CA2569249C

CA2569249C - Processes for preparing plant matter extracts and pet food compositions

Info

Publication number: CA2569249C
Application number: CA2569249A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Stefan Patrick Massimino; Michael Griffin Hayek; George Roth
Original assignee: Iams Co; GeroTech Inc
Current assignee: Mars Inc; GeroTech Inc
Priority date: 2004-05-10
Filing date: 2005-05-05
Publication date: 2012-08-14
Anticipated expiration: 2025-05-05
Also published as: CA2569249A1

Abstract

Disclosed herein are processes for preparing a plant matter extract, as well as food compositions comprising such extracts. The plant matter is selected from avocado, alfalfa, fig, primrose, and mixtures thereof. The processes include providing plant matter selected from the group consisting of avocado, alfalfa, fig, primrose, and mixtures thereof; combining the plant matter with an aqueous solution and optionally with an enzyme, further optionally with heating, to provide a digested plant mixture; concentrating the digested plant mixture to enhance the concentration of carbohydrate therein. The processes for preparing food compositions further include combining the digested plant mixture with one or more food composition components.

Description

is.

PROCESSES FOR PREPARING
PLANT MATTER EXTRACTS AND PET FOOD COMPOSITIONS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to processes for preparing a plant extract, including processes for preparing pet food compositions containing such extracts. In certain embodiments, the extracts or pet food compositions prepared thereby may comprise a selected carbohydrate component, or a plant material selected from avocado, alfalfa, fig, primrose, and mixtures thereof BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Studies have indicated that restriction of caloric intake by food deprivation slows down certain undesirable cellular processes in laboratory animals, many associated with aging and age-related diseases.

In particular, caloric restriction has been shown to consistently extend the life span, delay onset and slow tumor progression, and retard physiologic aging in many systems. Indeed, research spanning more than sixty years has shown that caloric restriction is a nutritional intervention that consistently extends longevity in animals. See Weindruch and Walford, "The Retardation of Aging and Disease by Dietary Restriction," Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas (1988); Yu, "Modulation of Aging Processes by Dietary Restriction," Boca Raton: CRC Press (1994); and Fishbein, "Biological Effects of Dietary Restriction," Springer, New York (1991). These effects of caloric restriction on life span and tumorigenesis have been reported numerous times since the early studies of McKay.
See McKay et al., "The Effect of Retarded Growth Upon the Length of Lifespan and Upon Ultimate Body Size," J. Nutr., Vol. 10, pp. 63 - 79 (1935). Indeed, over the past two decades, a resurgence of interest in caloric restriction in gerontology has led to the general acceptance that this dietary manipulation slows physiologic aging in many systems. See Weindruch and Walford, "The Retardation of Aging and Disease by Dietary Restriction," Springfield, IL:
Charles C. Thomas (1988); Yu, "Modulation of Aging Processes by Dietary Restriction," Boca Raton: CRC Press (1994); and Fishbein, "Biological Effects of Dietary Restriction," Springer, New York (1991).

Reductions in fasting glucose and insulin levels are readily measured biornarkers of caloric restriction. Calorically restricted rodents exhibit lower fasting glucose and insulin levels, and the peak glucose and insulin levels reached during a glucose challenge are reduced in those on caloric restriction. See Kalant et aL, "Effect of Diet Restriction on Glucose Metabolism and Insulin

2 Repsonsiveness and Aging Rats," Mech. Aging Dev., Vol. 46, pp. 89 - 104 (1988). It is also known that hyperinsulinemia is a risk factor associated with several such disease processes, including heart disease and diabetes (Balkan and Eschwege, Diabetes Obes.
Metab. 1 (Suppl. 1):
S23 - 31, 1999). Reduced insulin levels and body temperature are two of the most reliable indicators of this altered metabolic profile (Masoro et al., J. Gerontol.
Biol. Sci. 47:B202-B208, 1992); Koizurni et al., J. Nutr. 117: 361- 367, 1987; Lane et al., Proc. Nat.
Acad. Sci. 93:4154 -4164,1996).

