Process for dusting animal food
A dusted pet food kibble and a process for dusting a pet food kibble comprising providing a pet food kibble in the form of a core matrix, providing a powder comprising a first component that can comprise an active ingredient, such as Probiotic microorganism particles, and dusting the powder onto the pet food kibble to form a dusted kibble. The dusting can occur substantially free of a binder. An animal feed comprising a kibble in the form of a core dusted with active ingredients.
1. A process for dusting a pet food kibble, comprising:
dusting a powder comprising bacterial Probiotic microorganisms having a particle size less than about 75 micrometers onto a kibble comprising less than 12% moisture to form a dusted pet food kibble having a water activity of about 0.1 or less,
wherein the powder and the dusting process are substantially free of a carrier.
2. The process of claim 1 , wherein the dusting results in a Probiotic activity of greater than about 10 5 CFU/g of the dusted pet food kibble.
3. The process of claim 1 , wherein the dusting results in the dusted pet food kibble having an endurance factor between about 0.1 and about 0.001.
4. The process of claim 1 , wherein a less than 0.5 log loss of a Probiotic activity occurs after dusting is complete.
5. The process of claim 1 , wherein the bacterial Probiotic microorganisms have a particle size of between about 10 micrometers and about 75 micrometers.
6. The process of claim 1 , wherein the kibble temperature is between about 0° C. and about 80° C. during dusting.
7. The process of claim 1 , wherein the dusting comprises exposing substantially all of the surface area of the kibble to the powder.
8. The process of claim 7 , wherein the dusting is performed with a mechanical mixer.
9. The process of claim 1 , further comprising grinding the powder that comprises the bacterial Probiotic microorganisms using a pin mill, wherein the temperature of the powder that comprises the bacterial Probiotic microorganisms is between about 30° C. and about 35° C. during grinding.
10. A process for dusting a pet food kibble, comprising:
providing a core matrix that is nutritionally balanced and comprises a carbohydrate source comprising a gelatinized starch matrix, a protein source, and a fat source;
providing a powder comprising bacterial Probiotic microorganisms having a particle size less than about 75 micrometers; and
dusting the powder onto the core matrix to form a dusted pet food kibble having a water activity of about 0.1 or less;
wherein the powder and the dusting process are substantially free of a carrier.
11. The process of claim 10 , wherein the bacterial Probiotic microorganisms have a particle size of between about 10 micrometers and about 75 micrometers.
12. The process of claim 10 , wherein the log loss of a Probiotic activity after the dusting step is less than 1.0.
13. The process of claim 10 , further comprising mixing the dusted pet food kibble with kibbles that are not dusted with the powder that comprises the bacterial Probiotic microorganisms.
14. A process for dusting a pet food kibble, comprising:
extruding a protein source, a carbohydrate source, and a fat source into a pet food kibble in the form of a core matrix comprising a gelatinized starch;
drying the core matrix in a dryer; and
dusting a powder comprising bacterial Probiotic microorganisms having a particle size less than about 75 micrometers onto the core matrix having a water activity of about 0.1 or less to form a dusted pet food kibble;
wherein the powder and the dusting process are substantially free of a carrier.
15. The process of claim 1 , wherein the dusting occurs substantially free of a stability aid and a preservative aid.
16. The process of claim 10 , wherein the dusting occurs substantially free of a stability aid and a preservative aid.
17. The process of claim 14 , wherein the dusting occurs substantially free of a stability aid and a preservative aid.