Wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition

Abstract

The present invention relates to a wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition comprising at least: —one or more free amino acids A1, —one or more sugars A2, and —one or more inorganic phosphate compounds B with an amount P of phosphorus, wherein the amount P of phosphorus is from 1% to 5% based on the total weight of said wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition, and wherein the ratio R1 of A1/(A1+A2+P) is superior to 0.30. The present invention also relates to a method for producing this wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition as well as a wet pet food having enhanced palatability comprising this wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition.

Claims

1. A wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition comprising at least: one or more free amino acids A1, one or more sugars A2, and one or more inorganic phosphate compounds B with an amount P of phosphorus, wherein the amount P of phosphorus is from 1% to 5% based on the total weight of said wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition, and wherein the ratio R1 of A1/(A1+A2+P) is superior to 0.30 and inferior to 0.45 and wherein said wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition enhances the palatability of wet pet food to cats.

2. The wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition according to claim 1, wherein said ratio R1 of A1/(A1+A2+P) is inferior to 0.40.

3. The wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition according to claim 1, wherein said one or more free amino acids A1 are selected from the group consisting of glycine, cysteine, aspartic acid, lysine, tryptophan, glutamic acid, phenylalanine, isoleucine, valine, leucine, methionine, threonine, and combinations thereof.

4. The wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition according to claim 1, wherein said one or more free amino acids A1 are in an amount from 2 to 30%, based on the total weight of said wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition.

5. The wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition according to claim 1, wherein said one or more sugars A2 are selected from the group consisting of lactose, maltose, dextrose, fructose, glucose syrup, xylose, lactose, saccharose, ribose, and combinations thereof.

6. The wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition according to claim 1, wherein said one or more sugars A2 are in an amount from 2 to 50%, based on the total weight of said wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition.

7. The wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition according to claim 1, wherein said one or more inorganic phosphate compounds B are selected from the group consisting of phosphoric acid, monophosphates, pyrophosphates, polyphosphates, and combinations thereof.

8. The wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition according to claim 1, wherein said one or more inorganic phosphate compounds B are in an amount from 5 to 30%, based on the total weight of said wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition.

9. The wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition according to claim 1, further comprising at least one protein hydrolyzate.

10. A method for producing a wet pet food having enhanced palatability comprising: a) adding to a wet pet food, a wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition according to claim 1; and b) obtaining a wet pet food having enhanced palatability.

11. The wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition according to claim 1, wherein said one or more free amino acids A1 are in an amount from 2 to 25% based on the total weight of said wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition.

12. The wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition according to claim 1, wherein said one or more free amino acids A1 are in an amount from 2 to 20% based on the total weight of said wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition.

13. The wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition according to claim 1, wherein said one or more sugars A2 are in an amount from 2 to 40% based on the total weight of said wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition.

14. The wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition according to claim 1, wherein said one or more sugars A2 are in an amount from 2 to 35% based on the total weight of said wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition.

15. The wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition according to claim 1, wherein said one or more inorganic phosphate compounds B are in an amount from 5 to 25% based on the total weight of said wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition.

16. The wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition according to claim 1, wherein said one or more inorganic phosphate compounds B are in an amount from 5 to 20% based on the total weight of said wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

(1) The present inventors showed for the first time that wet pet food enhancing compositions having low amounts of phosphorus can provide to wet pet foods an enhanced palatability when using free amino acids, sugars and phosphorus in a specific ratio.

(2) Wet Pet Food Palatability-Enhancing Composition

(3) The present invention thus concerns a wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition comprising at least: one or more free amino acids A1, one or more sugars A2, and one or more inorganic phosphate compounds B with an amount P of phosphorus,

(4) wherein the amount of phosphorus is from 1% to 5% based on the total weight of said wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition and wherein the ratio R1 of A1/(A1+A2+P) is superior to 0.30 and inferior to 0.45.

