through-holes ]

The shortest distance between the through-holes of the food granules of each example was measured by the method described in "method for measuring shortest distance between through-holes of food granules ]". The results are shown in tables 4 to 8.

[ Table 4]

[ Table 5]

[ Table 6]

[ Table 7]

[ Table 8]

In example 1, the average value (a1) of the shortest distances between through holes arranged in the same row was 3mm or less for all food particles. In addition, the average value (a 1)/number of through holes (n) of the shortest distances between through holes is less than 0.47 for any food particles. In addition, the shortest distance d (20ad) between the through holes 20a in the 1 st row and the through holes 20d in the 2 nd row and the average value (A3) of the average values (a1) and d (20ad) are also the same, and any food particles are 3mm or less. Further, the average value (a 3)/number of through holes (n) was also the same, and all of the food granules were less than 0.47.

In example 2, the average value (a2) of the shortest distances between the center hole and the outer peripheral hole was 3mm or less for all food particles. In addition, the average value (a 2)/number of through holes (n) of the shortest distances between through holes is less than 0.47 for any food particles. Similarly, the shortest distance d (20a 'f') between the outer peripheral hole a 'and the outer peripheral hole 20 f' and the average value (A3) of the average values (a2) and d (20a 'f') are 3mm or less. Further, the average value (a 3)/number of through holes (n) was also the same, and all of the food granules were less than 0.47.

On the other hand, in comparative example 2, the average value of the shortest distances between the center holes and the outer peripheral holes exceeded 3mm in most of the food granules. The average value (a) of the shortest distances between through holes/the number (n) of through holes is 0.47 or more for any food particle.

As is clear from the above results, by setting the shortest distance between the through holes of the food granules and the average value of the shortest distances between the through holes/the number of through holes to be within a predetermined range, it is possible to accurately produce food granules having a hardness within the range of 15 to 50N.

[ major and minor diameters of food particles ]

The major axis and minor axis of the food granules of each example were measured by the method described in "method for measuring major axis, minor axis and thickness of food granules ]". The results are shown in Table 9.

[ Table 9]

[ major axis and minor axis of through-hole ]

The major axis and minor axis of the through-holes of the food granules of each example were measured by the method described in "method for measuring major axis and minor axis of through-holes ]". The results are shown in Table 10.

[ Table 10]

In examples 1 and 2, the average value of the major axes of the through holes was in the range of 0.01 to 0.25 mm.

[ surface area of food particles and through-holes ]

The surface area and pore surface area of the food granules were measured for granule nos. 1 to 10 of each example according to the methods described in "method for measuring surface area of food granules" and "method for measuring surface area of through-holes". The results are shown in Table 11. The average of 10 food particles is shown in table 11.

[ Table 11]

As shown in Table 11, the surface area of the food granules was 125mm in examples 1 and 2²The following. On the other hand, for comparative example 2, the surface area of the food particles exceeded 200mm²。

In examples 1 and 2, the ratio (S2/S1 × 100) of the total (S2) of the through-hole surface areas to the surface area (S1) of the food granules was in the range of 0.2 to 5.0%. On the other hand, in comparative example 2, (S2/S1) exceeded 7%.

In examples 1 and 2, the ratio of the average thickness of the food particles to the total (S2) of the through-hole surface areas (average thickness/S2) was in the range of 1 to 6. On the other hand, for comparative example 2, (average thickness/S2) was less than 1.

From the above results, it was found that by setting the value of the ratio of the total of the surface area of the food particles and the surface area of the through-holes (S2) to the surface area of the food particles (S1) and the value of the ratio of the average thickness of the food particles to the total of the surface areas of the through-holes (S2) within predetermined ranges, it is possible to produce food particles having a hardness within the range of 15 to 50N with high accuracy.

Reference examples 1 and 2

The food granules of example 1 and example 2 above were decorated with the cream (cream) produced as follows.

The raw materials of the creams were mixed in the formulation shown in Table 12. Vegetable fat and hardened fat were put into a cylindrical pot and heated to 65 ℃ (mixture 1). Soy protein and dextrin were mixed (mixture 2). While adding mixture 2 to mixture 1, the mixture was stirred for 10 to 15 minutes by a homomixer (model 20 AUTO MIXER manufactured by PRIMIX Corporation). The resulting mixture was passed through a sieve (mesh size: 710 μm) to obtain a cream. Storing the cream in a storage tank with the temperature of 40-70 ℃.

