Abstract: An active or Probiotic animal food having a low water activity that can be contained within a package having a low vapor transmission rate. The animal food can have a shelf life sufficient to deliver a target dose of Probiotic to an animal. The water activity of the animal food can be controlled. The activity level of the Probiotic can be controlled.

Abstract: A method of providing an animal food having an active. A Probiotic animal food having a low water activity that can be contained within a package having a low vapor transmission rate. The animal food can have a shelf life sufficient to deliver a target dose of Probiotic to an animal. The water activity of the animal food can be controlled. The activity level of the Probiotic can be controlled.

Abstract: A composition having from 45% to 90%, by weight, of a first portion and from 10% to 55%, by weight, a second portion. The first portion has a lower melting point than the second portion. The first portion can have a higher water activity than the second portion. The first portion contains a sensitive ingredient which can be a Probiotic. The composition can be a supplement intended to be given to a pet.

Abstract: A method of providing an animal food having an active. A Probiotic animal food having a low water activity that can be contained within a package having a low vapor transmission rate. The animal food can have a shelf life sufficient to deliver a target dose of Probiotic to an animal. The water activity of the animal food can be controlled. The activity level of the Probiotic can be controlled.

Abstract: An active or Probiotic animal food having a low water activity that can be contained within a package having a low vapor transmission rate. The animal food can have a shelf life sufficient to deliver a target dose of Probiotic to an animal. The water activity of the animal food can be controlled. The activity level of the Probiotic can be controlled.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition: comprising; a sensitive ingredient; and where the sensitive ingredient is within a protective coating comprising a chitosan matrix. Additionally, the present invention relates to methods of stabilizing a sensitive ingredient. More specifically to a stabilizing method that comprises the steps of: preparing a mixture of an alkali metal alginate; adding to said mixture a sensitive ingredient; creating a stream of said mixture comprising the sensitive ingredient; cutting said stream to form a sphere; dropping said sphere into a source of chitosan; forming a coated sphere of said sensitive ingredient within a protective coating comprising a chitosan alginate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of forming a coated sphere comprising the steps: (a) combining an alkali metal alginate with water; (b) preparing a mixture of said alkali metal alginate with a sensitive ingredient; (c) pumping said mixture to a nozzle; (d) cutting said mixture with a fluid stream; (e) forming a sphere; (f) dropping said sphere into an coating matrix; (g) providing a first protective coating around said sphere; and (h) forming a coated sphere.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a a composition comprising a sensitive ingredient; and where the sensitive ingredient has a chemical stability index of at least about 1.05, a Bioavailability Index of at least about 1.05 and a Horgan Indeces of less than about 0.8.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of forming a coated sphere comprising the steps: (a) preparing a mixture of an alkali metal alginate combined with a sensitive ingredient; (b) adding water; (c) forming a dough; (d) placing said dough into an extruder; (e) passing said dough through a die to form a sphere; (f) dropping said sphere into an coating matrix; (g) providing a first protective coating around said sphere; (h) forming a coated sphere.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a preservative system and method for the improvement and/or stabilization of perishable food compositions. More particularly, the present invention relates to a natural preservative for improving the shelf-stability of a pet composition.