(5) The present inventors have found that it is essential to comply with this ratio R1 in order to obtain a low phosphorus composition providing a significantly enhanced palatability. In particular, wet pet foods comprising low phosphorus compositions having these specific ingredients while providing this specific ratio R1, are more palatable than wet pet foods comprising low phosphorus compositions that do not share these essential features and can also be more palatable than wet pet foods comprising high phosphorus compositions.

(6) However, a minimum amount of 1% phosphorus is essential in order to enhance palatability. Indeed, even when complying with the above-described ratio R1, palatability is not enhanced if the amount of phosphorus is below 1% based on the total weight of said wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition.

(7) In a particular embodiment, “palatability-enhancing composition” refers to a composition of the invention increasing the wet pet food intake (of a wet pet food), in particular compared to another composition out of the invention.

(8) Preferably, the wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition is a wet cat food palatability-enhancing composition.

(9) In a preferred embodiment, the ratio R1 of A1/(A1+A2+P) is inferior to 0.40.

(10) In a preferred embodiment, said one or more free amino acids A1 are selected from the group consisting of glycine, cysteine, aspartic acid, lysine, tryptophan, glutamic acid, phenylalanine, isoleucine, valine, leucine, methionine, threonine, and combinations thereof. More preferably, said one or more free amino acids A1 are selected from the group consisting of glycine, cysteine, aspartic acid, lysine, tryptophan, phenylalanine, isoleucine, valine, leucine, methionine, threonine, and combinations thereof. Still more preferably, said one or more free amino acids A1 are selected from the group consisting of glycine, cysteine, lysine, glutamic acid, methionine, threonine, and combinations thereof.

(11) In a preferred embodiment, said one or more free amino acids A1 are in an amount from 2% to 30%, preferably from 2% to 25%, more preferably from 2% to 20% based on the total weight of said wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition.

(12) Advantageously, at least one sugar of said one or more sugars A2 is a reducing sugar. Preferably, said one or more sugars A2 are reducing sugar(s). Reducing sugars can indeed react with free amino acids A1 so as to produce flavors through Maillard reaction, thus enhancing palatability of said composition.

(13) The sugars A2 are preferably selected from the group consisting of lactose, maltose, dextrose, fructose, glucose syrup, xylose, lactose, saccharose, ribose, and combinations thereof. More preferably, said sugars are selected from the group consisting of dextrose, glucose syrup, xylose, lactose, saccharose, ribose, and combinations thereof.

(14) More preferably, at least xylose is used since it can highly react with sugars, especially reducing sugars. Ribose may also or alternatively be used in a satisfying manner. However, using ribose will result in a higher, and possibly prohibitive, cost of the foodstuff. In addition, or yet alternatively, glucose syrup, lactose or dextrose may be conveniently used since it is costless and easily available.

(15) In a preferred embodiment, said one or more sugars A2 are in an amount from 2 to 50%, preferably from 2 to 40%, more preferably from 2 to 35% based on the total weight of said wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition.

(16) In a preferred embodiment, said one or more inorganic phosphate compounds B are selected from the group consisting of phosphoric acid, monophosphates, pyrophosphates, polyphosphates and combinations thereof. Yet preferably, said one or more inorganic phosphate compounds B are selected from the group consisting of pyrophosphates, polyphosphates and combinations thereof.

(17) A preferred inorganic phosphate compound according to the present invention is a pyrophosphate compound selected from the group consisting of disodium pyrophosphate, trisodium pyrophosphate, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, dipotassium pyrophosphate, tripotassium pyrophosphate, tetrapotassium pyrophosphate, tetraferric pyrophosphate, and combinations thereof.

(18) Said one or more inorganic phosphate compounds B are preferably present in an amount from 5 to 30%, preferably from 5 to 25%, more preferably from 5 to 20% based on the total weight of said wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition.

