WO2012171625A1

WO2012171625A1 - Foodstuff for pets

Info

Publication number: WO2012171625A1
Application number: PCT/EP2012/002438
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marinus Pannevis; Diego Marco-Martinez
Original assignee: Mars Incorporated
Priority date: 2011-06-17
Filing date: 2012-06-08
Publication date: 2012-12-20
Also published as: DE102011104444A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a foodstuff for pets comprising macronutrients selected from fat, animal protein and optionally carbohydrate and mixtures thereof, and micronutrients selected from essential fatty acids, amino acids, minerals, trace elements, secondary vegetable materials, vitamins and vitamin-like substances and mixtures thereof, wherein the animal protein possesses a biogenic amine index (BAI) of less than 1 and the foodstuff preferably provides a complete macronutrient and micronutrient diet for the pet.

Description

Foodstuff for pets

The present invention relates to a foodstuff for pets.

Numerous foodstuffs for pets, especially for cats, are known in the state of the art. They normally contain macronutrients, namely fat, protein and carbohydrate, and also micronutrients, such as essential fatty acids, amino acids, minerals, vitamins and vitamin-like substances, to satisfy the essential nutrient requirements of growing, adult and older cats.

EP I 578 207 B l teaches a multi-component foodstuff for a pet, comprising two or more separate food compositions, at least two compositions of which differ in their content of at least two of fat, protein or carbohydrate, the foodstuff enabling a pet to vary its consumption of each macronutrient independently and on a level which is ideal for any time, for use in keeping its weight, which contributes to preventing or reducing obesity, where the diet comprises feeding the animal with unlimited amounts of the multi-component foodstuff,

EP 1 578 210 Bl likewise discloses a multi-component foodstuff for cats, which comprises two or more separate food compositions, wherein the at least two compositions are selected from fat-enriched, protein-enriched and carbohydrate-enriched compositions.

Finally, EP 1 578 208 Bl teaches a method of determining the optimum macronutrient of a diet for an individual pet animal.

Particularly important aspects of a foodstuff are the acceptance and tastiness of the foodstuff, which should make the foodstuff enjoyable for the pet in the short and long term.

A great deal of research and development work in the field of the acceptance/tastiness of foodstuffs has concentrated on optimising the organoleptic qualities of the foodstuff. It has been assumed in this context that the acceptance of a foodstuff and the preference shown for one foodstuff over another is mainly determined by the taste and texture of the foodstuff. In addition, it was believed that as long as the nutrient content of the foodstuff exceeded the pet's minimum requirements, the pet would not distinguish between foodstuffs with different nutrient profiles, provided it did not have any indirect effect on the taste or texture of the foodstuff.

It is, however, still possible to improve the acceptance and tastiness of such a pet food even more.

It is an object of the invention to provide a foodstuff for pets which overcomes the disadvantages of the state of the art, especially one which exhibits improved tastiness and/or offers health benefits for the pet and/or likewise offers enhanced acceptance/enhanced pleasure when feeding.

This object is achieved by a foodstuff for pets comprising macronutrients selected from fat. animal protein and optionally carbohydrate and mixtures thereof, and micronutrients selected from essential fatty acids, amino acids, minerals, trace elements, secondary vegetable materials, vitamins and vitamin-like substances and mixtures, thereof, wherein the animal protein possesses a biogenic amine index (B AI) of less than 1 and the foodstuff preferably provides a complete macronutrient and micronutrient diet for the pet.

Macronutrients for the purposes of the present invention are understood to mean protein, carbohydrate and fat. It is essential in this context that the foodstuff of the invention should contain animal protein, while it may optionally also contain vegetable protein. The same applies to the macronutrients fat and carbohydrate, which may be present in vegetable and/or animal form.

For the purposes of the invention, the term "micronutrients" is intended to- mean substances which the animal's metabolism needs to absorb, even though they do not supply energy. They serve, for example, to build up macromolecules or as cofactors for essential enzyme reactions. Other micronutrients have an antioxidative effect.

Biogenic amines according to the present invention are primary amines, which are formed in the metabolism by enzymatic decarboxylation of amino acids. Mietz, J. L., armas, E. "Chemical Quality Index of canned tuna, as determined by high-pressure liquid chromatography", J. Food Sci. 42 (1977) 155-8 describes a biogenic amine index (BAI) which was intro- duced in order to determine the degree of putrefaction of fish. The BAI places five biogenic amines into a relationship according to the formula: BAI = (cadaverine + putrescine + histamine) / (1 + spermine + spermidine).

According to the invention, a "complete" macronutrient and micronutrient diet for the pet is understood to mean a foodstuff which, thanks to its composition, is suitable for a daily ration. If a complete foodstuff is fed as the sole source of nutrients over an extended period, i.e. preferably covering the entire life of the pet, for example, a foodstuff of this kind should satisfy all the nutrient needs of the particular pet of the given species and of the physiological state for which it is intended. A person skilled in the art is of course aware in this context of the fact that the nutrient requirements of, for example, cats are different for adult cats and kittens.