The cream produced as described above was put into a decoration device, and the cream was sprinkled onto the food granules of examples 1 and 2 from above by reciprocating the decoration device in the elliptical direction. The decoration was performed in such a manner that the ratio of the total mass of all the food granules to the total mass of the cream used in the decoration (total mass of food granules/total mass of cream) became 93/7. After decoration, cooling is performed to solidify the cream. Thus, food granules having a linear coating part formed of cream were obtained (reference examples 1 and 2).

[ Table 12]

Raw materials	Mass (%)
		Vegetable oil and fat	32.6％
Hardened grease	18.6％
		Soy protein	37.2％
Dextrin	11.6％

In the food granules of reference examples 1 and 2, the cream entered the through-holes, and the cream was prevented from peeling off. In addition, the food granules of reference example 1 and reference example 2 were fed to adult cats, and as a result, showed good enthusiasm (hobby).

In addition, preference for cats (N: 19) was evaluated for food granules of reference examples 1 and 2 and food granules without a coating portion at a 2-day food intake, and as a result, food granules with a coating portion were preferred (coated portion: uncoated portion: 56: 44).

The food granules of reference examples 1 and 2 were evaluated for the users of pet foods for cats, and 86% of the users' satisfaction was obtained as a result. Further, the food granules of reference examples 1 and 2 and commercially available food granules for pet food (Sheba (registered trademark) Duo (registered trademark)) were administered to a reared cat and compared, and the results were evaluated as follows: the reference examples 1 and 2 were more favorable in terms of eating (reference examples 1 and 2: the ratio of the commercial product: 58: 42).

The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Additions, omissions, substitutions, and other changes in the structure can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The invention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (14)

1. A food pellet for pet food is a dry food pellet for pet food having a major diameter and a minor diameter of 3 to 30mm and a thickness of 3.5 to 6mm,

the food particle for pet food has 6 to 8 through holes penetrating in the thickness direction of the food particle,

the hardness of the food particles is 15-50N.

2. The food particle for pet food according to claim 1, wherein the hardness of the food particle is 35N or less.

3. The food pellet for pet food according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a value of a ratio of a thickness (mm) of the food pellet to the number of the through holes (thickness (mm)/number of through holes) is 0.85 or less.

4. The food pellet for pet food according to claim 3, wherein a value of a ratio of a thickness (mm) of the food pellet to the number of the through holes (thickness (mm)/number of through holes) is 0.5 to 0.70.

5. The food particle for pet food according to claim 1, wherein the through-holes are arranged in 2 rows including a1 st row and a2 nd row.

6. The food pellet for pet food according to claim 1, wherein the through-hole comprises 1 central hole disposed at substantially the center of the food pellet and a peripheral hole disposed at the outer periphery of the central hole.

7. The food pellet for pet food according to claim 5 or 6, wherein an average value of shortest distances between adjacent through holes is 3.0mm or less.

8. The food pellet for pet food according to claim 7, wherein an average value of the shortest distances between the through-holes is 1.5 to 2.8 mm.

9. The food pellet for pet food according to claim 1, wherein a value of a ratio of an average value of shortest distances (mm) between the through holes of the food pellet to the number of the through holes (average value of shortest distances (mm)/number of through holes) is less than 0.47.

10. The food pellet for pet food according to claim 9, wherein a value of a ratio of an average value of shortest distances (mm) between the through holes of the food pellet to the number of the through holes (average value of shortest distances (mm)/number of through holes) is 0.25 to 0.46.

11. The pet food particle of claim 1, wherein the surface area of said food particle is 125mm²The following.

12. The food particle for pet food according to claim 1, wherein a ratio of the total of the surface areas of the through-holes to the surface area of the food particle (total of the surface areas of the through-holes/surface area of the food particle x 100) is 0.2 to 5.0%.

13. The food particle for pet food according to claim 1, wherein a ratio of a total of surface areas of the through-holes to a thickness of the food particle is 1: 1-6: 1.

14. the food pellet for pet food according to claim 1, wherein the through-holes have a long diameter of 0.01 to 0.25 mm.

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