(19) The amount of phosphorus is from 1% to 5% based on the total weight of said wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition. Preferably, the amount of phosphorus is from 1.5% to 5%, more preferably from 2% to 5%, even more preferably from 2.5% to 4.5% based on the total weight of said wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition.

(20) In a particular embodiment, the wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition comprises from 15 to 80%, preferably from 20 to 75% of said free amino acids, sugars and inorganic phosphate compounds.

(21) In another particular embodiment, the wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition consists of said free amino acids, sugars and inorganic phosphate compounds.

(22) In a preferred embodiment, the wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition further comprises at least one protein hydrolyzate C. In a preferred embodiment, said protein hydrolyzate is an animal digest, a feather hydrolyzate, a vegetable hydrolyzate, a yeast hydrolyzate, a yeast extract or a combination thereof. Said animal digest can be selected from the group consisting of poultry product or by-product digests, pork product or by-product digests, fish by-product digests, and combinations thereof.

(23) Advantageously, said protein hydrolyzate C is in an amount from 15 to 85%, preferably from 20 to 80%, more preferably from 25% to 80% based on the total weight of said wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition.

(24) In a particular embodiment, the wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition comprises at least (% based on the total weight of said wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition): from 2 to 30%, preferably from 2 to 25%, more preferably from 2 to 20% of said free amino acids A1, from 2 to 50%, preferably from 2 to 40%, more preferably from 2 to 35% of said sugars A2, from 5 to 30%, preferably from 5 to 25%, more preferably from 5 to 20% of said inorganic phosphate compounds B, and optionally from 15 to 85%, preferably from 20 to 80%, more preferably from 25% to 80% of said protein hydrolyzate C.

(25) Advantageously, the wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition has a ratio (A1+P)/(A2+C) inferior to 1, preferably comprised between 0.05 and 1, more preferably comprised between 0.05 and 0.9, more preferably comprised between 0.05 and 0.8, more preferably comprised between 0.05 and 0.7, more preferably comprised between 0.05 and 0.6.

(26) In a particular embodiment, the wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition further comprises at least one fat, preferably selected from the list consisting of animal fats and vegetable oils. In a preferred embodiment, the fat is selected from the group consisting of poultry fat, chicken fat, pork fat, lamb tallow, beef tallow, milk fat or milk-derived fat, marine oils, and combinations thereof.

(27) The wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition can be dry or liquid. The wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition can also be frozen.

(28) As a first example, the wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition is a dry wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition.

(29) As a second example, the wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition is a liquid wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition.

(30) As a third example, the wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition is a frozen wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition. This enhances stabilization and facilitates the use of the wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition.

(31) Method for Producing a Wet Pet Food Palatability-Enhancing Composition

(32) Another aspect of the present invention concerns a method for producing a wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition as above described, said method comprising the steps of:

(33) a) providing said at least one or more free amino acids A1, one or more sugars A2, and one or more inorganic phosphate compounds B; b) if necessary, grinding one or more of said ingredients of step a); c) mixing said ingredients obtained from step a) and/or b); and d) obtaining said wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition.

(34) In a particular embodiment, a protein hydrolyzate is also provided in step a).

(35) In particular embodiments, said method further comprises one or more intermediate steps between steps c) and d) above, such as:

(36) e) thermally treating the mixture resulting from step c); and/or

(37) f) further stabilizing the resulting composition of step c) or e) (by, e.g., acidification, addition of preservatives, and the like); and/or

(38) g) drying the composition obtained from step c) or e) or f); and/or

(39) h) freezing the composition obtained from step c) or e) or f).

(40) In a yet particular embodiment, two or more palatability-enhancing compositions or intermediates thereof (such as the mixtures resulting from step c) or e) or f) or g) or h)) can be mixed together in order to obtain a final palatability-enhancing composition for use in pet food. Should a drying step g) be performed, then said two or more palatability-enhancing compositions or intermediates thereof are advantageously mixed before said step g).

