Glucose oxidase (GOD) is exogenously produced by specific fungi fermentation to oxidise β-D-Glucose into gluconic acid and hydrogen peroxide, consuming large amounts of oxygen.
GOD helps to extend shelf life of wet pet food, preventing rancid and spoilage caused by oxidation and microbial activity. In pet’s gut, it creates an environment that is less favourable for the growth of aerobic microorganisms including mycotoxins. Apart from gluconic acid, the hydrogen peroxides production could directly kill some virus, pathogens, and parasites. Therefore, it is considered as a new natural preservative and antioxidant.
As early as 1962, GOD was found in honey to produce gluconic acid and hydrogen peroxide, demonstrating its reputed wound-healing and antiseptic properties. GOD has been defined in the Association of American Feed Control officials (AAFCO) list as 70.3 and is widely used in food and animal production. As a naturally derived enzyme, GOD can be marked as clean-label ingredient, which is increasingly popular with pet owners seeking natural preservatives in pet food products.
In general, adding 2000 U/kg dry matter or 200 g/MT dry matter GOD to pet food could be used as a preservative and antioxidant.
A study compiled by our Redox Animal Nutritionists.