Abstract:
Highly palatable, shelf-stable, moist, pasta-type extruded food products are provided which can be formulated as a human food (e.g., a confection) or as a pet food. The extruded products of the invention include a substantially completely gelatinized matrix including therein from about 35-70% by weight starch, dry basis, together with quantities of protein and sugar. The extruded products should have a moisture content of from about 15-30% by weight, and a water activity of from about 0.6-0.9. The products are made by forming a mixture of ingredients followed by preconditioning, extrusion and drying and/or cooling to achieve the final desired moisture.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention is broadly concerned with soft, moist pasta-type foods, and an extrusion method of producing the same, which can be formulated as a confection for human consumption, or as a pet food. More particularly, the invention pertains to shelf-stable pasta-type foods in the form of extruded bodies having a substantially completely gelatinized matrix (in practice the matrix is entirely gelatinized) including from about 35-70% by weight starch together with respective quantities of protein and sugar; the extruded feed has a moisture content of from about 15-30% by weight and a water activity of from about 0.6-0.9 ,in order to yield a soft, resilient product resembling conventional pasta. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Traditional pasta products are normally packaged and sold in a dried condition, necessitating rehydration and/or cooking before consumption. These products are simply not considered properly edible without such preliminary treatment. U.S. Pat. No. 5,059,439 describes an extrusion process for the production of instant or quick cooking pastas eminently suited for human consumption; nevertheless, pastas produced in accordance with this patent are normally dried to moisture contents on the order of 10-12% by weight. There has heretofore been no truly successful process for the production of soft, moist, pasta-type products which can be directly eaten without the necessity for rehydration or cooking, even though the nutritional, organoleptic and convenience advantages of such products are significant. 
     Dry and semi-dry pet foods are also conventionally produced using extrusion cooking technology. Generally, a starting mixture comprising ingredients such as soy and wheat flours, farinaceous products and meat and bone meal, is moisturized and fed through an extruder for more or less complete cooking of the ingredients and shaping thereof into a desired final form such as a kibble or chunk. In many cases, such extruded feeds may be fed alone, but it is also common to mix canned feed with the dry, extruded products to form a complete diet. 
     The nutritional benefits to humans of pasta products are well known, which in part accounts for the tremendous consumption of these foods. However, attempts to commercially prepare pasta-type pet food products have generally not been successful. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is predicated upon the discovery that pasta-type food products can be provided which have very desirable softness, edibility and moisture contents, rendering them suitable for direct consumption. Such products in accordance with the invention can be formulated either for human or animal consumption, e.g., as a sweetened confection or as a pet food designed to be fed alone or in combination with a kibble feed. 
     Broadly speaking, soft, moist pasta-type food products in accordance with the invention comprise bodies having an extruded, substantially completely gelatinized defining matrix including therein from about 35-70% by weight starch on a dry basis, together with respective quantities of protein and sugar. The sugar content can be derived from any naturally occurring sugar such as sucrose or fructose. The extruded bodies should have a moisture content of from about 15-30% by weight and a water activity of from about 0.6-0.9. The bodies are moreover manually deformable and have the property of resiliently returning to their original shape after such deformation. Finally, the bodies should have a bacteriological shelf stability of at least about nine months. 
     In preferred forms, the pasta-type food products of the invention can be extruded in a variety of shapes, such as tubular, helically twisted or string-like shapes. Furthermore, the defining matrix of the products preferably includes materials such as wheat flour, Semolina, cereal grain flours (e.g., rice, corn and oat), starches from any source, surfactant(s) and glycerine; advantageously, this matrix includes at least about 65% by weight wheat flour on a dry basis, in order to enhance the palatability of the products. The preferred water activity of the pasta-type foods should be from about 0.7-0.85, with the moisture content being from about 18-23% by weight. The products of the invention typically contain up to about 35% by weight sugar and up to about 25% by weight protein, both on a dry basis. However, the levels of use of these components are variable, depending upon the type of product desired. For example, in the case of a confection product, the levels of sugar would be relatively high, and typically on the order of about 18-25% by weight, dry basis; protein use in such confections would normally be from about 1-10% by weight, dry basis. In contrast, where a pet food is contemplated, the sugar levels would usually be lower, say from about 3-10% by weight, dry basis, whereas the protein content would be from about 4-10% by weight, dry basis, where the pasta-type pet food is to be mixed with a conventional kibble, or up to about 25% by weight protein, dry basis, where the pasta-type pet food is to be fed alone. 