(41) The person skilled in the art will be able to select appropriate steps, adapt said steps if need be, select appropriate order for the selected steps, given that some steps may be performed concomitantly according to usual practice in the art.

(42) Wet Pet Food

(43) Another aspect of the present invention concerns a wet pet food having enhanced palatability comprising a wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition as above described.

(44) Preferably, the wet pet food is a wet cat food.

(45) Said wet pet food is selected from the group consisting of chunk-in-X product, such as a chunk-in-jelly product or a chunk-in-gravy product, chunks, loaf, chunks-in-loaf or beverages.

(46) In a particular embodiment, beverages are excluded. Said wet pet food can thus be a chunk-in-X product, such as a chunk-in-jelly product or a chunk-in-gravy product, chunks, loaf or chunks-in-loaf.

(47) Said wet pet food can comprise from 0.5% to 50%, preferably from 0.5% to 40%, more preferably from 0.5% to 30%, more preferably from 0.5% to 20%, %, more preferably from 0.5% to 10%, more preferably from 0.5 to 5%, more preferably from 0.5% to 4% of said wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition (% based on the total weight of said wet pet food).

(48) The skilled person will understand that this amount can vary, for example regarding the phosphorus amount of the wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition so as to keep a low phosphorus amount in the wet pet food.

(49) In a particular embodiment, the wet pet food comprises 0.05% to 5%, more preferably from 0.5% to 3%, more preferably from 0.5% to 2%, more preferably from 0.5% to 1% of phosphorus (% based on the total weight of said wet pet food).

(50) Advantageously, the wet pet food comprises from 0.05% to 0.5%, preferably from 0.05% to 0.3%, more preferably from 0.05% to 0.2% of phosphorus (% based on the total weight of said wet pet food). The wet pet food is thus appropriate for pets, such as cats, suffering from renal disease.

(51) Advantageously, sugars, free amino acids and phosphorus comprised in the wet pet food all provide from the wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition.

(52) Method for Producing a Wet Pet Food

(53) Another aspect of the present invention concerns a method for producing a wet pet food, preferably a wet cat food, having enhanced palatability comprising: a) adding to a wet pet food, a wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition as above described; and b) obtaining a wet pet food having enhanced palatability.

(54) According to a first embodiment, the wet pet food is chunks. The wet pet food having enhanced palatability obtained at step b) is thus chunks having enhanced palatability.

(55) According to this first embodiment, step a) can comprise the following steps consisting of:

(56) a1) providing a wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition as above described and chunks ingredients,

(57) a2) mixing said wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition and said chunks ingredients,

(58) a3) cooking and slicing the thus obtained mixture of step a2).

(59) Chunks ingredients comprise at least meat and/or meat by-products, carbohydrates and/or grains, texturing agents.

(60) Advantageously, cooking can be performed before slicing, or slicing can be performed before cooking in step a3).

(61) It has to be understood that even if this first embodiment is disclosed through chunks, other forms than chunks are clearly encompassed. For instance, other forms than chunks may be sliced products, grated products, etc.

(62) Preferably, the method comprises a step c) of sealing and retorting the thus obtained chunks having enhanced palatability in a container, such as cans or pouches or trays.

(63) According to a second embodiment, the wet pet food is a chunk-in-X product, such as a chunk-in-jelly product or a chunk-in-gravy product. The wet pet food having enhanced palatability obtained at step b) is thus a chunk-in-X product, such as a chunk-in-jelly product or a chunk-in-gravy product, having enhanced palatability.

(64) For this second embodiment, step a) can typically be performed by incorporating the palatability-enhancing composition in the X preparation, such as a gravy or jelly preparation, and/or in chunks.

(65) Therefore, according to this second embodiment, step a) can comprise the following steps consisting of:

(66) a1) providing a wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition as above described, chunks ingredients and X preparation ingredients,

(67) a2) mixing said chunks ingredients,

(68) a3) cooking and slicing the thus obtained mixture of chunks ingredients of step a2),

(69) a4) mixing said X preparation ingredients,

(70) a5) cooking the thus obtained mixture of X preparation ingredients of step a4),

(71) wherein said wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition is incorporated in step a2) and/or in step a4).

