A quantitative modeling perspective on extrusion processing of aquafeed & pet food

Abstract

This paper reviews the key factors influencing the extrusion process in aquafeed and pet food production. The quality of the final product and the operational efficiency of the extruder are largely dependent on factors such as feed formulation, extruder configuration, processing conditions, and equipment settings. This review has a specific focus on how mechanical, hydration and thermal parameters correlate to the output variables. Operational parameters such as temperature, moisture content, and screw speed play significant roles in determining the texture, digestibility, and nutritional value of the extruded feed. This review identifies and discusses the physical mechanisms underlying these factors and highlights areas in the current literature that require further research, particularly in optimizing extrusion conditions to improve both product quality and processing efficiency for aquafeed and pet food production through modeling techniques.