Frutarom Food Protection Division has launched SubSTAR, a line of customized formulations for salmon oil oxidation management for pet foods.

Oil from fatty fish, such as salmon, is one of the best sources of the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA and is increasingly used in premium brands of pet foods due to its health benefits. However, these fatty acids are unstable and can rapidly oxidize and turn rancid. Salmon and other fish oil are especially challenging. Unsaturated fatty acids, being so highly prone to oxidation, can lead to spoilage and loss of quality and reduced nutritional value, not to mention causing a rancid flavor and changes in color. They can even develop toxic byproducts.

Figure 1: Rancimat test of salmon
oil, performed at 90°C.
The higher the induction time
the better the stability
of the oil and longer
shelf life is indicated.

Oxidation also leads to significant food waste due to shorter shelf-life, increased product losses, and interrupted production. When the fish oil is added to the outer layer of the kibble as palatant, it only increases application challenges regarding oxidation risk versus when it is part of the kibble formulation.

Frutarom’s new, all-natural SubSTAR formulations successfully protect salmon oil from oxidation, improve its overall stability, maintain product color, and preserve the flavor and nutritional profile.

“Available in liquid and powder form, the SubSTAR solutions are highly potent formulations, customized to fit the specific processing demands of pet food manufacturers and their raw material suppliers,” explains Ohad Cohan, General Manager of Frutaroms Food Protection Division.

“These formulations provide better stability and maintain oil quality, even during warm weather and prolonged periods of storage at elevated temperatures. All SubSTAR formulations provide powerful protection at low dosage. They are simple and easy to handle, added as part of a kibble recipe.”

Providing extended shelf life and improved quality to the level of excellence, SubSTAR formulations outperform other solutions traditionally offered in the industry. Reliability and efficacy, even at low concentrations add to their already impressive advantages, while FAMI – QS certification guarantees the highest level of vertically integrated raw materials sourcing.