Nucleotides inclusion in pet food: effect of thermic treatment and shelf-life

Abstract

A growing trend of nucleotides supplementation in pets is occurring in recent years with the final goal of reinforcing the immune system and promoting intestinal function. Despite that, data evaluating possible alterations of nucleotides during pet food processing are lacking. The aim of the study was to evaluate the recovery percentage of nucleotides in dry and canned food after processing and storage. Selected dry and canned feed were supplemented with 0.4/100 g dry matter basis of Prosol petMOD. Recovery percentage in dry food was 75% and 74% at the end of technological process and a 12-month shelf-life, while in canned food it was 43% and 41%, respectively. These results support the hypothesis that N could be included during pet food process but industries have to increase the awareness about possible losses, especially in canned food.