Components such as 2-deoxy-D-glucose have been described which block or inhibit certain aspects of carbohydrate metabolism and may therefore mimic the effects of caloric restriction (Rezek et al., L Nutr. 106:143 - 157, 1972; U.S. Patent Application Publication No.
2002/0035071). These components exert a number of physiological effects, including reduction of body weight, decrease in plasma insulin levels, reduction of body temperature, retardation of tumor formation and growth, and. elevation of circulating glucocorticoid hormone concentrations. (For a review we Roth et al., Ann. NY Acad. Sci. 928:305 - 315, 2001). These effects result from inhibition of carbohydrate metabolism.

However, the commercial utility of such components has been limited, particularly since commercial processes of preparing such components had yet been identified. The present inventors herein provide processes for preparation of compositions comprising a plant matter extract containing such a component. In particular, it has been found that the components herein may be processed from plant matter, and then optionally subjected to traditional food processing (such as, for example, extrusion or other such vigorous methods) without compromising the integrity of the component.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to processes for preparing a plant matter extract and, separately processes for preparing a food composition by providing plant matter.

The processes for preparing a plant matter extract comprise:
(a) providing plant matter selected from the group consisting of avocado, alfalfa, fig, primrose, and mixtures thereof;
(b) combining the plant matter with an aqueous solution and optionally with an enzyme, further optionally with heating, to provide a digested plant mixture;
and

3 (c) concentrating the digested plant mixture to enhance the concentration of carbohydrate therein.

The processes for preparing a food composition comprising a plant matter extract comprise:
(a) providing plant matter selected from the group consisting of avocado, alfalfa, fig, primrose, and mixtures thereof;
(b) combining the plant matter with an aqueous solution and optionally with an enzyme, further optionally with heating, to provide a digested plant mixture;
(c) concentrating the digested plant mixture to enhance the concentration of carbohydrate therein; and (d) combining the digested plant mixture with one or more food composition components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Various documents including, for example, publications and patents, are recited throughout this disclosure. The citation of any given document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention.

All percentages and ratios are calculated by weight unless otherwise indicated. All percentages and ratios are calculated based on the total composition unless otherwise indicated.

Referenced herein are trade names for components including various ingredients utilized in the present invention. The inventors herein do not intend to be limited by materials under a certain trade name. Equivalent materials (e.g., those obtained from a different source under a different name or reference number) to those referenced by trade name may be substituted and utilized in the descriptions herein.

In the description of the invention various embodiments or individual features are disclosed. As will be apparent to the ordinarily skilled practitioner, all combinations of such embodiments and features are possible and can result in preferred executions of the present invention.

The compositions herein may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of any of the features or embodiments as described herein.

4 While various embodiments and individual features of the present invention have been illustrated and described, various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. As will also be apparent, all combinations of the embodiments and features taught in the foregoing disclosure are possible and can result in preferred executions of the invention.

As used herein, the term "pet" means a domestic dog or cat.
Processes of the Present Invention The present invention is directed to processes for preparing a plant matter extract and, separately processes for preparing a food composition by providing plant matter. In one embodiment, the food composition is a pet food composition.

The processes for preparing a plant matter extract comprise:
(a) providing plant matter selected from the group consisting of avocado, alfalfa, fig, primrose, and mixtures thereof;
(b) combining the plant matter with an aqueous solution and optionally with an enzyme, further optionally with heating, to provide a digested plant mixture;
and (c) concentrating the digested plant mixture to enhance the concentration of carbohydrate therein.

The processes for preparing a food composition comprising a plant matter extract comprise:
(a) providing plant matter selected from the group consisting of avocado, alfalfa, fig, primrose, and mixtures thereof, (b) combining the plant matter with an aqueous solution and optionally with an enzyme, further optionally with heating, to provide a digested plant mixture;
(c) concentrating the digested plant mixture to enhance the concentration of carbohydrate therein; and (d) combining the digested plant mixture with one or more food composition components.