     Where a pet food is being produced, the pH of the pasta-type feed would generally be in the range of from about 4.9-5.5. Furthermore, such pet products would typically be formulated in conjunction with a kibble or other variety of farinaceous-based pet food, so that the entire combined feed is nutritionally complete. Typically, important nutritional ingredients such as vitamins, trace minerals and calcium and phosphorus sources can more readily be added to farinaceous feeds, rather than the pasta-type products of the present invention. Additionally, emulsified meats can be added to the pet food formulas if desired, at levels of up to about 15% by weight. 
     The preferred method of producing the pasta-type food products of the invention involves the steps of first forming a mixture including therein from about 35-70% by weight starch on a dry basis, with respective quantities of protein and sugar. The starch content is normally provided as a fraction of wheat or other flour used in the formulation. Water is next added to the mixture and the latter is passed through an extruder presenting an elongated barrel having an axially rotatable auger with an endmost extrusion die. During passage through the extruder the moisturized mixture is subjected to increasing levels of temperature, pressure and shear in order to substantially completely gelatinize the starch fraction of the moisturized mixture and to form a body having the requisite moisture content of from about 15-30% by weight, and water activity from about 0.6-0.9. 
     Preferably, the initial moisturizing involves first passing the dry mixture through a preconditioning device wherein steam and/or water are added to the dry ingredients and the mixture is subjected to mixing. The moisturized mixture should be subjected to a maximum temperature of from about 100° to 212° F., and more preferably from about 190° to 210° F., in the preconditioner. The residence time of the ingredients in the preconditioner should moreover be from about 0.5 to 6 minutes, and more preferably from about 1.5 to 2.5 minutes. The moisture content of the mixture leaving the preconditioner should be from about 15 to 38% by weight and more preferably from about 23 to 30% by weight, moisture content wet basis (MCWB). 
     After preconditioning, the moisturized mixture is passed into and through the extruder and is subjected therein to maximum temperature in the range of from about 160° to 280° F., and more preferably from about 110° to 130° F. In addition, the moisturized mixture is subjected to maximum pressure during passage through the extruder in the range of from about 300 to 2000 psi, and more preferably from about 750 to 1200 psi. If desired, additional moisture may be added to the mixture in the form of water and/or steam, as the mixture is processed in the extruder barrel. Typically, the moisture content of the product as it emerges from the extruder is in the range of from about 16 to 38% by weight, and more preferably from about 22 to 27% by weight, MCWB. 
     In the most preferred processing technique, gaseous products and moisture are vented from the mixture during passage thereof along the length of the extruder barrel. This may advantageously be accomplished by subjecting the material to a vacuum (e.g., 5-20 in. Hg) midway between the ends of the extruder barrel. Furthermore, the extruder is operated so as to present a cooking zone, followed by a venting zone, and finally a forming zone leading to the final extrusion die. This configuration is very similar to that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,059,439, which is incorporated by reference herein. The effect of this configuration is to subject the moisturized mixture to the maximum temperature it will experience in the extruder just prior to the venting step, with a gradual decrease in temperature in the forming zone downstream of the vent. 
     The overall residence time of the moisturized mixture in the extruder is typically in the range of from about 0.5 to 2.5 minutes, and more preferably from about 0.75 to 1.5 minutes. In terms of the preferred cooking/venting/forming zone extruder configuration, the residence time in the cooking zone should be from about 0.15 to 1.25 minutes, more preferably from about 0.25 to 3 minutes; and in the forming zone from about 0.15 to 2 minutes, and more preferably from about 0.5 to 1 minutes. As the formed product emerges from the extruder, it would typically be cut to a convenient length using any conventional knife mechanism. Thereafter, the product would be dried and/or cooled to achieve the final desired moisture level. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As indicated above, the preferred extrusion apparatus useful for producing the pasta-type food products of the invention includes a preconditioner serially coupled with an extruder. The preconditioner is preferably of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,752,139 whereas the extruder is advantageously a Wenger TX series twin screw extruder as depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 4,875,847. Both of the aforementioned patents are incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     The following examples describe the production of representative pasta-type food products in accordance with the invention. It is to be understood that these examples are presented by way of illustration only, and nothing therein should be taken as a limitation upon the overall scope of the invention. 
     EXAMPLE 1 
     A series of dry, pasta-type formulas was prepared, moisturized and extruded in order to yield pet food products in accordance with the invention. These dry formulae are set forth below: 
     
