Page 46 - PET worldwide issue 2/2021

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Methionine acts as a precursor for antioxidants as well as for

taurine. Dr Diana Siebert of Technical Marketing at CJ Europe
explains the background.

Historically the first commercially of Wisconsin. The authors evalu- the urine, which causes the acidi-
available sources of methionine ated the status of antioxidants fying effect.
were DL-methionine and its hydroxy (GSH, cysteine and ascorbate) in Palatability enhancement: in
analogue. Both methionine sources a group of client-owned dogs and a purified diet, cats prefer diets
are derived from non-renewable re- cats, which were either healthy or with methionine to diets without
sources through a chemical process clinically ill. They confirmed that methionine. Even though cats
and must be transformed to the nat- GSH depletion in ill dogs was cor- have no sweet taste receptors,
ural form (L-methionine) before being related with illness severity as well they prefer the taste of amino
utilised in the body (Fig 1). However, as mortality during hospitalisation. acids which are described as
in the meantime crystalline L-methio- The authors concluded that espe- “sweet” in humans, such as L-
nine became commercially available. cially critically ill dogs could benefit cysteine. Because of their benefi-
In contrast to DL-methionine and its from antioxidant therapy. The im- cial effect on pet food palatability,
hydroxy analogues, L-methionine is portance of balanced nutrition was sulphur-containing amino acids
produced in a fermentation process also demonstrated, however, be- are frequently found in palatants.
Dr Diana Siebert of Technical
Marketing at CJ Europe. using renewable raw materials like cause GSH depletion may be also
sugar. Moreover, L-methionine is al- connected to malnutrition. Prevention of uri-
ready in the natural form and can Acidifying effect of methio- nary stones
be directly used for effective utilisa- nine in urine to prevent struvite Methionine acts as a precursor for
tion in cells. stones: the highest prevalence antioxidants such as cysteine and
amongst the different urinary GSH as well as for taurine. Further-
Physiological roles stone types is that of struvite more, methionine plays a crucial
of methionine stones, which are composed of role in the prevention of urinary
Oxidative stress and antioxida- magnesium, ammonium, and stones. Additionally, sulphur-con-
tive function of methionine and phosphate. As part of non-inva- taining amino acids beneficially in-
its derivatives: the importance of sive, conservative therapy as fluence the palatability of pet food.
antioxidants such as cysteine and well as to prevent the recurrence L-methionine is the only product on
GSH – both derivatives from me- of struvite, the urine should be the market that is derived from a
thionine – was demonstrated in acidified. During the catabolism sustainable fermentation process
CJ Europe provides products and
solutions based on eco-friendly a clinical study from the School of methionine, sulphate and pro- and is present in the natural form
biotechnology. of Veterinary Medicine, University tons are formed and excreted in of methionine. n

46 PET worldwide 2|2021

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