Analysis of Pet Food with FT-NIR Spectroscopy

Importance of the Topic

Pet food quality and composition directly affect animal health and consumer trust. Manufacturers must rapidly verify nutrient levels to optimize recipes, ensure compliance and reduce production costs. Fast, accurate analytical methods are critical for raw material inspection and final product control.

Objectives and Overview of the Study

This application note presents the use of Fourier transform near-infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy for routine analysis of pet food. The primary goal is to measure key parameters—moisture, ash, fiber, protein, fat and starch—in both incoming ingredients and finished products within seconds, supporting cost-effective production and consistent product quality.

Methodology and Instrumentation

• Sample preparation: Solid samples placed in quartz-bottom cups on an integrating sphere and rotated for uniformity; liquids measured in 8 mm glass vials.
• Measurement mode: Diffuse reflectance for solids; transmission/transflectance for liquids.
• Calibration: Multivariate models correlate NIR spectra with reference values for each analyte.
• Ready-to-use calibration packages available for raw materials, finished pet food and edible oils.

Used Instrumentation

• MPA II and MPA III multipurpose FT-NIR analyzers
• TANGO-R and TANGO-T routine lab FT-NIR instruments
• MATRIX-F II and BEAM process spectrometers for online monitoring

Main Results and Discussion

Calibration graphs demonstrate accurate prediction of protein and fat content in pet food. FT-NIR also quantifies omega-3 fatty acids (EPA, DHA), trans fats, free fatty acids and overall fat composition. Integration with process spectrometers enables real-time monitoring, reducing rework and ensuring consistent quality.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• No hazardous reagents or extensive sample preparation
• Measurement time of seconds per sample
• Minimal operator training required
• At-line and online process control capabilities
• Typical return on investment within one year

Future Trends and Potential Applications

Further integration with automated process control systems, development of advanced chemometric models for minor nutrients and contaminants, and cloud-based analytics will expand FT-NIR applications in pet food production and the broader food industry.

Conclusion

FT-NIR spectroscopy provides a rapid, reliable and cost-effective solution for comprehensive pet food analysis. Its adaptability to lab, at-line and online formats supports robust quality assurance and process optimization.