Pet food product containing probiotics

• US 5,968,569 A
• Filed: 12/23/1997
• Issued: 10/19/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nestec SA (Nestle SA)
• Original Assignee: Nestec SA (Nestle SA)
• Inventors: Gaier, Walter, Cavadini, Christof, Ballevre, Olivier
• Primary Examiner(s): Sayala, Chhaya D.
• Application Number:
  US08/996,889
• Time in Patent Office: 665 Days
• Field of Search: 426/61, 426/618, 426/620, 426/623, 426/625, 426/805
• US Class Current: 426/61
• CPC Class Codes: A23K 10/18 of live microorganisms
• CPC Class Codes: A23K 40/30 by encapsulating; by coating
• CPC Class Codes: A23K 50/42 Dry feed
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 29/065 Microorganisms addition of bacteria for nutritional purposes A23L33/135
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 7/122 Coated, filled, multilayered or hollow ready-to-eat cereals
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 7/191 After-treatment of puffed cereals, e.g. coating or salting
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 35/742 Spore-forming bacteria, e.g. Bacillus coagulans, Bacillus subtilis, clostridium or Lactobacillus sporogenes
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 35/744 Lactic acid bacteria, e.g. enterococci, pediococci, lactococci, streptococci or leuconostocs
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 35/745 Bifidobacteria
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 36/06 Fungi, e.g. yeasts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 426/805 Pet food for dog, cat, bird, or fish

Abstract

A dried, ready-to-eat pet food product comprising a gelatinized starch matrix which includes a coating or filling which contains a probiotic micro-organism. The cereal product is in the form of a pet food. The product may be produced by cooking a starch source to form a gelatinized starch matrix; forming the gelatinized matrix into pieces; drying the pieces; and coating or filling the pieces with a carrier which contains probiotic micro-organisms.

Claims

1. A dried, ready-to-eat pet food kibble comprising:

a gelatinized starch matrix;

a lipid coating around the gelatinized starch matrix, the lipid coating including a probiotic micro-organism; and

a flavor coating including a protein digest.

2. A pet kibble according to claim 1 in which the gelatinized matrix is an extrusion cooked starch source.

3. A pet kibble according to claim 1 in which the coating comprises a carrier substrate which contains the probiotic micro-organism.

4. A pet kibble according to claim 3 in which the carrier substrate is at least one carrier chosen from the group consisting of a fat, a protein digest, milk solids, a sugar and a particulate flavoring agent.

5. A pet kibble according to claim 1 in which the probiotic micro-organism is selected from the group consisting of Bacillus coagulans, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus subtilis, Bifidobacterium animalis/longum, L. johnsonii La1, Pediococcus acidilactici, Saccharomyces cereviseae, and Enterococcus faecium SF68.

6. A pet kibble according to claim 1 further containing a source of soluble fiber.

7. A dried, ready-to-eat pet food in the form of kibbles, each kibble comprising:

a gelatinized starch matrix which includes a protein source,

a coating or a filling containing a probiotic micro-organism.

8. A pet food product according to claim 7 in which the coating or filling comprises a carrier substrate which contains the probiotic micro-organism.

9. A pet food product according to claim 8 in which the carrier substrate is a fat, or a protein digest, or a mixture thereof.

10. A pet food product according to claim 7 in which the probiotic micro-organism is selected from Bacillus coagulans, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus subtilis, Bifidobacterium sp., Pediococcus acidilactici, Saccharomyces cereviseae, and Enterococcus faecium SF68.

11. A pet food product according to claim 7 further containing a source of soluble fiber.

12. A dried, ready-to-eat pet food in the form of coated kibbles, each kibble comprising:

a gelatinized starch matrix which includes a protein source,

a coating of a carrier substrate which contains a probiotic micro-organism;

the carrier substance being a fat, or a protein digest, or a mixture thereof.

13. A pet food product according to claim 12 in which the probiotic micro-organism is selected from Bacillus coagulans, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus subtilis, Bifidobacterium sp., Pediococcus acidilactici, Saccharomyces cereviseae, and Enterococcus faecium SF68.

14. A pet food product according to claim 12 further containing a source of soluble fiber.

15. A process of preparing a dried, ready-to-eat pet food, the process comprising cooking a starch source and a protein source to form a gelatinized starch matrix containing protein;

forming the gelatinized matrix into kibbles;

drying the kibbles; and

coating the kibbles with a coating which contains probiotic micro-organisms.

16. A process according to claim 15 in which the starch source and protein source are extrusion cooked;

extruded through an orifice; and

then cut into kibbles.

17. A dried, ready-to-eat pet food kibble comprising:

a gelatinized starch matrix which includes a component chosen from the group consisting of inulin and fructo-oligosaccharides;

a coating containing a probiotic micro-organism.