                       TABLE 1______________________________________Ingredient          Pounds  % By Weight______________________________________FORMULA NO. 1Wisdom Wheat Flour  37.62   37.72Excello X-Fancy Durum               37.62   37.72Corn Gluten Meal    15.00   15.04Dried Egg           2.50    2.51Blood Plasma        2.50    2.51Dicalcium Phosphate 1.50    1.50Limestone           1.50    1.50Myvaplex Surfactant 0.75    0.75Salt                0.50    0.50Potassium Chloride  0.25    0.25FORMULA NO. 2Formula No. 1       50.00   83.33Emulsified Chicken or Beef               10.00   16.67FORMULA NO. 3Wisdom Wheat Flour  30.10   30.10Excello X-Fancy Durum               30.00   30.00Emulsified Chicken  15.00   15.00Corn Gluten Meal    15.00   15.00Dried Whole Egg     2.50    2.50Blood Plasma        2.50    2.50Dicalcium Phosphate 1.50    1.50Ground Limestone    1.50    1.50Morton&#39;s Lite Salt  0.50    0.50Regular Salt        0.25    0.25Lysine              0.20    0.20DL Methionine       0.10    0.10Choline Chloride    0.10    0.10Myvaplex Surfactant 0.75    0.75FORMULA NO. 4Wisdom Wheat Flour  30.10   30.10Excello X-Fancy Durum               30.00   30.00Beef                15.00   15.00Corn Gluten Meal    15.00   15.00Dried Whole Egg     2.50    2.50Blood Plasma        2.50    2.50Dicalcium Phosphate 1.50    1.50Ground Limestone    1.50    1.50Morton&#39;s Lite Salt  0.50    0.50Regular Salt        0.25    0.25Lysine              0.20    0.20DL Methionine       0.10    0.10Choline Chloride    0.10    0.10Myvaplex Surfactant 0.75    0.75FORMULA NO. 5Second Clear Wheat Flour               74.00   82.59Food Grade Glycerin 4.20    4.69Baker&#39;s Sugar       5.00    5.58Food Grade Phosphoric Acid               0.80    0.89Salt                0.30    0.33Potassium Sorbate   0.30    0.33Beef Tallow.sup.1   3.80    4.24Cheese Powder.sup.1 1.20    1.34FORMULA NO. 6Second Clear Wheat Flour               74.00   74.00Semolina            5.00    5.00Vital Wheat Gluten  2.50    2.50Myvaplex Surfactant 0.50    0.50Food Grade Propylene Glycol               4.20    4.20Baker&#39;s Sugar       5.00    5.00Food Grade Phosphoric Acid               0.80    0.80Salt                0.30    0.30Morton&#39;s Lite Salt  2.40    2.40Potassium Sorbate   0.30    0.30Beef Tallow.sup.1   3.80    3.80Cheese Powder.sup.1 1.20    1.20FORMULA NO. 7Second Clear Wheat Flour               74.00   74.00Semolina            5.00    5.00Vital Wheat Gluten  2.50    2.50Myvaplex Surfactant 0.50    0.50Food Grade Glycerine               4.20    4.20Corn Syrup          5.00    5.00Food Grade Phosphoric Acid               0.80    0.80Salt                0.30    0.30Morton&#39;s Lite Salt  2.40    2.40Potassium Sorbate   0.30    0.30Beef Tallow.sup.1   3.80    3.80Cheese Powder.sup.1 1.20    1.20FORMULA NO. 8Second Clear Wheat Flour               73.50   73.50Semolina            5.00    5.00Vital Wheat Gluten  2.50    2.50Myvaplex Surfactant 0.50    0.50Food Grade Glycerine               4.20    4.20Baker&#39;s Sugar       5.00    5.00Food Grade Phosphoric Acid               0.80    0.80Salt                0.30    0.30Morton&#39;s Lite Salt  2.40    2.40Potassium Sorbate   0.30    0.30Tomato Powder       0.50    0.50Beef Tallow.sup.1   3.80    3.80Cheese Powder.sup.1 1.20    1.20FORMULA NO. 9Second Clear Wheat Flour               77.90   69.80Food Grade Glycerine               4.69    4.20Baker&#39;s Sugar       5.58    5.00Food Grade Phosphoric Acid               0.89    0.80Salt                0.33    0.30Potassium Sorbate   0.33    0.30HF Nutrisoy         5.58    5.00Beef Tallow.sup.1   3.35    3.00Cheese Powder.sup.1 1.34    1.20FORMULA NO. 10Second Clear Wheat Flour               69.80   69.80Semolina            5.00    5.00Vital Wheat Gluten  2.50    2.50Myvaplex Surfactant 0.50    0.50Food Grade Glycerine               4.20    4.20Baker&#39;s Sugar       5.00    5.00Food Grade Phosphoric Acid               0.80    0.80Salt                0.30    0.30Morton&#39;s Lite Salt  2.40    2.40Potassium Sorbate   0.30    0.30Taste NS 220T       5.00    5.00Beef Tallow.sup.1   3.00    3.00Cheese Powder.sup.1 1.20    1.20______________________________________ .sup.1 These ingredients were applied to the products after extrusion and did not form a part of the extruded mixtures. 
    