(72) Chunks ingredients preferably comprise at least meat and/or meat by-products, carbohydrates and/or grains, texturing agents.

(73) X preparation ingredients preferably comprise water, texturing agents and optionally colorants and/or nutrients.

(74) Advantageously, cooking can be performed before slicing, or slicing can be performed before cooking in step a3).

(75) In the same way as for the first embodiment, it has to be understood that this category of “chunk-in-X” products encompasses also edible forms other than chunks that may be contained in the X preparation such as a jelly, a gravy, and the like. For instance, other forms than chunks may be sliced products, grated products, cold extruded products etc.

(76) Preferably, the method comprises a step c) of sealing and retorting the thus obtained chunk-in-X having enhanced palatability in a container, such as cans or pouches or trays.

(77) According to a third embodiment, the wet pet food is a loaf. The wet pet food having enhanced palatability obtained at step b) is thus a loaf having enhanced palatability.

(78) According to this third embodiment, step a) can comprise the steps consisting of:

(79) a1) providing a wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition as above described and loaf ingredients,

(80) a2) mixing said loaf ingredients and said wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition,

(81) a3) cooking the mixture obtained at step a2) so as to obtain a loaf.

(82) Loaf ingredients preferably comprise meat and/or meat by-products, carbohydrates and/or grains, texturing agents, water.

(83) Preferably, the method comprises a step c) of sealing and retorting the thus obtained loaf having enhanced palatability in a container, such as cans or pouches or trays.

(84) Advantageously, the step a3) and c) can be performed simultaneously. Cooking is thus made by sealing and retorting the mixture obtained at step a2).

(85) According to a fourth embodiment, the wet pet food is chunks-in-loaf.

(86) Therefore, according to this fourth embodiment, step a) can comprise the following steps consisting of:

(87) a1) providing a wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition as above described, chunks and loaf,

(88) a2) adding said wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition to the chunks and/or to the loaf.

(89) a3) adding said chunks to said loaf.

(90) The wet pet food having enhanced palatability obtained at step b) is thus chunks-in-loaf having enhanced palatability.

(91) Step a2) can advantageously be performed as described in the first and/or the second embodiment.

(92) Preferably, the method comprises a step c) of sealing and retorting the thus obtained chunk-in-loaf having enhanced palatability.

(93) These methods are non limitative and the person skilled in the art will be able to select appropriate steps, adapt said steps if need be, add some other steps, select appropriate order for the selected steps, given that some steps may be performed concomitantly according to usual practice in the art.

(94) Method for Enhancing the Palatability of a Wet Pet Food

(95) Yet another aspect of the present invention is related to a method for enhancing the palatability of a wet pet food, wherein said method comprises: a) adding to a wet pet food, a wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition as above described; and b) obtaining a wet pet food having enhanced palatability.

(96) The above-mentioned technical features recited for the method for producing a wet pet food having enhanced palatability can also apply to this method for enhancing the palatability of a wet pet food.

(97) Method for Feeding Pets

(98) Another aspect of the present invention concerns a method for feeding a pet comprising at least:

(99) a) providing a wet pet food as above described; and

(100) b) feeding said wet pet food to the pet.

(101) Preferably, said pet is a cat.

(102) In a particular embodiment, the pet is suffering from renal deficiency.

(103) Method for Increasing Wet Pet Food Intake

(104) Another aspect of the present invention concerns a method for increasing wet pet food intake of a pet comprising at least the steps consisting of:

(105) a) providing a wet pet food as above described; and

(106) b) feeding said wet pet food to the pet.

(107) The wet pet food intake is increased in particular compared to another wet pet food which does not comprise a composition according to the invention.

(108) Preferably, said pet is a cat.

(109) In a particular embodiment, the pet is suffering from renal deficiency.