The plant matter provided in the various processes may be avocado, alfalfa, fig, primrose, and mixtures thereof. These plants are known to contain carbohydrate components such as 2-deoxy-D-glucose, 5-thio-D-glucose, 3-0-methylglucose, 1,5-anhydro-D-glucitoi, 2,5-anhydro-D-mannitol, or mannoheptulose. See e.g.. U.S. Patent Application Publication No.
2002/0035071. Processes resulting in extracts which have elevated concentrations of mannoheptulose are preferred herein.
Advantageously, the mannoheptulose or any other component may be present as a component of plant matter such as avocado, or other enriched source of mannoheptulose such as alfalfa, fig, or primrose.

The plant matter may be any portion or whole of the plant, such as the leaves, fruit, seed or pit, particularly at least those portions of the plant that contain elevated levels of carbohydrate component. The inclusion of one or more of these components as part of the extracts of food compositions herein are useful, for example, to alter utilization of glucose or other energy sources and to mimic metabolic effects of caloric restriction. Without intending to be limited by theory, the present use of glucose anti-metabolites to alter glucose metabolism serves to lower the metabolic rate through inhibition of glucose as an energy source on the cellular level. Judicious use of components that block the normal metabolism of cellular glucose can result in changes in physiological function that are similar to those arising from caloric restriction. Caloric restriction has been consistently shown to extend longevity in animals See Weindruch and Wilford, "The Retardation of Aging and Disease by Dietary Restriction," Springfield, IL:
Charles C. Thomas (1988); Yu, "Modulation of Aging Processes by Dietary Restriction," Boca Raton: CRC Press (1994); and Fishbein, "Biological Effects of Dietary Restriction," Springer, New York (1991).

The plant matter may include the fruit, seed (or pit), branches, leaves, or any other portion of the relevant plant or combination thereof. For example, in one embodiment herein, the avocado is provided, and the process may commence with whole or partial avocado fruit, including the pit or devoid (or partially devoid) of the pit If the plant matter which is provided contains a pit, or partial pit, the pit or portion thereof may be optionally removed prior to further processing. Alfalfa, fig, or primrose may be similarly processed.

Avocado (also commonly referred to as alligator pear, aguacate, or palta) contains unusually enriched sources of mannoheptulose, as well as related sugars and other carbohydrate components.
Avocado is a sub-tropical evergreen tree fruit, growing most successfully in areas of California, Florida, Hawaii, Guatemala, Mexico, the West Indies, South Africa, and Asia.

Species of avocado include, for example, Persea Americana and Persea nubigena, including all cultivars within these illustrative species. Cultivars may include `Anaheim,' `Bacon,' 'Creainhart,' `Duke,' 'Fuerte,' 'Ganter,' 'Gwen,' `Hass,' `Jim,' 'Lula,' `Lyon,' 'Mexicola,' 'Mexicola Grande,' 'Murrieta Green,' 'Natal,' 'Pinkerton,' 'Queen,' 'Puebla,' 'Reed,' 'Rincon,' 'Ryan,' 'Spinks,' `Tops Topa,' `Whitsell,' `Wertz,' and `Zutano.' The fruit of the avocado is particularly preferred for use herein, which may contain the pit or wherein the pit is removed or at least partially removed. Fruit from Persea Americana is particularly preferred for use herein, as well as fruit from cultivars which produce larger fruits (e.g., about 12 ounces or more when the fruit is mature), such as Anaheim, Creamhart, Fuerte, Hass, Lula, Lyon, Murrieta Green, Nabal, Queen, Puebla, Reed, Ryan, and Spinks.

Plant matter from alfalfa, fig, or primrose are also reported to provide relatively high levels of mannoheptulose. Alfalfa is also referred to as Medicago sativa. Fig, or Ficus carica (including Cluster fig or Sycamore fig, for example) may also be used, as well as primrose or Primula officinalis.