It has surprisingly been found that when using the foodstuff of the invention for pets, preferably cats, improved acceptance/tastiness was observed. Since the foodstuff of the invention as a whole provides a preferably optimum macronutrient and micronutrient diet together with a low BAI index, the foodstuff of the invention can provide health benefits for the pet and likewise exhibit enhanced pleasure when feeding.

A major advantage of the foodstuff of the invention consists in the fact that it provides both short-term and also long-term tastiness of the foodstuff for the pet. Immediate/short-term tastiness of the foodstuff is achieved by the freshness of the ingredients used, especially by adhering to the biogenic amine index. This will offer the pet tastiness from the very first day. Micronutrients and macronutrients will not have a major influence on tastiness at the beginning of feeding. The effect achieved by the micronutrients and macronutrients only makes itself felt later, after a number of days of feeding, and ensures the pet's long-term loyalty to the foodstuff. Hence, the combination of biogenic amine index and micronutrients and macronutrients provides both short-term and long-term tastiness.

The foodstuff of the invention has a total energy content which is provided by the macronutrients fat, protein and (optionally) carbohydrate. Based on the total energy in the foodstuff, the macronutrients protein, fat and carbohydrate are preferably present in a proportion of protein: total energy ratio (PER) = 40 - 60 %, preferably 50 %, fat: total energy ratio (FER) = 15 - 50 %, preferably 40 %, and carbohydrate: total energy ratio (CER) = 0 - 25 %, preferably 10 %. Studies on the proportion of the macronutrients in the total energy of the foodstuff have surprisingly shown that if the pet is free to choose the foodstuff, it will preferably eat an amount of about 50 % protein, 10 % carbohydrate and 40 % fat. based on the total energy ratio.

An optimum micronutrient diet is given if the pet is normally fed these micronutrients in sufficient quantities in a balanced diet. Information on the amount of micronutrients to be fed is known in the art and can, for example, be found in a review by the European Pet Food Industry Federation (FEDIAF), which can be obtained under the title "Nutritional Guidelines for Complete and Complementary Pet Food for Cats and Dogs" e.g. via the website www.fediaf.org. Preferred micronutrients in the foodstuff of the invention may be selected from arginine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, methionine-cystine, phenylalanine, phenylalanine-tyrosine, threonine, tryptophan, valine, taurine, linoleic acid, arachid- onic acid, alpha-linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, chloride, magnesium, copper, iodine, iron, manganese, selenium, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, thiamine, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, niacin, folic acid, biotin, choline and vitamin .

It is also particularly important to adhere to an appropriate calcium/phosphorus ratio in the micronutrient composition. A sample survey of the amounts of micronutrients can be gathered from the following table:

Micronutrient recommendations for cats - unit per 1 ,000 kcal metabolisable energy (ME)

* EPA = eicosapentaenoic acid; DHA = docosahexaenoic acid

It is particularly advantageous to adhere to a B A index of less than 1 , since this index does not change before and after autoclaving the foodstuff, which is a mandatory measure for preserving the foodstuff.

It is obvious that the optimum macronutrient and micronutrient content in the pet food of the invention can change depending, for example, on a variety of factors, such as the age, sex, sexual activity, health, seasonal variation, environment, stress level, etc.

The foodstuff of the invention may be a dry, semi-moist or moist product, wherein the moisture content can amount to 0 to 90 %, preferably 5 - 85 %, based on the total weight of the foodstuff. Moist foodstuffs include foodstuffs which are normally sold in containers, such as tins, pouches or the like, and typically have a moisture content of 70 - 90 %. Dry foodstuffs include foodstuffs with a similar composition, but usually with a moisture content of 5 - 15 %. Semi-moist foodstuffs include foodstuffs with a moisture content of 15 to 70 %. The foodstuff can include any product which an animal, preferably a pet, particularly preferably a cat, consumes in its diet. The foodstuff may therefore include standard foodstuff products such as pet food snacks (for example snack bars, cereal bars, snacks, biscuits and sweet products). The foodstuff can be a boiled product. Meat or meat-like material (such as beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, fish, blood plasma, bone marrow etc.) may be used in the preparation of the animal protein. Conceivable sources of vegetable protein are, for example, soya, maize gluten or a soya product. The foodstuff may contain further sources of protein, such as soya protein concentrate, milk, gluten, etc. The foodstuff may likewise contain starch, optionally also one or more types of fibre. Milk products may likewise be contained.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the foodstuff of the invention is characterised by the fact that it comprises two or more separate foodstuff compositions, at least two compositions of which differ in their content of at least two of fat, protein or carbohydrate, wherein the foodstuff enables a pet to vary its intake of each macronutrient independently and on an optimum level at any time, the diet comprising feeding the pet with unlimited amounts of the multi-component foodstuff.

Corresponding separate foodstuff compositions are known from EP 1 578 210 B l and EP 1 578 207 Bl , for example.

