Processes for the production of a meat analogue, comprising: a) introducing a meat batter which comprises protein into a first heating unit and heating the meat batter to a temperature above the denaturation temperature of the protein in the meat batter, but below the melting point of the protein to produce a first heat-treated product, and b) transferring the first heat-treated product to a second heating unit and heating the first heat-treated product to a temperature above the melting temperature of the protein to produce a second heat-treated product, c) cooling the second heat-treated product by moving through a cooling unit, so that the second heat-treated product has a temperature below water boiling temperature at ambient pressure when exiting the cooling unit, and d) dividing the cooled second heat-treated product into pieces; as well as an apparatus for the production of a meat analogue.

The present invention relates to dissolvable containers for animal feed micro-ingredients, and methods for using such dissolvable containers to prepare an animal feed mixture. Ingredients required in very small amounts with respect to the rest of the components in an animal feed, i.e., micro-ingredients, can be pre-measured and sealed within the dissolvable containers, which can be made from a water-soluble polymer film, then added to the other feed components when the complete animal feed is being prepared.

The present invention relates to dissolvable containers for animal feed micro-ingredients, and methods for using such dissolvable containers to prepare an animal feed mixture. Ingredients required in very small amounts with respect to the rest of the components in an animal feed, i.e., micro-ingredients, can be pre-measured and sealed within the dissolvable containers, which can be made from a water-soluble polymer film, then added to the other feed components when the complete animal feed is being prepared.

The present invention relates to a method for producing a pet chew product by a single injection molding cycle, comprising the steps of providing a thermoplastic starch mixture; converting said mixture into a thermoplastic starch-based melt; injecting the resulting thermoplastic melt comprising said optional blowing agent in a mould cavity while partially opening the mould during melt injection; allowing the thermoplastic melt in contact with the mould cavity wall to at least partially cool and set thereby forming the outer skin of a first density or hardness; partially opening the mould during melt cooling to allow gas expansion in the non-cooled core of the injected thermoplastic melt and formation of a foamed core of a second density or hardness; allowing the melt to cool and set, and ejecting the pet chew product from the mould cavity.

The invention relates to a method for producing a composition containing at least one metal amino acid compound, in which method —a basic compound of a divalent metal is first reacted together with an alpha amino acid in a molar relationship of one to at least two in water during heating of up to 60° C. to 100° C., —a reaction equilibrium is awaited, —the reaction solution is then mixed with a water-soluble salt of the same divalent metal at a quantity such that the molar total quantity of the divalent metal from the basic compound of the metal and the metal salt does not exceed the molar quantity of the alpha amino acid, —the metal salt is allowed to completely dissolve, —the reaction solution is then dried thereby obtaining a solid composition.

The invention relates to a method for producing a composition containing at least one metal amino acid compound, in which method —a basic compound of a divalent metal is first reacted together with an alpha amino acid in a molar relationship of one to at least two in water during heating of up to 60° C. to 100° C., —a reaction equilibrium is awaited, —the reaction solution is then mixed with a water-soluble salt of the same divalent metal at a quantity such that the molar total quantity of the divalent metal from the basic compound of the metal and the metal salt does not exceed the molar quantity of the alpha amino acid, —the metal salt is allowed to completely dissolve, —the reaction solution is then dried thereby obtaining a solid composition.

The present disclosure provides a body of a plurality of interconnected pet treats, and a dispenser for dispensing the treats to a pet. The body can comprise a mass of edible extruded, poured, or molded material, that is shaped so that individual treats can be broken or cut off. The treats can be interconnected by a portion of the edible extruded, poured, or molded material that is thinner in a certain area to facilitate the separation of the treats. The dispenser uses a housing, treat sleeve, and trigger sleeve so that a user can load the treats into the treat sleeve, and selectively eject individual treats semi-automatically.

The present invention provides an artificial diet for Orius strigicollis (O. strigicollis), a preparation method and use thereof belonging to the technical field of insect rearing wherein the artificial diet includes the following raw materials: compound amino acids, water, potassium sorbate, vitamin complex, folic acid, biotin, glucose, sodium chloride, yeast powder, sodium alginate, calcium lactate, and greenish yellow food coloring. The artificial diet of the present invention is beneficial for O. strigicollis to forage, promotes growth and development thereof, improves fecundity thereof, and increases the survival rate of O. strigicollis nymphs.

The present invention provides an artificial diet for Orius strigicollis (O. strigicollis), a preparation method and use thereof belonging to the technical field of insect rearing wherein the artificial diet includes the following raw materials: compound amino acids, water, potassium sorbate, vitamin complex, folic acid, biotin, glucose, sodium chloride, yeast powder, sodium alginate, calcium lactate, and greenish yellow food coloring. The artificial diet of the present invention is beneficial for O. strigicollis to forage, promotes growth and development thereof, improves fecundity thereof, and increases the survival rate of O. strigicollis nymphs.

There is provided a method for treating silage which includes adding to the silage a silage inoculant including a silage preserving effective amount of Lactobacillus hilgardii. The silage inoculant being effective to prevent or reduce aerobic spoilage.