In one embodiment, production of a digested plant mixture comprises combination of the plant matter with an aqueous solution, such as water, to assist with maceration of the plant into manageable constituents. Optionally but preferably, an enzyme having cellulose or pectin activity, or any combination thereof (such as a celhrlase, hemicellulase, or pectinase) is included to assist with such maceration, including to assist with dissolution and release of carbohydrates via cell wall disruption. The utility of such an enzymatic treatment may be enhanced through heating during such maceration, such as from above ambient temperature to about 120 C, or to about 100 C, or from about 60 C to about 120 C, or from about 60 C to about 100 C.
Agitation is further preferably utilized, typically for up to about 24 hours, but dependent upon the batch under processing. In one embodiment, the pH is controlled such to preserve enzyme activity, often in the range of pH from about 4 to about 6, preferably in the range of pH from about

5 to about 6. As such, depending upon such factors as ripeness of plant matter, quality of process aqueous solution (such as water added for process, for example), and the like, amounts of acid or base may be desirable as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Optionally, to assist with deactivation of the enzymes present, heating may be increased at the time of, or after, initial heating and agitation to form the digested plant mixture. Water is optionally heated to processing temperatures prior to the addition of the plant matter.
Heat may be applied by a jacketed tank where low pressure steam is utilized.

The digested plant mixture may result in fractions which may be separated in accordance with common techniques. For example, fractions present in the digested plant mixture may be separated by filtration to provide the carbohydrate extract as the resulting filtrate, with the filter cake being discarded. Other methods may include, but not be limited to, gravimetric, centrifugal, other filtrations, or combinations thereof.

The carbohydrate extract may then be concentrated, optionally utilizing at least one concentration method selected from the group consisting of heating, vacuum drying, evaporation, refractance window drying, freeze drying, spray drying, any other useful technique, or any combination of the foregoing. In one embodiment, at least one technique such as refractance window drying is used.
Once concentrated, the carbohydrate extract may be utilized in the pet food compositions of the present invention. In one embodiment herein, the present processes result in preferred yields of mannoheptulose or other carbohydrate, or carbohydrate extract, based on the starting mass of the plant matter (e.g., avocado). In one embodiment, the yield of mannoheptulose present in the carbohydrate extract subsequent to concentration is less than about 20%, or from about 0.1% to about 10%, or from about 1% to about No, based on the starting mass of the plant matter. In another embodiment, the yield of the carbohydrate extract subsequent to concentration is less than about 30%, or from about 5% to about 25%, or from about 8% to about 20%, based on the starting mass of the plant matter. Of course, even higher yields may be desirable, and lower yields may also be acceptable.

Food compositions may be prepared in accordance with the present processes by further including combining the digested plant mixture with one or more food composition components. As used herein, the term "food composition" means a composition that is intended for ingestion by an animal, such as a human, or other animal (including a pet). For example, a pet food composition is a food composition that is intended for ingestion by a pet. Food compositions are widely known in the art. Pet food compositions may include, without limitation, nutritionally balanced compositions suitable for daily feed, as well as supplements (eg., treats) which may or may not be nutritionally balanced. As used herein, the term "nutritionally balanced," with reference to the pet food composition, means that the composition has known required nutrients to sustain life in proper amounts and proportion based on recommendations of recognized authorities in the field of pet nutrition.

In one embodiment herein, the inventive processes are utilized to prepare a food composition comprising a component selected from 2-deoxy-D-glucose; 5-thio-D-glucose; 3-0-methylglucose;
1,5-anhydro-D-glucitol; 2,5-anhydro-D-mannitol; mannoheptulose; and mixtures thereof. In a further embodiment, such component is present in the prepared composition at particular levels. In I 11, 1 particular, it has been found that relatively low levels, as well as relatively high doses of the component, while useful, may provide less than optimal efficacy for desired purposes. In particular, an optimal dose to the pet, on a daily basis, has been surprisingly discovered to be from about 1 mg/kg to about 15 mg/kg, more advantageously from about 2 mg/kg to about 10 mg/kg, even more advantageously from about 2 mg/kg to about S mg/kg, wherein (as will be commonly understood in the art) the "mg" refers to level of the component and the "kg"
refers to kilograms of the pet. In certain embodiments, this may translate to preparation of pet food compositions comprising less than about 5%, or less than about 2%, or from about 0.0001% to about 0.5% of the component, all by weight of the composition. The level of component may be determined by one of ordinary skill in the art based on a variety of factors, for example, the form of the pet food composition (e.g., whether a dry composition, semi-moist composition, wet composition, or supplement, or any other form or mixture thereof). The ordinarily skilled artisan will be able to utilize the preferred optimal doses, and use these to determine the optimal level of component within a given pet food composition.

