Effect of Polysaccharides on the Physical, Rheological and Thermal Properties of a Balanced Canine Food

The structuring of food is mainly done through a complex set of various food materials, such as proteins, polysaccharides, lipids, minerals, and water. Among these components, proteins and polysaccharides are the most used materials in food processing. In extrusion processing, the molecular interactions between its main components play a synergistic role in the achieved structure by performing specific functions in food that affect the sensory, physicochemical, and functional properties. In this research, food for pet animals based on beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), fodder corn (Zea mays L.), polished rice (Oryza Sativa), and polysaccharides as inulin, sodium alginate, and/or a native microbial exopolysaccharide from mining waste, was designed and evaluated. To produce the pellet, a single-screw extruder at 140 rpm and 140°C at the exit zone and the effects of the moisture content [13-18%] and concentration of each polysaccharide [0.3-0.9%] on the physicochemical properties of the food were evaluated. The obtained responses were: 1.16-1.4 for expansion index, 0.8-1.7 g/cm3 for bulk density, 1.5-7.4 g/g for water absorption index, 8.8-12.6% for water solubility index, and 8.8-35 N for hardness. According to the recorded values, native exopolysaccharides can provide better physicochemical characteristics than commercial polysaccharides.