How to Apply Liquid Palatant in Kibble: A Practical Guide for Pet Food Manufacturers

In dry pet food production, palatability plays a decisive role in product success. Even nutritionally balanced kibble may fail in the market if pets reject the taste.

One of the most effective solutions is the application of liquid palatant during post-extrusion coating. But how exactly should liquid palatant be applied in kibble production to ensure maximum flavor retention and uniformity?

This guide explains the practical process, dosage control, and key technical considerations.

1. What Is Liquid Palatant?

Liquid palatant is typically an enzymatically hydrolyzed animal protein solution designed to enhance aroma, umami taste, and surface palatability in pet food.

Compared to powder palatants, liquid systems provide:

• Better surface adhesion

• Faster aroma release

• More uniform coating distribution

• Higher palatability improvement at lower inclusion levels

• Liquid palatants are widely used in:

1. Dry dog food

2. Dry cat food

3. Extruded kibble

4. Baked pet treats

2. When Should Liquid Palatant Be Applied?

Liquid palatant should be applied after extrusion and drying, during the coating stage.

Standard Production Flow:

1. Mixing

2. Extrusion

3. Drying

4. Cooling

5. Oil spraying

6. Liquid palatant spraying
7. Powder palatant spraying

8. Final cooling & packaging

▲Applying liquid palatant before extrusion is not recommended, as high temperature and pressure can destroy volatile flavor compounds.

3. Application Methods for Liquid Palatant in Kibble

1️⃣ Drum Coating System (Most Common)

This is the most widely used industrial method.

• Kibble enters a rotating drum

• Oil is sprayed first

• Liquid palatant is sprayed afterward

• Continuous rotation ensures uniform coating

Advantages:

• Even distribution

• Controlled dosage

• Suitable for large-scale production

2️⃣ Vacuum Coating System (Premium Products)

Used for high-end or high-fat formulas.

• Kibble is placed in a sealed chamber

• Vacuum removes internal air

• Liquid palatant penetrates deeper into the kibble structure

Advantages:

• Higher absorption

• Stronger flavor retention

• Reduced surface stickiness

4. Recommended Dosage Levels

Dosage depends on formula type and palatant concentration.

Typical inclusion rate:

• 2.0% – 6.0% of finished kibble weight

For cat food, higher dosage is often required due to stronger flavor preference.

Important factors affecting dosage:

• Fat level in formula

• Protein source

• Target market (regional taste preference)

• Kibble size and surface area

5. Key Technical Considerations

Temperature Control

Kibble temperature during spraying should be below 60°C.
High surface temperature may accelerate aroma evaporation.

Spray Particle Size

Uniform atomization ensures even coverage.
Uneven spraying may cause:

• Localized strong smell

• Surface discoloration

• Palatability inconsistency

Stability After Retort (If Used for Semi-Moist Products)

For products undergoing high-temperature sterilization, flavor loss may occur. In such cases, heat-stable liquid palatant formulations are recommended.

6. Liquid vs Powder Palatant: Which Is Better for Kibble?

Many manufacturers combine both systems to optimize cost and performance.

7. Common Application Mistakes

• Applying before extrusion

• Overdosing to compensate low base formula palatability

• Poor drum mixing time control

• Using non-heat-stable formula for high-temperature processing

8. Conclusion

Proper application of liquid palatant in kibble production significantly improves product acceptance and repeat purchase rate.

The key lies in:

1. Post-extrusion surface spraying

2. Controlled dosage

3. Uniform coating

4. Selecting the right formulation for your process

For manufacturers looking to enhance dry dog or cat food palatability, optimizing the coating stage is often the most cost-effective improvement.