Similarly, optimal levels of plant matter extract will of course be dependent upon level of efficacious component within such extract. Optimal extracts have been found herein which comprise from about 1% to about 99% of the component, alternatively from about 5% to about 75%
of the component, alternatively from about 10% to about 50% of the component, all by weight of the extract.

Food compositions will contain one or more food composition components, which will of course be widely known in the art.

For example, pet food compositions may advantageously include food composition components intended to supply necessary dietary requirements, as well as treats (e.g., dog biscuits) or other food supplements. Optionally, the composition herein may be a pet food composition such as a dry composition (for example, kibble), semi-moist composition, wet composition, or any mixture thereof Alternatively or additionally, the composition is a supplement, such as a gravy, drinking water, yogurt, powder, suspension, chew, treat (e.g., biscuits) or any other delivery form.

In one embodiment, the food compositions may comprise, on a dry matter basis, from about 10% to about 90% crude protein, alternatively from about 20% to about 50% crude protein, alternatively from about 20% to about 40% crude protein, by weight of the food composition, or alternatively from about 20% to about 35% crude protein. The crude protein material may comprise vegetable proteins such as soybean, cottonseed, and peanut, or animal proteins such as casein, albumin, and meat protein. Non-limiting examples of meat protein useful herein include a protein source selected from the group consisting of beef, pork, lamb, poultry, fish, vegetable, and mixtures thereof.

Furthermore, the compositions may comprise, on a dry matter basis, from about 5% to about 40%
fat, alternatively from about 10% to about 35% fat, by weight of the food composition.

The compositions of the present invention may further comprise a source of carbohydrate. Grains or cereals such as rice, com, milo, sorghum, barley, wheat, and the like are illustrative sources.

The compositions may also contain one or more other materials such as dried whey and other dairy by products.

EXAMPLES
The following examples are provided to illustrate the invention and are not intended to limit the scope thereof in any manner.

Example Avocado extract containing enhanced levels of mannoheptulose is prepared in accordance with the following process, and utilized in pet food compositions:

Whole avocado fruit (about 900 kilograms) is provided. The fruit is split and the pits are removed, either partially or wholly, providing about 225 kilograms of pitted avocado halves. The raw avocado is charged to a disintegrator, whereupon some agitation, water (about 3000 kilograms) and CELLUBRIX (commercially available from Novozymes A/S) (about 1 liter) is further charged.
The mixture is further agitated and concurrently heated to about 66 C. Upon completion of the charge, further CELLUBRIX (about 1 liter) is added, and the entire mixture is held under agitation for about 12 hours at a controlled pH of about 5.5. The temperature is then further increased to about 80 C and then held for at least about 2 hours. The resulting digested plant mixture is then filtered at 80 C to provide the carbohydrate extract as the filtrate. The carbohydrate extract is then evaporated in a simplified recirculation system at 80 C, under vacuum, to a provide the carbohydrate extract having about from about 10% to about 20% solids and a pH
of about 5.5. The extract is then further concentrated using a refractance window dryer to provide about 100 kilograms of the extract as a crystalline or powder (a yield of about 11%
carbohydrate extract, based on the starting mass of the whole avocado fruit, which is analyzed as a yield of about 4.5%
mannoheptulose, based on the starting mass of the whole avocado fruit). The extract may be used in the pet food compositions of the present invention.

Example 2 Two kibble compositions having the following components at the approximate indicated amounts are prepared using methods which are standard in the art, including extrusion, and are fed to cats as a daily feed:

Component Example 1A Example 1B
(Component Amount indicated as (Component Amount indicated as Wt'/o) Wt%) Extract of Avocado Prepared in 0.02 0.01 Accordance with Present Invention Chicken, Chicken By-product 44 47 Meal, and Fish Meal Chicken Fat 8 6 Beet Pulp 2 3 Salts 2.5 2 Vitamins and Minerals** 1 1 Minors 3.5 4 Grains Remainder Remainder (corn, sorghum) *Avocado may be substituted with other plant matter having enhanced mannoheptulose content.
**Vitamins and Minerals include: Vitamin B, beta-carotene and Vitamin A, Zinc Oxide, Ascorbic Acid, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B1i Niacin, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B6, Vitamin D3, Folic Acid.