In addition, it is advantageous for the at least two compositions of at least two of a fat- enriched composition comprising 40 to 90 % fat, a protein-enriched composition comprising 48 to 75 % protein, and a carbohydrate-enriched composition comprising 50 to 90 % carbohydrate to be selected on an energy basis.

All the statements of ratios described in this connection (statements of percentages) are determined as the number of calories originating from the fat, protein or carbohydrate as a percentage share of the total calories of the foodstuff.

In addition, it is preferable for at least one component of the foodstuff to be a dried ready-to- eat cereal product.

Furthermore, it is preferable for the biogenic amine index to be < 0.5. It has surprisingly also been found that the relationship between the biogenic amine index and the tastiness is not linear, both for mammalian proteins and for marine animal proteins.

Finally, it is preferably also contemplated that the animal protein is selected from mammalian protein and/or marine animal protein. The pet's pleasure or enjoyment and/or the increase in acceptance/tastiness can be determined by the following observations, for example: an increase in the amount of foodstuff consumed; a decline in the frequency of refusal to eat over an extended period; an increase in enthusiasm during the meal, as indicated for example by the time it takes to begin the meal, and/or an increase in the speed with which the foodstuff is consumed; the pet chooses the foodstuff of the invention in preference to another foodstuff; the pet refuses other foodstuffs.

The pet's behaviour can also give the owner an indication of pleasure/enjoyment in the foodstuff of th invention, such as when: the pet prowls round the owner when the foodstuff is served; the pet is inactive / rests or sleeps after the meal; the pet licks or washes itself after the meal.

Further features and advantages of the foodstuff of the invention will become clear from the following detailed description.

A first foodstuff with a complete macronutrient and micronutrient diet and a biogenic amine index of less than 0.5 was prepared.

A second foodstuff with a complete macronutrient diet, a biogenic amine index of < 0.5, but with a micronutrient diet containing no thiamine, was prepared. The two foodstuffs were each offered exclusively to a group of cats (10 pets) over a lengthy period, and the amount of food eaten by the cats was registered. Results are shown in Figure 1 , which illustrates the average amount of the respective foodstuff eaten over the time.

As can be seen from Figure 1 , the first foodstuff is eaten by the cats over a period of 27 days in a relatively constant amount. For the second foodstuff, however, the finding is that while a constant amount of the thiamine-free foodstuff is, on average, eaten in the first 2 weeks or so, that amount being quite similar to the amount of the first foodstuff eaten, after that time a pronounced lack of appetite is observed in the group of cats offered the second foodstuff, and after 27 days less than half the amount of the first foodstuff is consumed compared to the first group of test cats. No other physiological changes were observed.

The features of the invention disclosed in the description and in the claims can be essential to implementing the invention in its various embodiments both individually and in any combination.

Claims

1. A foodstuff for pets comprising macronutrients selected from fat, animal protein and optionally carbohydrate and mixtures thereof, and micronutrients selected from essential fatty acids, amino acids, minerals, trace elements, secondary vegetable materials, vitamins and vitamin-like substances and mixtures thereof, wherein the animal protein possesses a biogenic amine index (BAI) of less than 1 and the foodstuff preferably provides a complete macronutrient and micronutrient diet for the pet.

2. The foodstuff as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that based on the total energy ratio of the foodstuff, the macronutrients protein, fat and carbohydrate are present in a proportion of:

protein: total energy ratio (PER) = 40 - 60 %, preferably 50 %, fat: total energy ratio (FER) = 15 - 50 %, preferably 40 %, carbohydrate: total energy ratio (CER) = 0 - 25 %, preferably 10 %,

3. The foodstuff as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the micronutrients comprise arginine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, methionine-cystine, phenylalanine, phenylalanine-tyrosine, threonine, tryptophan, valine, taurine, linoleic acid, arachidonic acid, alpha-linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, chloride, magnesium, copper, iodine, iron, manganese, selenium, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, thiamine, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, vitamin B 12. niacin, folic acid, biotin, choline and vitamin K.

4. The foodstuff as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterised by a moisture content of 0 to 90 %, preferably 5 to 85 %, based on the total weight of the foodstuff.

5. The foodstuff as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises two or more separate foodstuff compositions, at least two compositions of which differ in their content of at least two of fat, protein or carbohydrate, wherein the foodstuff enables a pet to vary its intake of each macro- nutrient independently and on an optimum level at any time, the diet comprising feeding the pet with unlimited amounts of the multi-component foodstuff.

6. The foodstuff as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least two compositions of at least two of a fat-enriched composition comprising 40 to 90 % fat, a protein-enriched composition comprising 48 to 75 % protein, and a carbohydrate-enriched composition comprising 59 to 90 % carbohydrate are selected on an energy basis.

7. The foodstuff as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one component of the foodstuff is a dried ready-to-eat cereal product.

8. The foodstuff as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the biogenic amine index is < 0.5.

9. The foodstuff as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the animal protein is selected from mammalian protein and/or marine animal protein.