(110) Kit for Enhancing the Palatability of a Wet Pet Food

(111) Another aspect of the present invention concerns a kit for enhancing the palatability of a wet pet food comprising, in one or more containers in a single package: a wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition as above described; optionally a wet pet food; optionally a means for communicating information about or instructions for using said wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition and, optionally, said pet food ingredient.

(112) The present invention will be further described by reference to the following examples, which are presented for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

EXAMPLES

1. Materials and Methods

1.1. Preparation of Wet Pet Food Palatability-Enhancing Compositions

(113) Wet pet food palatability-enhancing compositions are hereafter named PEC.

(114) 1.1.1. Preparation of Powdered Palatability-Enhancing Compositions

(115) One or more free amino acids, one or more sugars, one or more inorganic phosphate compounds and possibly one or more powdered protein hydrolyzates were blended for 10 min using a pilote scale paddle mixer (Forberg, France).

(116) 1.1.2. Preparation of Frozen Palatability-Enhancing Compositions

(117) A liquid protein hydrolyzate was blended to one or more free amino acids, one or more sugars, one or more inorganic phosphate compounds. Optionally, one or more other powdered protein hydrolyzates were blended for 10 min using a lab scale paddle mixer (Turbotest). The final composition was then frozen.

1.2. Preparation of Wet Pet Foods

(118) 1.2.1. Preparation of Chunks-in-Jelly

(119) TABLE-US-00001 Pork and poultry tissues 86.52% Salt 0.60% Vitamins & minerals premix 0.60% Wheat flour 5.00% Texturing agent 0.65% Water 6.63%

(120) The pork and poultry tissues were ground and the water was added. Afterwards all the powdered ingredients were poured into the slurry, which was then ground and mixed. A cooking step was performed at 95° C., 100% humidity for 4 min. The mixture was finally cut into 8 mm chunks, which were added in pouches.

(121) The Jelly was Manufactured Using the Following Protocol:

(122) Water (96.9%) was heated to 80° C. Colouring agent (0.1%), texturing agents (1.0%) and the wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition (2%—prepared according to 1.1.1) were mixed together. The powders were then poured into the hot jelly which was mixed. The jelly was then added into the same pouches. A ratio of 50:50 chunks:jelly (weight/weight) is respected.

(123) The Chunks-in-Jelly Product was Manufactured Using the Following Protocol:

(124) The pouches containing the chunks and the jelly were then sealed and retorted (heating to 129° C.-22 min, maintaining at 127° C.-17 min, cooling to 50° C.-16 min).

(125) 1.2.2. Preparation of Loaf

(126) Two loaf products for cats were manufactured as follows. Pork and poultry tissues: 46.08% Frozen wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition: 4.00% Texturing agents: 0.98% Mix of vitamins & minerals: 0.30% Wheat flour: 5.00% Water: 43.64%

(127) The pork and poultry tissues were ground and mixed. Then the other materials and the wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition (prepared according to 1.1.2) were added and the resulting blend was ground.

(128) The slurry was transferred to a vacuum filler and dosed into 400 g cans. The cans were sealed and retorted (heating to 127° C.-20 min, maintaining at 127° C.-67 min, cooling to 30° C.-20 min).

1.3. Determination of Palatability with a Two-Bowl Test

(129) Operating Method of the Test:

(130) The palatability of two products was assessed at Panelis (France), using a two-bowl test (two short meals per day for two days) on 40 cats. The two foods were presented at the same time to each cat in an individual loose box. The position of each wet pet food in the loose box was switched at each meal to avoid a choice lead by handedness. The final intake of each food was measured. The data were summed for each day. The results are shown as relative consumption ratios of A or B.

(131) If animals have higher or lower consumption compared to predetermined values (which are function of, e.g., the animal weight and/or metabolism), they are not taken into account into statistical treatment.

(132) Statistical Analysis

(133) Statistical analysis was used to determine if there was a significant difference between the 2 ratios. A Student's t-test with 3 error thresholds, namely 5%, 1% and 0.1%, was performed.