Example 3 A beef-flavor gravy composition is prepared by combining the following components in a conventional manner:
Component Wt%
Extract of Avocado Prepared in Accordance with Present Invention 0.14 Chicken Fat 3.0 Spray-Dried Beef Particles and Broth 3.0 Xanthan Gum 0.5 Flax Seed 0.2 Vegetables 0.2 Vitamins** 0.06 Minerals 0.04 Phosphoric Acid 0.95 Beef Flavor 0.1 Water Remainder **Vitamins and Minerals include: Vitamin E, beta-carotene and Vitamin A, Zinc Oxide, Ascorbic Acid, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Vitamin B12, Vitamin BI, Niacin, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B6, Vitamin D3, Folic Acid.

One fluid ounce of the gravy composition is admixed with one-half cup of standard dog labble diet daily prior to feeding to a dog. Amounts of the gravy composition are determined as desired by the guardian of the dog.

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION FOR WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. A pet food composition comprising an extract of plant matter selected from the group consisting of avocado, alfalfa, fig, primrose, and mixtures thereof, wherein said pet food composition is nutritionally balanced and comprises less than about 5%, by weight of the composition, of a component selected from the group consisting of 2-deoxy-D-glucose; 5-thio-D-glucose; 3-O-methylglucose;
1,5-anhydro-D-glucitol; 2,5-anhydro-D-mannitol; mannoheptulose; and mixtures thereof, and wherein the pet food composition is selected from the group consisting of kibbles, semi-moist foods, moist foods, and mixtures thereof.

2. The pet food composition according to claim 1 wherein the extract is an avocado extract.

3. The pet food composition according to claim 2 comprising mannoheptulose.

4. The pet food composition according to claim 3 wherein at least a portion of the mannoheptulose is derived from the avocado extract.

5. The pet food composition according to claim 4 comprising less than about 2%

mannoheptulose, by weight of the composition.

6. The pet food composition according to claim 5 which is selected from the group consisting of dog food compositions and cat food compositions.

7. A pet food composition comprising an extract of plant matter selected from the group consisting of avocado, alfalfa, fig, primrose, and mixtures thereof, wherein said pet food composition is a supplement and comprises less than about 5%, by weight of the composition, a component selected from the group consisting of 2-deoxy-D-glucose; 5-thio-D-glucose; 3-O-methylglucose; 1,5-anhydro-D-glucitol;

2,5-anhydro-D-mannitol; mannoheptulose; and mixtures thereof, and wherein the supplement is selected from the group consisting of a gravy, drinking water, yogurt, chew, treat, biscuit, and mixtures thereof.

8. The pet food composition of claim 7 and wherein the supplement comprises less than about 5%, by weight of the composition, mannoheptulose.

9. The pet food composition of claim 8 and wherein the supplement is a gravy.

10. The pet food composition of claim 9 and wherein the gravy is admixed with a kibble.

11. The pet food composition of claim 10 and wherein the kibble is nutritionally balanced.

12. The pet food composition of claim 8 and wherein the supplement is a treat.

13. The pet food composition of claim 12 and wherein the treat is nutritionally balanced.

14. The pet food composition of claim 12 and wherein the treat is a biscuit.

15. The pet food composition of claim 8 and wherein the supplement comprises a source of a carbohydrate.

16. The pet food composition of claim 15 and wherein the source of a carbohydrate is a selected from the group consisting of rice, corn, milo, sorghum, barley, and combinations thereof.

17. The pet food composition of claim 8 and further comprising dried whey.

18. The pet food composition of claim 8 and further comprising dairy by-products.

19. The pet food composition of claim 8 and wherein the pet food composition comprises less than about 2% mannoheptulose.