     In each case, a dry formula as specified above was fed to a Wenger Model MDL 1 DC preconditioner, Configuration No. 144 (also referred to as a mixing cylinder) where steam and water were injected into the dry ingredients during agitation. This pretreatment served to moisturize and partially cook the raw ingredients. 
     After preconditioning, the mixture was fed to the inlet of a Wenger Model TX-52 twin screw extruder having a total of 9 heads (inlet head, Wenger Part No. 55316-001; heads 2-5 and 7-8, Wenger Part No. 55307-001; head 6, Wenger Part No. 55343-003; and head 9, Wenger Part No. 55319-001), with the 6th head being vented. The screws were each made up of interconnected Wenger screw components from the inlet to the outlet end of the screws, namely: Wenger Parts Nos. 55326-103, 55325-003, 55325-003, 55325-003, 55325-101, 55324-101R, 55324-103R, 55324-105R, 55325-003, 55325-003, 55324-101R 55324-103R, 55324-105R, 55325-003, 55325-003, 55324-101R, 55324-103R, 55324-105R, 55325-003, 55325-003, 55325-003, 55325-003, 55325 -003, 55325-003, and 55321-005. A die spacer (Wenger Part No. 55398-001) was used between the end of the barrel and the die plate, with the latter having openings designed to yield a ziti product. The die plate was manufactured by Moldari Brothers of Brooklyn, N.Y. 
     In the extruder, the mixture was subjected to increasing temperatures and pressures, until the 6th vented head was reached, whereupon moisture was vented. In the portion of the extruder downstream of the vent, the temperature was lower than immediately prior to the vent. 
     The extruder heads were externally jacketed, and heat exchange media, i.e., cold water (CW), or hot oil (HO) was circulated through the heads for temperature control purposes. In addition, water and steam were injected into the barrel at head 2 to increase the moisture content of the material being processed. As the cooked material emerged from the ziti die, it was severed to create short pasta-type pieces having a length of about 3/8-1/2&#34;. The extruded product was then subjected to a drying/cooling sequence to complete the process. 
     The preconditioning, extrusion and drying/cooling conditions recorded during these runs are set forth below, where PPM refers to pounds per minute, PPH refers to pounds per hour and MCWB refers to moisture content, wet basis. 
     
