PS6-23. Impact of Spray Dried Red Blood Cells in Pet Food on Product Color and Quality.

Abstract Industry shifts towards natural colorants have led to evaluation of alternative natural ingredients to impact color of the product while maintaining quality. Spray dried red blood cells (RBC) are a natural protein ingredient that is highly digestible and can impart a meaty color in both wet and dry pet food. Study objectives were to evaluate various levels of RBC on wet pet food color and kibble color. Two studies using a wet pet food paté recipe were conducted with various RBC inclusion levels. The first study evaluated 0%, 0.5%, 1%, and 2% RBC and the second 0%, 0.25%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, and 3% RBC with or without liver in the formula. Wet petfood batches were replicated 3 times with different raw materials. Thus, 3 batches per study and level were produced. The RBC was included to replace poultry carcass. Paté emulsions were produced and viscosity was measured before canning and cooking at 121 °C for 1 hour. Cans were stored at room temperature for 10 days before product measurements. Cans (4/condition/batch) were evaluated for color, solids, protein, and texture. For dry pet food, three formulas were developed with 0%, 2.5%, and 5% RBC replacing chicken meal. Kibbles were extruded using a single screw extruder. Processing conditions were monitored on the various formulations to optimize extrusion and product quality along with kibble outcome measurements such as solids, protein, color, and durability. Solids, protein, and texture linearly (P < 0.05) increased with increasing RBC levels in all wet pet food studies while emulsion viscosity was not different. As RBC levels increased, color was linearly (P < 0.05) darker with Delta E ranging from 58.8 to 34.4 for study 1 of 0% to 2%, 53.2 to 30.6 for liver formulas and 57.8 to 30.2 with no liver formulas in study 2 of 0% to 3%. Kibble characteristics were similar for protein, solids, and durability. As RBC levels increased in dry kibble, color was darker with Delta E of 37.53, 32.47, and 26 respectively for control, 2.5%, and 5% RBC kibbles. In conclusion, RBC can be utilized as an ingredient in wet pet food and dog kibble to impact color without affecting product quality. Thus, depending on the pet food manufactures goal, RBC would be an alternative natural protein ingredient to impact the desired color for product development.