Working Principle of Pet Food Extruder

A pet food extruder is a specialized equipment designed for the production of pet food. It utilizes high temperature, high pressure, and high humidity conditions to heat and shear pet food ingredients, achieving a puffed effect, and maintaining a certain moisture content through a drying process.

High-Temperature Heating

The pet food extruder subjects the pet food ingredients to high-temperature heating. During the heating process, the starch in the pet food ingredients gelatinizes. This is because high temperatures cause starch granules to absorb water and swell, forming a gelatinous substance. This gelatinous substance denatures heat-sensitive proteins, thereby improving the taste and palatability of the pet food.

High-Pressure Shearing

The pet food extruder also subjects the pet food ingredients to high-pressure shearing. Under high pressure, the air in the pet food ingredients escapes, leading to the formation and expansion of bubbles. At the same time, high pressure can also improve the bonding between starch and protein, thereby increasing the structural stability and shelf life of the pet food.

High-Moisture Processing

The pet food extruder applies high-moisture processing to the pet food ingredients. High-moisture conditions help dissolve and diffuse soluble components in the food, improving the nutritional value and solubility of the food. Under high-moisture conditions, the particle size and shape of the pet food ingredients will also change, resulting in better taste and chewiness.

Drying Process

The pet food extruder undergoes a drying process. Drying is used to remove moisture from the pet food, allowing the pet food to maintain a certain moisture content. During the drying process, the manufacturer can control the moisture content according to the needs of the pet food to ensure the quality and shelf life of the pet food.

The working principle of the pet food extruder is to heat and shear pet food ingredients under high temperature, high pressure, and high humidity conditions to achieve a puffed effect and maintain a certain moisture content through a drying process. During this process, the taste, palatability, structural stability, and nutritional value of the pet food are all improved, thereby meeting the needs of consumers for pet food.