                                           TABLE 2__________________________________________________________________________              MCWB/%                    RUN  RUN  RUN  RUN  RUNRaw Material Moisture              by wt.                    # 1  #2   #3   #4   #5__________________________________________________________________________Raw Material Rate  PPH   150  150  150  150  150Feed Screw Speed   RPM   13   13   13   14   15Mixing Cylinder Speed              RPM   110  110  110  110  110Steam Flow to Preconditioner              PPM   0.935                         0.935                              0.928                                   0.865                                        0.858Water Flow to Preconditioner              PPM   0.353                         0.353                              0.353                                   0.353                                        0.353Preconditioner Temperature              °F.                    210  210  210  210  210Moisture Entering Extruder              MCWB/%                    29.25                         23.21                              27.55                                   27.61                                        26.42              by wt.EXTRUSION INFORMATION:Extruder Shaft Speed              RPM   160  160  160  160  160Motor Load         %     23   25   26   26   31Steam Flow to Extruder              PPM   0.323                         0.209                              0.352                                   0.268                                        0.301Water Flow to Extruder              PPM   0.015                         0.015                              0.137                                   0.049                                        0.049Moisture in the Extruder              MCWB/%                    --   --   --   --   --              by wt.Control/Temperature-2nd Head              °F.                    CW/136                         CW/136                              CW/147                                   CW/138                                        CW/147Control/Temperature-3rd Head              °F.                    CW/136                         CW/136                              CW/147                                   CW/138                                        CW/147Control/Temperature-4th Head              °F.                    HO/230                         HO/230                              HO/230                                   HO/230                                        HO/230Control/Temperature-5th Head              ° F.                    HO/230                         HO/230                              HO/230                                   HO/230                                        HO/230Control/Temperature-6th Head              °F.                    HO/230                         HO/230                              HO/230                                   HO/230                                        HO/230Control/Temperature-7th Head              °F.                    CW/174                         CW/158                              CW/185                                   CW/176                                        CW/176Control/Temperature-8th Head              °F.                    CW/174                         CW/158                              CW/185                                   CW/176                                        CW/176Control/Temperature-9th Head              °F.                    CW/174                         CW/158                              CW/185                                   CW/176                                        CW/176Temperature, Die   °F.                    181  174  172  178  174Head/Pressure, 7th Head              PSIG  0    0    100  50   50Head/Pressure, 8th Head              PSIG  350  400  400  500  600Head/Pressure, 9th Head              PSIG  650  800  700  1000 1200Die/Pressure       PSIG  300  320  360  400  470Extrudate Rate (Wet)              --    --   --   --   --   --Extrudate Moisture MCWB/%                    34.32                         34.04                              --   31.95                                        31.39              by wt.DRYING CONDITIONS:Temperature Setting-Zone 1              °F.                    100  80   80   80   80Retention Time-First Pass              Min.  5.0  5.0  5.0  5.0  5.0Retention Time-Second Pass              Min.  7.0  7.0  7.0  7.0  7.0Retention Time-Third Pass              Min.  3.5  3.5  3.5  3.5  3.5FINAL PRODUCT INFORMATION:Extrudate Moisture MCWB/%                    26.23                         26.82                              21.64                                   26.06                                        24.74              by wt.Formula Number           5    9    10   6    7__________________________________________________________________________              MCWB/%                    RUN  RUN   RUN RUN  RUNRaw Material Moisture              by wt.                    #6   #7   #8   #9   #10__________________________________________________________________________Raw Material Rate  PPH   150  150  --   180  180Feed Screw Speed   RPM   14   15   0    18   18Mixing Cylinder Speed              RPM   110  111  0    112  112Steam Flow to Preconditioner              PPM   0.832                         0.807                              0.000                                   0.917                                        0.917Water Flow to Preconditioner              PPM   0.353                         0.353                              0.000                                   0.353                                        0.353Preconditioner Temperature              °F.                    210  210  --   210  210Moisture Entering Extruder              MCWB/%                    26.34                         23.20                              31.00                                   31.50                                        32.30              by wt.EXTRUSION INFORMATION:Extruder Shaft Speed              RPM   160  170  0    175  175Motor Load         %     32   25   --   23   23Steam Flow to Extruder              PPM   0.282                         0.436                              --   0.308                                        0.293Water Flow to Extruder              PPM   0.049                         0.304                              --   0.000                                        0.000Moisture in the Extruder              MCWB/%                    --   --   --   37.17                                        --              by wt.Control/Temperature-2nd Head              °F.                    CW/145                         122  --   CW/135                                        CW/149Control/Temperature-3rd Head              °F.                    CW/145                         122  --   CW/135                                        CW/149Control/Temperature-4th Head              °F.                    HO/230                         230  --   CW/230                                        HO/230Control/Temperature-5th Head              ° F.                    HO/230                         230  --   HO/230                                        HO/230Control/Temperature-6th Head              °F.                    HO/230                         230  --   HO/230                                        HO/230Control/Temperature-7th Head              °F.                    CW/176                         176  --   HO/176                                        CW/176Control/Temperature-8th Head              °F.                    CW/176                         176  --   CW/176                                        CW/176Control/Temperature-9th Head              °F.                    CW/176                         176  --   CW/176                                        CW/176Temperature, Die   °F.                    176  --   --   178  178Head/Pressure, 7th Head              PSIG  50   --   --   300  300Head/Pressure, 8th Head              PSIG  550  300  --   400  400Head/Pressure, 9th Head              PSIG  1100 700  --   900  1000Die/Pressure       PSIG  500  420  --   510  570Extrudate Rate (Wet)              --    --   --   --   220.75                                        --Extrudate Moisture MCWB/%                    36.11                         35.50                              41.00                                   36.40                                        36.20              by wt.DRYING CONDITIONS:Temperature Setting-Zone 1              °F.                    80   170  170  170  170Retention Time-First Pass              Min.  5.0  20.0 20.0 20.0 20.0Retention Time-Second Pass              Min.  7.0  20.0 20.0 20.0 20.0Retention Time-Third Pass              Min.  3.5  10.0 10.0 10.0 10.0FINAL PRODUCT INFORMATION:Extrudate Moisture MCWB/%                    30.56                         --   --   --   --              by wt.Formula Number           8    1    2    3    4__________________________________________________________________________ 
    
