The Right Antioxidant for Every Application
Antioxidants are an important ingredient in pet foods in order to protect the nutritional value and sensory properties of the food and its ingredients. Fats and oils in foods can oxidize or turn rancid in the presence of oxygen and free radicals. Antioxidants function to inhibit or slow down oxidation by reaction with free radicals. Uninhibited oxidation can cause many negative effects in foods. The most commonly referred to effect is the formation of rancidity, which includes formation of off-odors and flavors. This is the most outwardly visible sign of oxidation and can lead to lack of consumer and pet acceptance of the product. Additionally, oxidation can lead to loss of nutritional value by the oxidation of fats and of fat soluble vitamins. Finally, in severe cases, as a result of oxidation there can be health implications from formation of toxic metabolites and destruction of vitamins.
At Kemin, we promote quality assurance programs that consider the entire scope of stabilization—from raw material quality to stability in the final pet food product. Kemin offers a full range of synthetic antioxidants to ensure you have the right antioxidant for every application in order to gain maximum freshness protection and increased shelf life.
The oxidation process cannot be stopped entirely, though it can be controlled. To be sure, a complete stability assurance program can help pet food manufacturers, ingredient suppliers and renderers control oxidation through all phases of the pet food production process. A key component to an effective stability assurance program is implementing the right antioxidant formulation for each pet food diet.
Not All Synthetic Antioxidants Are Created Equal
There are a variety of antioxidants commonly used in pet food production and rendering – including BHA, BHT, TBHQ and Propyl Gallate – to control the free radical chain reaction associated with the oxidation process.
These synthetic antioxidants provide oxidative stability to ingredients used throughout the rendering and pet food manufacturing process. They are effective in controlling the autoxidative process, though Kemin scientists understand these antioxidants react differently depending on the process and the substrate that is being stabilized. This is why Kemin offers a diverse range of synthetic formulations to provide maximum protection from oxidation.
