This is a very technical article. It is all about chemistry. It is basically a chemistry lesson. Ninety-nine percent of the population will stop at this point and move on. 😎 But this is very relevant to dry cat food as it is so artificial. It’s sort of like pieces of flavourless protein blocks coated in palatability enhancers (chemicals that make the food attractive to a domestic cat). This study did some tests on four chicken liver protein hydrolysate-based cat food attractants and found that “Validation experiments confirmed that nonanal, 2-propylpyridine, and 3-octen-2-one enhanced palatability and correlated with peptides ranging from 180 to 500 Da.”
So, what the hell does that mean? 🤣😱 Well, I asked a very smart artificial intelligence computer (AI bot) and here is the information which I know you are really keen to digest (excuse the pun). 😒
Study title: Generation of Olfactory Compounds in Cat Food Attractants: Chicken Liver-Derived Protein Hydrolysates and Their Contribution to Enhancing Palatability. Link: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jafc.4c02871
What is nonanal, 2-propylpyridine, and 3-octen-2-one?
Response: Nonanal, 2-propylpyridine, and 3-octen-2-one are all organic chemical compounds:
- Nonanal:
- Nonanal is an aldehyde with the chemical formula C₉H₁₈O.
- It is a colorless liquid with a pleasant, fatty, waxy, or citrus-like odor.
- Nonanal is commonly used as a fragrance and flavor compound in various industries, such as cosmetics, personal care products, and food and beverage production.
- It can be found naturally in a variety of plant and animal sources, including citrus fruits, herbs, and animal fats.
- 2-Propylpyridine:
- 2-Propylpyridine is a heterocyclic aromatic organic compound with the chemical formula C₈H₁₁N.
- It is a colorless liquid with a pyridine-like odor.
- 2-Propylpyridine is used as an intermediate in the synthesis of various pharmaceutical and agrochemical compounds.
- It can also be found as a minor constituent in some essential oils and natural extracts.
- 3-Octen-2-one:
- 3-Octen-2-one is a ketone with the chemical formula C₈H₁₄O.
- It is a colorless or pale yellow liquid with a fruity, floral, and sometimes slightly green odor.
- 3-Octen-2-one is used as a flavor and fragrance compound in various food, beverage, and personal care products.
- It can be found naturally in some fruits, vegetables, and essential oils.
These three compounds are used in different applications, such as in the production of fragrances, flavors, and various chemical intermediates, due to their unique properties and potential uses in various industries.
Are these compounds used in enhancing the flavour of dry cat food?
es, these compounds can be used to enhance the flavor of dry cat food:
- Nonanal:
- Nonanal is commonly used as a flavor enhancer in pet food, including dry cat food.
- It can contribute a pleasant, fatty, or citrus-like flavor to the food, making it more appealing to cats.
- 2-Propylpyridine:
- While 2-propylpyridine is not as commonly used in pet food as nonanal, it can also be used as a flavor ingredient in some dry cat food formulations.
- It can provide a savory, pyridine-like aroma and taste that some cats may find appealing.
- 3-Octen-2-one:
- 3-Octen-2-one is another flavor compound that can be used in dry cat food to enhance the overall aroma and taste.
- Its fruity, floral, and slightly green notes can help create a more complex and appealing flavor profile for cats.
These and other similar flavor compounds are often used in combination to develop unique and enticing flavor profiles for dry cat food. Manufacturers may use them to make the food more palatable and attractive to cats, encouraging them to consume the food more readily.
It’s important to note that the use of these compounds in pet food is regulated and they are generally considered safe for consumption by cats when used in appropriate amounts and in accordance with relevant food safety standards.
RELATED: Wet cat food has a higher negative environmental impact than dry cat food
What does peptides ranging from 180 to 500 D mean?
The phrase “peptides ranging from 180 to 500 D” refers to the molecular weight or mass of the peptides being discussed.
Specifically:
- Peptides are small chains of amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins.
- The “D” stands for Daltons, which is a unit of measurement for molecular weight or mass.
- The range of 180 to 500 D means that the peptides in question have a molecular weight or mass between 180 and 500 Daltons.
This range is significant because it generally encompasses small to medium-sized peptides, which have various applications in research, medicine, and other fields. Some key points about this peptide size range:
- Small peptides (180-500 D):
- These peptides are typically composed of 2-50 amino acids.
- They are often more stable and easier to work with compared to larger proteins.
- Small peptides can have diverse biological activities and functions.
- Therapeutic potential:
- Peptides in this size range are often studied for their potential therapeutic applications, such as in drug development, wound healing, and antimicrobial treatments.
- Their relatively small size can make them more readily absorbed and utilized by the body compared to larger proteins.
- Research applications:
- Peptides in this molecular weight range are commonly used in various research applications, such as in biochemical assays, structural studies, and as probes or ligands.
So, in summary, the phrase “peptides ranging from 180 to 500 D” refers to a class of small to medium-sized peptides that have unique properties and potential applications in different fields of study and development.
Does chicken liver protein hydrolysate-based cat food attractant contain the three compounds mentioned?
Based on the information provided, it is possible that chicken liver protein hydrolysate-based cat food attractants could contain the three compounds mentioned (nonanal, 2-propylpyridine, and 3-octen-2-one), but this is not a certainty.
Here’s a breakdown of how these compounds may relate to chicken liver protein hydrolysate-based cat food attractants:
- Nonanal:
- Nonanal is a natural compound found in various foods, including animal-derived ingredients like chicken liver.
- During the protein hydrolysis process used to create protein hydrolysates, nonanal could be released or formed, contributing to the aroma and flavor profile.
- Nonanal is commonly used as a flavor enhancer in pet foods, including cat food attractants.
- 2-Propylpyridine:
- This compound is not typically associated with chicken liver or protein hydrolysates.
- It is more commonly used as an intermediate in chemical synthesis rather than as a direct flavor ingredient.
- While it is possible that 2-propylpyridine could be present in trace amounts, it is less likely to be a major component of a chicken liver protein hydrolysate-based cat food attractant.
- 3-Octen-2-one:
- Similar to nonanal, 3-octen-2-one is a natural compound that can be found in various food sources, including animal-derived ingredients like chicken liver.
- The protein hydrolysis process could potentially release or generate 3-octen-2-one, contributing to the overall flavor and aroma of the cat food attractant.
- 3-Octen-2-one is also used as a flavor enhancer in pet foods.
In summary, it is possible that the chicken liver protein hydrolysate-based cat food attractant could contain nonanal and 3-octen-2-one, as these are naturally occurring compounds that may be present or generated during the hydrolysis process. However, the presence of 2-propylpyridine is less likely, as it is not typically associated with chicken liver or protein hydrolysates. The specific composition of the attractant would depend on the manufacturing process and the specific formulation used by the pet food manufacturer.
Conclusion (mine)
You’ll probably find these three compounds list above sprayed onto some dry cat food products to make what would be tasteless ‘cardboard’ highly attractive and even addictive to some cats which is why they sometimes eat too much of it, which is why some cats can’t be allowed to free feed. It should be provided in portions at certain times of the day. Personally, I think domestic cats naturally eat about 4-5 times per day so smaller amounts but more often is best.
RELATED: Working out the protein content of wet and dry cat food for comparison (infographic)