     The final products of these runs were all soft, moist, shelf-stable, pasta-type products admirably suited for use in pet foods. 
     EXAMPLE 2 
     In this series of tests, a dry, pasta-type formula was first prepared, and then moisturized and extruded. The dry formula is set forth below: 
     
                       TABLE 3______________________________________Ingredient          Pounds  % By Weight______________________________________Second Clear Wheat Flour               222     77.57Semolina            15      5.24Vital Wheat Gluten  7.05    2.62Myvaplex Surfactant 1.50    0.52Food Grade Glycerine               12.60   4.40Corn Syrup          15      5.24Food Grade Phosphoric Acid               2.40    0.84Salt                4.50    1.57KCl                 3.60    1.26Tomato Solids       1.20    0.42Potassium Sorbate   0.90    0.31______________________________________ 
    
     The dry formula was fed to the same preconditioner/extruder apparatus described in Example 1 in order to precondition, heat and essentially completely gelatinize the formula to produce a ziti pasta-type product, which was cut as it emerged from the extruder. Thereafter, the product was partially dried to produce a soft, moist, resilient product. The following data was collected during these runs. 
     
                                           TABLE 4__________________________________________________________________________                    RUN #11                          RUN #12                                 RUN #13                                       RUN #14                                              RUN #15                                                    RUN__________________________________________________________________________                                                    #16Raw Material Rate  PPH   165.0 165.0  165.0 165.0  165.0 165.0Feed Screw Speed   RPM   15    15     15    15     15    15Mixing Cylinder Speed              RPM   110   110    110   110    110   110Steam Flow to Preconditioner              PPM   0.917 0.917  0.935 0.935  0.935 0.920Water Flow to Preconditioner              PPM   0.364 0.364  0.364 0.364  0.364 0.364Preconditioner Temperature              °F.                    210   210    210   210    210   210Moisture Entering Extruder              MCWB/%                    28.27 28.80  --    --     --    --              by wt.EXTRUSION INFORMATION:Extruder Shaft Speed              RPM   162   162    161   161    161   161Motor Load         %     23    23     23    28     23    24Steam Flow to Extruder              PPM   0.370 0.143  0.250 0.250  0.238 0.249Water Flow to Extruder              PPM   .062  .049   .049  .049   .049  .049Control/Temperature-2nd Head              °F.                    CW/122                          CW/127 CW/124                                       CW/124 CW/124                                                    CW/124Control/Temperature-3rd Head              °F.                    CW/122                          CW/127 CW/124                                       CW/124 CW/124                                                    CW/124Control/Temperature-4th Head              °F.                    HO/230                          HO/230 HO/230                                       HO/230 HO/230                                                    HO/230Control/Temperature-5th Head              °F.                    HO/230                          HO/230 HO/230                                       HO/230 HO/230                                                    HO/230Control/Temperature-6th Head              °F.                    HO/230                          HO/230 HO/230                                       HO/230 HO/230                                                    HO/230Control/Temperature-7th Head              °F.                    CW/194                          CW/158 CW/176                                       CW/176 CW/176                                                    CW/176control/Temperature-8th Head              °F.                    CW/194                          CW/158 CW/176                                       CW/176 CW/176                                                    CW/176Control/Temperature-9th Head              °F.                    CW/194                          CW/158 CW/176                                       CW/176 CW/176                                                    CW/176Temperature, Die   °F.                    181   178    178   174    178   185Head/Pressure, 7th Head              PSIG  100   --     --    --     100   --Head/Pressure, 8th Head              PSIG  400   330    500   500    450   500Head/Pressure, 9th Head              PSIG  700   723    900   1000   800   850Die/Pressure       PSIG  320   280    325   370    320   250Extrudate Moisture MCWB/%                    33.29 32.21  --    28.12  30.13 --              by wt.DRYING CONDITIONS:Temperature Setting-Zone 1              °F.                    77    77     90    93     80    78Retention Time-First Pass              Min.  7.1   7.1    7.1   7.1    7.1   7.1Retention Time-Second Pass              Min.  13.3  13.3   13.3  13.3   13.3  13.3Retention Time-Cooler              Min.  6.7   6.7    6.7   6.7    6.7   6.7FINAL PRODUCT INFORMATION:Extrudate Moisture MCWB/%                    23.68 25.57  19.51 18.66  29.72 30.07              by wt.__________________________________________________________________________ 
    
     EXAMPLE 3 
     A further series of test runs was conducted, making use of a dry formula consisting of the following. 
     
                       TABLE 5______________________________________Ingredient          Pounds  % By Weight______________________________________Second Clear Wheat Flour               220.05  73.35Fructose            30.00   10.00Semolina            15.00   5.00Vital Wheat Gluten  7.50    2.50Myvaplex Surfactant 1.50    0.50Food Grade Glycerine               13.20   4.40Food Grade Phosphoric Acid               2.55    0.85Salt                4.50    1.50Potassium Chloride  3.60    1.20Tomato Solids       1.20    0.40Potassium Sorbate   0.90    0.30______________________________________ 
    
     The formula was preconditioned, extruded and dried using the exact same equipment described in Examples 1 and 2, wherein the 6th head of the extruder was vented. 
     The results from this test series are set forth below. 
     
