Drivers of Palatability for Cats and Dogs-What It Means for Pet Food Development.

The pet food industry is an important sector of the pet care market that is growing rapidly. Whilst the number of new and innovative products continues to rise, research and development to assess product performance follows traditional palatability methodology. Pet food palatability research focuses on the amount of food consumed through use of one-bowl and two-bowl testing, but little understanding is given to why differences are observed, particularly at a fundamental ingredient level. This review will highlight the key differences in feeding behaviour and nutritional requirements between dogs and cats. The dominant pet food formats currently available and the ingredients commonly included in pet foods are also described. The current methods used for assessing pet food palatability and their limitations are outlined. The opportunities to utilise modern analytical methods to identify complete foods that are more palatable and understand the nutritional factors responsible for driving intake are discussed.

Effects of Maillard-reacted beef bone hydrolysate on the physicochemical properties of extruded meat alternatives.

Meat analogues are made from plant proteins using high-moisture extrusion processing, to have the same textural and structural properties as meat. However, meat analogues exhibit very weak aroma and are almost tasteless, which has resulted in limited market success. Maillard-reacted beef bone hydrolysate (MRP) provides important sensory aspects of heat-treated food products, by contributing to their appearance, texture, flavor, and aroma. Therefore, MRP added at different concentrations with the plant proteins before extrusion may produce meat alternatives with high aroma and taste quality while maintaining fibrous structure. This study investigated the effects of MRP at different concentrations (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% wet weight) with plant proteins on the physicochemical properties of extruded meat alternatives. The textural, microstructural, chemical, and sensory properties of meat alternatives were studied, where meat alternatives consisting of 40% MRP showed the lowest degree of texturization and observed with multiple segmented layers accompanied with some fibrous microstructure. Results from protein solubility analysis suggested that a large proportion of aggregated proteins was associated with hydrogen bonds. Although the key force in the formation of fibrous structure in meat alternatives was disulphide bonds. Meat alternatives containing 20% MRP obtained highest sensory scores for appearance, meaty aroma, meaty taste, and overall acceptability. Overall results showed that the addition of MRP to produce meat alternatives changed the textural, structural, and sensory properties significantly. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Maillard-reacted beef bone hydrolysate added into meat analogues to form meat alternatives with high aroma and taste quality while maintaining fibrous structure. The work demonstrated an opportunity for greater returns to the meat industry and the potential of hybrid products with less meat content.

Changes in the physicochemical properties and flavour compounds of beef bone hydrolysates after Maillard reaction.

This study investigated the changes in physicochemical properties and volatile compounds of beef bone hydrolysates during heat treatment as a result of the Maillard reaction (MR). Five beef bone hydrolysates obtained from single (P-Protamex®, B-bromelain, and F-Flavourzyme®) and simultaneous (P + F and B + F) enzymatic hydrolysis treatments were combined with ribose in aqueous solutions and heated at 113 °C to produce Maillard reaction products (MRPs). Total free amino acids decreased after heat treatment indicating the occurrence of the MR. MRPs showed a decrease in pH and an increase in browning intensity as the degree of hydrolysis of hydrolysates increased. The volatiles compounds generated during heat treatment were evaluated using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) with headspace solid phase microextraction (SPME) sampling. A total of 40 volatile compounds were identified in all MRPs and their concentration were found to increase with increasing degree of hydrolysis. Pyrazines were the most abundant class of compounds produced as a result of the MR. F-MRP showed the highest peak area intensity for 17 volatile compounds in single hydrolysis treatment followed by heat treatment. There was also no significant difference in those major volatile compounds between F-MRP and P + F-MRP or B + F-MRP from simultaneous hydrolysis treatment after heating. Hence, the use of Flavourzyme® alone to increase the flavour intensity of beef bone extract is recommended. Overall results indicated that enzymatic hydrolysis and MR could be used to modify the flavour characters of beef bone extract.

Rabies, readiness, and role 1 medical care.

As medics and doctors prepare for deployment to a combat zone, there are countless specified and implied tasks needed to prepare the medical support of an Infantry unit in theater. Appropriately, units spend the lion share of their efforts in trauma training and medical readiness (vaccinations, medication prescriptions, eye glasses, etc.) while ensuring that the sets, kits, and outfits are all fully stocked with the required items needed to execute the mission. Unfortunately, this training and preparation included little on the major challenges units currently face from rabies. With the unfortunate recent death of a soldier from rabies, medical personnel were required to become experts in animal control, the prevention of animal bites and scratches, and the most appropriate treatment of service members with potential exposure to rabid animals. This article will discuss the challenges of rabies management in Afghanistan, appropriate provider and unit preparation to minimize risk of developing rabies, the need for establishment of an animal control team and prerequisite training of soldiers, leaders, and medics before and during deployment. Finally, we will review published guidelines for treating individuals exposed to rabies with a discussion of our units experience with postexposure prophylaxis.