PET Food Processing - March 2020 - 40

INGREDIENTS

Education directed
toward pet owners
helps to counter
misconceptions
concerning the use
of dietary fibers in
pet food formulas.
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This allows for traceability of the ingredient as well as
price stability.
"Many pet food brands use miscanthus grass fiber at 3%
to 10%; however, specific high-fiber diets will use more,"
says Eric Allphin, vice president, business development,
Renew Biomass, Aurora Missouri. "Unlike soluble fibers
that are fermented in the small intestine, miscanthus grass
fiber makes it all the way through the small intestine and
into the colon so the entire digestive tract benefits from all
the nutrients moving through the entire tract."
Citrus fiber is another ingredient being used in a variety of pet foods and treats. It is multifunctional because
of its unique composition of insoluble and soluble fibers,
as well as pectin.
"Our citrus fiber is a byproduct or upcycled material procured from citrus juicing companies," explains
Brock Lundberg, president of research and development, Fiberstar Inc., River Falls, Wisconsin. "The fiber's
functionality is created by the patented mechanical process." The high pectin content helps bind moisture and
oil in pet foods and treats to enhance processability,
moistness and final texture. In certain applications, it
may replace chemical emulsifiers and moisture-binding
agents, he adds.
Beet pulp and cellulose are common sources of dietary fiber used in commercial dog and cat foods, too.
Beet pulp is composed of soluble and insoluble fibers,
which results in a moderate rate of microbial fermentation in the large intestine.
"In contrast, cellulose is predominantly insoluble fiber
and passes through the digestive tract essentially undigested prior to fecal excretion," Davenport says. "This
insoluble fraction provides the necessary bulk to maintain intestinal passage and desirable stool consistency.
"Cellulose is commonly used in feline hairball control
foods to minimize hairball occurrence," he continues.
"The undigested cellulose associates with ingested hair
derived from grooming to move the hair through the

PET FOOD PROCESSING | March 2020 | www.petfoodprocessing.net

intestinal tract for excretion in the feces." Soybean hulls
are a widely available, economical co-product of the soybean oil extraction process. Despite their low cost, soybean hulls are rarely used in today's pet foods because
they are assumed to be inert filler with no nutritional
value, according to Davenport. However, research conducted at the University of Illinois demonstrated soybean hulls provide similar nutritional health benefits to
dogs and cats as beet pulp.

Final considerations
With so many fiber ingredient options, processing modifications may be necessary. Some fibers may impact
product formulations, others may be added seamlessly
at defined usage rates.
"In extruded pet treats, for example, fiber is often an
essential ingredient as it aids both the extrusion process
as well as the product texture and can be incorporated in
a large amount," Luchsinger says. "For dry kibbles, care
must be taken as the amount and type of fiber will affect
the expansion, texture, aroma and palatability.
"Fiber use in wet food may be more challenging," he
says. "Only a small amount may be able to be incorporated because of process difficulty."
Keep in mind that regardless of the fiber type, most
fiber ingredients are low- or no-calorie nutrients. Their
inclusion reduces the overall energy value of the food.
"For pets who need a dense form of energy, such as
from a performance or puppy formula, too much fiber
may dilute the energy content so much that they can't
consume enough to meet their energy needs," says John
Dickerson, animal nutritionist, Cargill Animal Nutrition
& Health, Minneapolis.
"Everything we include in a formula contributes to
a healthy, well-balanced diet," Dickerson concludes.
"While not all types of fiber are created equal, the right
fibers [in the right balance] can provide desirable benefits." Ultimately, this is the goal of all pet diets.
PFP

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