20. The pet food composition of claim 8 and wherein the mannoheptulose is derived from avocado.

21. The pet food composition of claim 8 and further comprising fat.

22. The pet food composition of claim 8 and further comprising protein.

23. The pet food composition of claim 8 wherein the supplement is intended for ingestion by a domestic dog or cat.

24. A pet food composition comprising an extract of plant matter selected from the group consisting of avocado, alfalfa, fig, primrose, and mixtures thereof, wherein the composition provides, when fed on a daily basis, from about 1 mg/kg to about mg/kg of a component selected from the group consisting of 2-deoxy-D-glucose;

thio-D-glucose; 3-O-methylglucose; 1,5-anhydro-D-glucitol; 2,5-anhydro-D-mannitol; mannoheptulose; and mixtures thereof, wherein the pet food composition comprises a kibble, and/or a supplement selected from the group consisting of a gravy, drinking water, yogurt, chew, treat, biscuit, and mixtures thereof.

25. The pet food composition of claim 24 that provides, when fed on a daily basis, from about 1 mg/kg to about 15 mg/kg mannoheptulose.

26. The pet food composition of claim 25 and wherein the pet food composition provides when fed on a daily basis, from about 1 mg/kg to about 15 mg/kg mannoheptulose on a daily basis.

27. A pet food composition of claim 25 and wherein the pet food composition provides, on a daily basis, from about 2 mg/kg to about 10 mg/kg mannoheptulose.

28. A pet food composition of claim 25 and wherein the pet food composition provides, on a daily basis, from about 2 mg/kg to about 5 mg/kg.

29. The pet food composition of claim 25 and wherein the pet food composition is the supplement.

30. The pet food composition of claim 25 and wherein the pet food composition comprises the supplement.

31. The pet food composition of claim 30 and wherein the supplement is nutritionally balanced.

32. The pet food composition of claim 30 and wherein the supplement is a biscuit.

33. The pet food composition of claim 32 and wherein the biscuit is nutritionally balanced.

34. The pet food composition of claim 30 and wherein the pet food composition comprises a gravy.

35. The pet food composition of claim 34 wherein the gravy is admixed with a kibble.

36. The pet food composition of claim 35 and wherein the gravy comprises the mannoheptulose.

37. The pet food composition of claim 35 and wherein the kibble comprises the mannoheptulose.

38. The pet food composition of claim 30 wherein the pet food composition comprises a kibble.

39. The pet food composition of claim 38 and wherein the kibble is nutritionally balanced.

40. The pet food composition of claim 30 and wherein the pet food composition comprises less than about 5% mannoheptulose.

41. The pet food composition of claim 40 and wherein the pet food composition is nutritionally balanced.

42. The pet food composition of claim 1 or 7, further comprising vitamin E;
and beta carotene.

43. The pet food composition of claim 42 comprising mannoheptulose, vitamin E, and beta carotene.

44. The pet food composition of claim 43 and wherein the pet food composition is a kibble.

45. The pet food composition of claim 43 and wherein the pet food composition is nutritionally balanced.

46. The pet food composition of claim 42 and wherein the pet food composition is a gravy.

47. The pet food composition of claim 46 and wherein the pet food composition is mixed with kibbles.

48. The pet food composition of claim 42 and wherein the pet food composition comprises less than about 5% mannoheptulose.

49. The pet food composition of claim 42 and wherein said pet food composition is selected from the group consisting of a dry composition, a semi-moist composition, a wet composition, a supplement, and mixtures thereof.

50. The pet food composition of claim 42 and wherein the pet food composition is selected from the group consisting of a kibble, treat, biscuit, and a supplement.

51. The pet food composition of claim 42 and wherein the pet food composition comprises a supplement.

52. The pet food composition of claim 51 and wherein the supplement is selected from the group consisting of a gravy, drinking water, yogurt, chew, treat, biscuit, and mixtures thereof.

53. The pet food composition of claim 42 and wherein the pet food composition comprises less than about 2% mannoheptulose.

