| abstract |
SEMI-MOITED FOOD COMPOSITIONS THAT MAINTAIN A SOFT TEXTURE. The present invention relates to a soft semi-moist composition, for example extruded semi-moist feed pellets, which is formulated to substantially maintain softness throughout storage in a blend with dry food compositions. Softness is maintained by delaying the formation of protein-starch complexes during storage. In one embodiment, the soft semi-moist food composition comprises at least 0.5% of a free amino acid, such as glutamate, and the soft semi-moist composition has a pH at which the free amino acid is charged. In some embodiments, hydrolyzed substrates of animal or plant origin are included to provide one or more free amino acids, which are charged at the pH of the semi-moist food composition, and to maintain the softness of the semi-moist food composition. |