Bone Content Analysis for Dry and Wet Pet Food Manufacturers
Download File
Abstract
Ash content in pet foods is a critical parameter that must be
controlled in order to maintain proper formulation and avoid
digestive issues in pets. Ash content correlates closely with
bone content which has traditionally been measured using
chemical titration, but rapid alternatives such as ash analysis
offer comparable results in significantly less time. The Phoenix
BLACK™ microwave muffle furnace analyzes ash content in
both raw ingredients and finished products in approximately 30
minutes, without the use of chemical reagents.
Introduction
The global pet food market, valued at nearly 100 billion
USD, is expected to continue to grow as pet ownership gains
in popularity. Increasing consumer awareness regarding
natural and organic pet food products has forced pet food
manufacturers to shift their focus from synthetic to natural
products, which have acted as one of the major forces impacting
the global market. Convenience benefits related to dry organic
and natural pet food is projected to drive the product demand,
though wet foods still comprise a significant size of the market,
due to advantages of palatability and certain health benefits,
making it easier to digest for pets with health issues.
Nearly all pet foods contain meat as an ingredient. As a result, ash content in pet foods is comprised primarily of bone. One thing all pet food formulations require, whether wet or dry, is the proper amount of ash content. As a general rule of thumb, ash or bone content must be controlled at 2% or less of the final product. If bone content reaches a level greater than 2%, digestion issues can occur. Conversely, bone is a very low cost component, so controlling the manufacturing process to include the proper levels of bone content allows for formulation cost optimization.
The Phoenix BLACK is a rapid ashing system that removes all organic material in a pet food sample, leaving nothing but mineral content (i.e. bone and any added mineral supplements) behind. In this application note, we show the repeatability of ash content measurements via Phoenix BLACK.
Nearly all pet foods contain meat as an ingredient. As a result, ash content in pet foods is comprised primarily of bone. One thing all pet food formulations require, whether wet or dry, is the proper amount of ash content. As a general rule of thumb, ash or bone content must be controlled at 2% or less of the final product. If bone content reaches a level greater than 2%, digestion issues can occur. Conversely, bone is a very low cost component, so controlling the manufacturing process to include the proper levels of bone content allows for formulation cost optimization.
The Phoenix BLACK is a rapid ashing system that removes all organic material in a pet food sample, leaving nothing but mineral content (i.e. bone and any added mineral supplements) behind. In this application note, we show the repeatability of ash content measurements via Phoenix BLACK.