Feed palatability & the role of flavours
At Inroads, our role is to offer feed formulators maximum ingredient flexibility by applying the science of taste to create animal feed products that stimulate intake. Our bespoke flavour solutions are released on consumption, making the addition of unpalatable ingredients such as magnesium a realistic option.
Why is this important?
Palatability is crucial for the animal to eat the food it is presented with. Unpalatable feed will be rejected, regardless of the quality of ingredients or balance of essential nutrients.
Most animals make decisions on palatability using three sensory characteristics – taste, aroma and texture – and will eat more if palatability is high. Whilst the taste of feed is created by its ingredients, the addition of crucial micro-ingredients, minerals, vitamins and medicines are typically bitter and, therefore, render the feed unpalatable across most species.
Using aromas alone to mask micro-ingredients does not improve feed palatability, but stimulating salt, sour, sweet and bitter taste sensations is key.
With Tastetite, it’s all about applying the science:
Understanding and interpreting the basic taste sensations in animals together with umami science is just the starting point for us. This knowledge, combined with raw material profiles and their influence on palatability, enables us to develop a bespoke flavour solution that is both attractive and consistent in every delivery.
Our expert chemists balance the sensory profile of the aroma with the target species, your feed ingredients list and your manufacturing process to deliver a solution that guarantees intake stimulation and/or consumer acceptance. Why not take this one step further and work with our chemists to create a ‘brand’ aroma unique to your business?
The influence of high intensity sweeteners and sweetener flavour properties is a science in itself. Gustatory receptors and ingestion behaviour are just two important parameters we consider so that our Tastetite appetite solutions overcome negative taste attributes.
What does this mean for feed manufacturing?
- Tastetite is an innovative encapsulation technology designed to improve flavour delivery to animals through enhanced aroma and taste – we do the hard work for you.
- Tastetite flavours are protected, delivering temperature stability and resistance to harsh environmental conditions; maximising feed shelf life and providing consistency in every delivery.
- Flavours are released on consumption, allowing modification of feed taste and the masking of unpalatable ingredients such as magnesium.
- Tastetite is an adaptable technology that can fit multiple feeding systems, adding technical and commercial value to your products.