54. The pet food composition of claim 53 and wherein the pet food composition comprises a nutritionally balanced kibble.

55. The pet food composition of claim 53 and wherein the pet food composition comprises a supplement.

56. The pet food composition of claim 55 and wherein the supplement is selected from the group consisting of a gravy, drinking water, yogurt, chew, treat, biscuit, and mixtures thereof.

57. The pet food composition of claim 42 and further comprising from about 10%
to about 90%, on a dry matter basis, crude protein.

58. The pet food composition of claim 42 and further comprising a source of carbohydrates.

59. The pet food composition of claim 42 and further comprising a source of fat.

60. A pet food composition comprising mannoheptulose, vitamin E, and beta carotene.

61. The pet food composition of claim 60 and wherein the pet food composition is a nutritionally balanced kibble.

62. A composition comprising:
a) a pet food composition comprising an extract of plant matter selected from the group consisting of avocado, alfalfa, fig, primrose, and mixtures thereof, wherein the pet food composition comprises a component selected from the group consisting of 2-deoxy-D-glucose; 5-thio-D-glucose; 3-O-methylglucose; 1,5-anhydro-D-glucitol; 2,5-anhydro-D-mannitol; mannoheptulose; and mixtures thereof, wherein the pet food composition comprises a kibble, and/or a supplement selected from the group consisting of a gravy, drinking water, yogurt, chew, treat, biscuit, and mixtures thereof; and b) a nutritionally balanced pet food composition.

63. The composition of claim 62 and wherein the component comprises mannoheptulose.

64. The composition of claim 62 and wherein the pet food composition further comprises a source of carbohydrates.

65. The pet food composition of claim 62 and wherein the pet food composition comprises a supplement.

66. The pet food composition of claim 62 and wherein the pet food composition comprises a gravy.

67. The pet food composition of claim 62 and wherein the pet food composition comprises a kibble.

68. The pet food composition of claim 62 and wherein the pet food composition is nutritionally balanced.

69. A pet food composition comprising a component selected from the group consisting of 2-deoxy-D-glucose; 5-thio-D-glucose; 3-O-methylglucose; 1,5-anhydro-D-glucitol; 2,5-anhydro-D-mannitol; mannoheptulose; and mixtures thereof;
wherein the pet food composition further comprises a source of carbohydrates.

70. A pet food composition of claim 69 and wherein said component comprises mannoheptulose.

71. A pet food composition of claim 69 and wherein the composition further comprises plant matter comprising mannoheptulose.

72. The pet food composition of claim 71 and wherein said plant matter comprises avocado.

73. The pet food composition of claim 69 and wherein said pet food composition is selected from the group consisting of a dry composition, a semi-moist composition, a wet composition, a supplement, and mixtures thereof.

74. The pet food composition of claim 69 and wherein the pet food composition is selected from the group consisting of a kibble, treat, biscuit, and a supplement.

75. The pet food composition of claim 69 and wherein the source of carbohydrates comprises grains or cereals.

76. The pet food composition of claim 69 and wherein the component comprises less than about 5%, by weight of the composition.

77. The pet food composition of claim 69 and wherein the pet food composition comprises a supplement.

78. The pet food composition of claim 77 and wherein the supplement is selected from the group consisting of a gravy, drinking water, yogurt, chew, treat, biscuit, and mixtures thereof.

79. The pet food composition of claim 78 and wherein the pet food composition comprises a gravy.

80. The pet food composition of claim 79 wherein the gravy is admixed with a dog or cat food kibble.

81. The pet food composition of claim 69 and wherein the pet food composition comprises a kibble.

82. The pet food composition of claim 77 and wherein the pet food composition is nutritionally balanced.

83. The pet food composition of claim 69 and wherein the pet food composition comprises less than about 2% mannoheptulose.

84. The pet food composition of claim 77 and further comprising from about 10%
to about 90%, on a dry matter basis, crude protein.

85. The pet food composition of claim 84 and wherein the crude protein comprises animal protein and vegetable protein.

86. The pet food composition of claim 77 and further comprising fat.

87. The pet food composition of claim 77 and further comprising dried whey or dairy by-products.