(134) Significance levels are noted as below:

(135) TABLE-US-00002 NS not significant (p > 0.05) * significant (p ≤ 0.05) ** highly significant (p ≤ 0.01) *** very highly significant (p ≤ 0.001)

2. Results

2.1. Example 1: The Use of a Low Phosphorus Palatability-Enhancing Composition Having a R1 Ratio According to the Invention Enhances Palatability of a Wet Pet Food Compared to the Use of a Low Phosphorus Palatability-Enhancing Composition Having a R1 Ratio Out of the Invention

(136) Wet pet foods were prepared according to the process mentioned in paragraph 1.2.1.

(137) Control diets 1 and 2 are wet pet foods comprising 1% of a low phosphorus palatability-enhancing composition having a R1 ratio out of the invention as shown in Table 1.

(138) Experimental diets 1 and 2 are wet pet foods comprising 1% of a low phosphorus palatability-enhancing composition having a R1 ratio according to the invention as shown in Table 1.

(139) TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 1 PEC of PEC of PEC of PEC of Control Experimental Control Experimental Diet 1 Diet 1 Diet 2 Diet 2 Phosphorus (P) (%) 4.1 4.0 4.3 4.3 A1 6.9 17.0 10.0 17.0 A2 15.0 31.0 17.0 31.0 Ratio R1 (A1/(A1 + 0.27 0.33 0.22 0.32 A2 + P)) (A1 + P)/(A2 + C) 0.15 0.32 0.20 0.32

(140) Versus tests were performed to compare palatability to cats of the control diet 1 and the experimental diet 1, and to compare palatability to cats of the control diet 2 and the experimental diet 2. The results are presented in table 2.

(141) TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 2 Consumption ratio Test Day Food A Food B % A % B Significance Day 1 Control Diet 1 Experimental 37 63 *** Diet 1 Day 2 Control Diet 1 Experimental 39 61 ** Diet 1 Day 1 Control Diet 2 Experimental 43 57 ** Diet 2 Day 2 Control Diet 2 Experimental 40 60 *** Diet 2

(142) As shown in Table 2, consumptions were very highly significantly different between the control diets and the experimental diets, showing a preference for the experimental diets.

(143) This demonstrates that the use of a low phosphorus palatability-enhancing composition enhances palatability of a wet pet food only when the R1 ratio is superior to 0.30.

2.2. Example 2: The Use of a Low Phosphorus Palatability-Enhancing Composition Having a R1 Ratio According to the Invention Enhances Palatability of a Wet Pet Food Compared to the Use of a Palatability-Enhancing Composition Having a R1 Ratio According to the Invention but Having a Too Low Amount of Phosphorus

(144) Wet pet foods were prepared according to the process mentioned in paragraph 1.2.2.

(145) Control diet 3 is a wet pet food comprising 4% of a low phosphorus palatability-enhancing composition having a R1 ratio according to the invention but having a too low amount of phosphorus, i.e. inferior to 1%, as shown in Table 3.

(146) Experimental diet 3 is a wet pet food comprising 4% of a low phosphorus palatability-enhancing composition having a R1 ratio according to the invention, as shown in Table 3.

(147) TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 3 PEC of Control Diet 3 PEC of Experimental Diet 3 Phosphorus (P) (%) 0.7 2.0 A1 0.8 2.5 A2 0.9 2.6 Ratio R1 (A1/(A1 + 0.35 0.35 A2 + P)) (A1 + P)/(A2 + C) 0.02 0.06

(148) Versus tests were performed to compare palatability to cats of the control diet 3 and the experimental diet 3. The results are presented in table 4.

(149) TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 4 Consumption ratio Test Day Food A Food B % A % B Significance Day 1 Control Diet 3 Experimental 35 65 *** Diet 3 Day 2 Control Diet 3 Experimental 39 61 *** Diet 3

(150) As shown in Table 4, consumptions were very highly significantly different between the control diet 3 and the experimental diet 3, showing a preference for the experimental diet 3.

