Antioxidantes Pet Food Dietas Barf

The BARF diet trend in pet nutrition

In recent years, the BARF diet (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food or Bones and Raw Food) has surged in popularity among pet owners increasingly concerned about commercial pet foods’ quality and health benefits. The philosophy behind this diet is rooted in the belief that domestic dogs and cats should thrive on nutritional habits that closely mimic what their ancestors ate in the wild.

This growing trend reflects a broader movement towards natural and holistic pet care, emphasizing providing pets with whole, unprocessed foods free from artificial additives and preservatives. Proponents argue that this approach not only aligns more closely with the animals’ evolutionary nutritional needs but also promotes superior health outcomes compared to conventional pet diets.

Components of the BARF diet

The BARF diet is carefully crafted to replicate the nutritional profile that wild animals would naturally consume. This approach emphasizes the importance of providing a variety of raw, unprocessed foods to ensure a balanced and nutritionally complete diet.

  • Raw meaty bones (RMBs) form the key feature of the BARF diet, supplying essential calcium and phosphorus necessary for strong bones and teeth.
  • Muscle meat is another essential component of the BARF diet, offering high-quality protein and fat. These meats are rich in amino acids and essential nutrients that contribute to muscle maintenance and growth.
  • Organ meats, including liver, kidneys, and heart, are also integral to the BARF diet due to their dense nutritional content. Organs are packed with vitamins and minerals that support several crucial bodily functions.
  • Vegetables and fruits are incorporated into the BARF diet to provide fiber, vitamins, and phytonutrients that contribute to overall health and disease prevention. Plant-based foods offer antioxidants and other beneficial compounds that support the immune system and help prevent chronic diseases.
  • Herbs and spices such as turmeric and ginger are included not only to enhance the food’s flavor, but also to offer therapeutic benefits due to their potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
  • Natural supplements, particularly fish oil and coconut oil, are often added to BARF diets to boost omega-3 fatty acid intake and provide additional antioxidant health benefits.

Benefits of the BARF diet

Advocates of the BARF diet highlight numerous benefits, emphasizing the provision of high-quality nutrients, particularly proteins. Improved digestion is frequently reported, as raw foods are believed to be easier for pets to process, leading to better nutrient absorption and overall digestive health. This diet often results in more compact and less odorous waste, indicating enhanced nutrient utilization.

Significant dental health benefits are also observed, as the natural action of chewing raw bones helps clean teeth and reduce plaque and tartar buildup. Additionally, many pet owners note higher energy levels and improved vitality in their pets when fed a raw diet.

Criticisms, risks, and practical considerations of the BARF diet

Despite its popularity, the BARF diet is not devoid of critics and potential risks. Ensuring a balanced diet that meets all nutritional requirements can be challenging without careful planning and consultation with a veterinarian. Raw meat can harbor bacteria and parasites that pose health risks to both pets and humans.

Sourcing high-quality, fresh ingredients from reputable suppliers is essential for safety and nutritional adequacy. Proper storage and handling of raw food preparations are essential to prevent contamination and deterioration.

The role of antioxidants in pet food

In the quest to offer high-quality products, the pet food industry faces significant challenges, particularly in maintaining freshness and quality throughout a product’s shelf life. Oxidation of fats and other sensitive nutrients in pet food can lead to spoilage and reduced nutritional value. Flour and fat content, in particular, are prone to oxidation, compromising the product’s quality and safety. Antioxidants are essential to address this issue by preserving the nutritional integrity and safety of pet foods.

Among the various antioxidants available, tocopherols stand out as highly effective. Tocopherols, a class of organic compounds collectively known as vitamin E, protect lipids and other oxidation-sensitive nutrients from degradation. Their ability to neutralize free radicals ensures that pet foods maintain their nutritional quality over time, extending shelf life and preventing spoilage.

Unlike synthetic antioxidants, tocopherols are natural compounds that offer greater stability and are perceived as safer by consumers. Their natural origin makes them an ideal choice for pet owners concerned about the quality and transparency of ingredients in their pets’ food, aligning with BARF diet principles.

Furthermore, tocopherols are highly versatile and compatible with a wide range of pet food formulations. Whether used in dry, moist, or semi-moist foods, tocopherols can be easily integrated into recipes without compromising flavor or texture. This versatility allows manufacturers to use tocopherols across different animal foods, ensuring consistent antioxidant protection.

How BTSA boosts the potential of tocopherols for pet food preservation

BTSA, the leading European manufacturer of natural antioxidants and natural vitamin E, provides advanced options to preserve pet food preparations. These products are made from tocopherols distilled from a single raw ingredient: whole non-GMO soybean oil extract. OXABIOL® is specifically designed to protect lipid compounds, enhancing the shelf life of pet food while preserving its freshness and active ingredients.

OXABIOL® is available in various concentrations and formats, including liquid and powder, making it a versatile and 100% natural product developed exclusively by BTSA. Its high antioxidant power relies on the synergy between its naturally occurring active ingredients, providing stability to fats, oils, and meat or fish flours, as well as other components like pigments, vitamins, and aromatic compounds that are susceptible to oxidation.

BTSA’s R&D department conducted two assays to determine the optimal natural antioxidant and dosage for stabilizing animal feeds, analyzing both flour and fat-derived fractions, in particular using the RapidOxy method. This device, as illustrated in our informative video, accelerates the oxidation process by increasing temperature and oxygen pressure in contact with the sample in a sealed chamber.

RapidOxy comparative test in poultry meal stabilized with antioxidants

In this study, the antioxidant activity of OXABIOL ERL® 37 is compared at different concentrations in poultry meal. OXABIOL® ERL 37 is a synergistic blend of BTSA’s OXABIOL® antioxidant with rosemary extract and sunflower lecithin.

The device analyzed the following samples:

  • Poultry meal + 1000 ppm Synthetic antioxidant
  • Poultry meal + 1000 ppm OXABIOL PREMIUM
  • Poultry meal + 1000 ppm OXABIOL® ERL 37

As shown in Figure 1, the antioxidant that worked best was OXABIOL® ERL 37, increasing the stability of the product by more than 70% when 1000 ppm of antioxidant was used.

FIGURE 1:

RapidOxy comparative test in oil product stabilized with natural antioxidant

In this study, the antioxidant activity of OXABIOL ERL, OXABIOL ERL PREMIUM, and a competitor antioxidant with similar characteristics are compared.

OXABIOL® ERL is a natural premixture made up of mixed Tocopherols, with a blend of natural tocopherols minimum of 20%, rosemary extract, and sunflower lecithin, while OXABIOL® ERL PREMIUM is a natural premixture made up of mixed Tocopherols concentrate with a blend of natural tocopherols minimum of 35%, rosemary extract, and sunflower lecithin.

The device analyzed the following samples:

  • Oil sample + 1000 ppm Synthetic Antioxidant
  • Oil sample + 1000 ppm OXABIOL® ERL
  • Oil sample + 1000 ppm OXABIOL® ERL PREMIUM

As shown in Figure 2, it was obtained that, at equal concentrations, OXABIOL® ERL PREMIUM is the most effective antioxidant with an increase in oxidative stability of 250% compared to the sample without antioxidants.

FIGURE 2:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BTSA’s advanced antioxidants, such as OXABIOL® and its synergistic blends, have proven to provide reliable and effective protection against the oxidation of animal feeds, including both flour and fat-derived fractions.

Specifically, OXABIOL® ERL 37 and OXABIOL® ERL PREMIUM have shown exceptional efficacy, offering a superior natural solution to extend the shelf life of animal food products and maintain their quality over time.