The understanding of the microbiota is redefining the nutrition of dogs and cats, positioning the probiotics as key components within the nutrition functional. In this article, we address the development of the additive Synergy by Adinnova and the importance of applied microbiology as a differential in the industry of pet food.
After years focused exclusively on basic requirements, advances in microbiology and nutrition functional positioned themselves to the intestinal health as a key pillar of animal welfare. The microbiota has gone from being a concept exclusively scientist to become a strategic factor for the development of food-differentiated and high value-added.
Today, manufacturers of pet food, veterinarians, and consumers recognize that the balance of the intestinal microbiota influences the digestion, nutrient utilization, immune response and the quality of life of dogs and cats. This drives a transformation in the mode of formulating food, and to develop functional ingredients.
¿Por qué la microbiota se convirtió en un eje clave en pet food?
The intestinal microbiota is composed of billions of microorganisms that are constantly interacting with the guest. Far from playing a passive role, are actively involved in fundamental functions, both of digestive as metabolic and immunological.
Currently, it is recognized that a microbiota balanced contributes to the integrity of the intestinal barrier, promotes the efficient use of nutrients and helps maintain physiological mechanisms associated with the overall health; that is to say that the changes in its composition can impact negatively on the welfare and performance digestive pets.
¿Qué rol cumplen los probióticos dentro de este nuevo enfoque nutricional?
Probiotics are one of the tools most relevant to accompany the balance of the microbiota. Their role goes far beyond that of incorporating live microorganisms to food: seek to generate favorable conditions for the intestinal ecosystem and contribute to overall well-being of the animal.
The current trend points to understand not only what microorganisms are incorporated, but also what metabolites they produce and how they interact with the resident microbiota. This change of focus is positioning itself for the probiotics as key components within the nutrition functional modern.
For manufacturers, it represents a real opportunity to develop foods with differential qualities that are backed by science, aligned with a growing demand for products aimed at wellness digestive and overall health.
¿Cuáles características debe tener un probiótico para aportar beneficios reales en las mascotas?
Not all probiotics provide the same level of functionality. The effectiveness depends on many factors, including the selection of strains, the stability during the industrial processing and its ability to reach viable in the gastrointestinal tract.
In pet food, the greatest technological challenge is to ensure the viability of microbial against the severe conditions of extrusion and drying. For this reason, the technology of micro-organisms sporulated has marked a turning point. Endospores act as a protective shield natural in front of high temperatures, mechanical stress (pressure and shear) and storage time prolonged (shelf-life). This ensures the manufacturer that the count of Colony Forming Units (CFU) declared on the package arrives intact at the plate of the pet.