(151) This demonstrates that a minimum amount of 1% phosphorus is essential in order to enhance palatability. Indeed, even when complying with the above-described ratio R1, palatability is not enhanced if the amount of phosphorus is below 1% based on the total weight of said wet pet food palatability-enhancing composition.

2.3. Example 3: The Use of a Low Phosphorus Palatability-Enhancing Composition Having a R1 Ratio According to the Invention can Enhance Palatability of a Wet Pet Food Compared to the Use of a High Phosphorus Palatability-Enhancing Composition Having a R1 Ratio According to the Invention

(152) Wet pet foods were prepared according to the process mentioned in paragraph 1.2.1.

(153) Control diet 4 is a wet pet food comprising 1% of a high phosphorus palatability-enhancing composition having a R1 ratio according to the invention as shown in Table 5.

(154) Experimental diet 4 is a wet pet food comprising 1% of a low phosphorus palatability-enhancing composition having a R1 ratio according to the invention as shown in Table 5.

(155) TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 5 PEC of Control Diet 4 PEC of Experimental Diet 4 Phosphorus (P) (%) 11.6 4.0 A1 14.1 17.0 A2 15.1 31.0 Ratio R1 (A1/(A1 + 0.34 0.33 A2+ P)) (A1 + P)/(A2 + C) 0.68 0.32

(156) Versus tests were performed to compare palatability to cats of the control diet 4 and the experimental diet 4. The results are presented in table 6.

(157) TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 6 Consumption ratio Test Day Food A Food B % A % B Significance Day 1 Control Experimental 27 73 *** Diet 4 Diet 4 Day 2 Control Experimental 34 66 *** Diet 4 Diet 4

(158) As shown in Table 6, consumptions were very highly significantly different between the control diet 4 and the experimental diet 4, showing a preference for the experimental diet 4.

(159) This demonstrates that the use of a low phosphorus palatability-enhancing composition having a R1 ratio according to the invention can even enhance palatability of a wet pet food compared to the use of a high phosphorus palatability-enhancing composition having a R1 ratio according to the invention.

2.4. Example 4: A Wet Pet Food Comprising a High Phosphorus Palatability-Enhancing Composition Having a R1 Ratio According to the Invention is as Palatable as a Wet Pet Food Comprising a High Phosphorus Palatability-Enhancing Composition Having a R1 Ratio Out of the Invention

(160) Wet pet foods were prepared according to the process mentioned in paragraph 1.2.2.

(161) Control diet 5 is a wet pet food comprising 2% of a high phosphorus palatability-enhancing composition having a R1 ratio according to the invention as shown in Table 7.

(162) Control diet 6 is a wet pet food comprising 2% of a high phosphorus palatability-enhancing composition having a R1 ratio out of the invention as shown in Table 7.

(163) TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 7 PEC of Control Diet 5 PEC of Control Diet 6 Phosphorus (P) (%) 11.6 7.3 A1 15.2 9.0 A2 15.0 16.0 Ratio R1 0.36 0.28 (A1 + P)/(A2 + C) 0.73 0.27

(164) Versus tests were performed to compare palatability to cats of the control diet 5 and the control diet 6. The results are presented in table 8.

(165) TABLE-US-00010 TABLE 8 Consumption ratio Test Day Food A Food B % A % B Significance Day 1 Control Diet 5 Control Diet 6 46 54 NS Day 2 Control Diet 5 Control Diet 6 48 52 NS

(166) As shown in Table 8, consumptions were not significantly different between the control diet 5 and the control diet 6.

(167) This demonstrates that a wet pet food comprising a high phosphorus palatability-enhancing composition having a R1 ratio according to the invention is as palatable as a wet pet food comprising a high phosphorus palatability-enhancing composition having a R1 ratio out of the invention. The R1 ratio does thus not influence palatability of high phosphorus palatability-enhancing composition.