                                           TABLE 6__________________________________________________________________________                    RUN #17                           RUN #18                                 RUN #19                                       RUN #20                                              RUN #21                                                    RUN__________________________________________________________________________                                                    #22Feed Screw Speed    RPM  15     17    20    20     20    20Mixing Cylinder Speed               RPM  110    110   110   110    110   110Steam Flow to Preconditioner               PPM  0.843  0.843 0.843 0.843  0.843 0.843Water Flow to Preconditioner               PPM  0.353  0.353 0.353 0.353  0.353 0.353Preconditioner Temperature               °F.                    210    210   210   210    210   210Moisture Entering Extruder               MCWB/                    --     25.04 24.87 --     --    --               % by wt.EXTRUSION INFORMATION:Extruder Shaft Speed               RPM  159    170   177   177    179   179Motor Load          %    20     21    25    23     22    25Steam Flow to Extruder               PPM  0.227  0.220 0.220 --     0.224 0.224Water Flow to Extruder               PPM  .137   .137  .137  .137   .137  .137Control/Temperature-2nd Head               °F.                    CW/122 CW/126                                 CW/149                                       CW/149 CW/145                                                    CW/145Control/Temperature-3rd Head               °F.                    CW/122 CW/126                                 CW/149                                       CW/149 CW/145                                                    CW/145Control/Temperature-4th Head               °F.                    HO/212 HO/212                                 HO/212                                       HO/212 HO/212                                                    HO/212Control/Temperature-5th Head               °F.                    HO/212 HO/212                                 HO/212                                       HO/212 HO/212                                                    HO/212Control/Temperature-6th Head               °F.                    HO/212 HO/212                                 HO/212                                       HO/212 HO/212                                                    HO/212Control/Temperature-7th Head               °F.                    CW/196 CW/194                                 CW/176                                       CW/176 CW/176                                                    CW/176Control/Temperature-8th Head               °F.                    CW/196 CW/194                                 CW/176                                       CW/176 CW/176                                                    CW/176Control/Temperature-9th Head               °F.                    CW/194 CW/194                                 CW/176                                       CW/176 CW/176                                                    CW/176Temperature, Die    °F.                    178    183   189   189    189   185Head/Pressure, 7th Head               PSIG --     50    300   300    300   200Head/Pressure, 8th Head               PSIG 350    400   450   450    400   450Head/Pressure, 9th Head               PSIG 550    700   280   750    700   800Die/Pressure        PSIG 220    260   280   260    260   270Extrudate Moisture  MCWB/                    --     27.49 24.71 26.44  25.32 24.18               % by wt.DRYING CONDITIONS:Temperature Setting-Zone 1               °F.                    125    125   125   125    125   125Retention Time-First Pass               Min. 5.6    5.6   5.6   5.6    5.6   5.6Retention Time-Second Pass               Min. 7.1    7.1   7.1   7.1    7.1   7.1Retention Time-Cooler               Min. 3.6    3.6   3.6   3.6    3.6   3.6FINAL PRODUCT INFORMATION:Extrudate Moisture  MCWB/                    21.50  18.70 19.00 19.10  18.80 18.30               % by wt.__________________________________________________________________________ 
    
     EXAMPLE 3 
     A series of soft, moist, pasta-type confection products suitable for human consumption were prepared using equipment identical to that described in Example 1. The dry formulas employed in these runs are set forth below: 
     
                       TABLE 7______________________________________                            % ByIngredient              Pounds   Weight______________________________________FORMULA NO. 1HRRW-Wisdom.sup.1       70.00    69.95Sugar (Confectioners)   20.00    19.99Glycerine               5.00     5.00Light Salt              1.00     1.00Citric Acid             2.00     2.00Myvaplex 600            0.75     0.75Phosphoric Acid (75%)   0.40     0.40Potassium Sorbate       0.30     0.30#6 Yellow Color         0.02     0.01Natural Lemonade Flavor-WONF 264292.sup.2                   0.60     0.60FORMULA NO. 2HRRW-Wisdom             70.00    70.11Sugar (Confectioners)   20.00    20.03Glycerine               5.00     5.01Light Salt              1.00     1.00Citric Acid             2.00     2.00Myvaplex 600            0.75     0.75Phosphoric Acid (75%)   0.40     0.40Potassium Sorbate       0.30     0.30Raspberry Flavor.sup.2, 3                   0.38     0.38#40 Red Coloring        0.03     0.03______________________________________ .sup.1 Hard red winter wheat .sup.2 The flavorings used were pumped into the extruder downstream of th vent in order to minimize loss of the flavoring by vaporization .sup.3 Artificial raspberry concentrate (BeckflavorC-6327) diluted to for a 6.25% solution. 
    
     The ingredients of the respective formulas (except the flavoring components and citric acid) were mixed and fed to the preconditioner/extruder apparatus in order to precondition, heat and gelatinize the formula to produce the final pasta-type confectionery products. After the extruded products were formed, they were sprayed with a mixture of citric acid and water, in order to lower the surface pH and thereby retard spoilage thereof. Products made using formula 1 had a ziti configuration, whereas the product made using formula 2 had a rotini shape. 
     The following data was collected during these runs. 
     
                                           TABLE 8__________________________________________________________________________                       RUN   RUN                       #23   #24__________________________________________________________________________Feed Screw Speed    RPM     12    14Mixing Cylinder Speed               RPM     110   110Steam Flow to Preconditioner               PPM     0.693 0.935Water Flow to Preconditioner               PPM     0.353 0.353Preconditioner Temperature               °F.                       210   210Moisture Entering Extruder               MCWB/%  --    21.60               by wt.EXTRUSION INFORMATION:Extruder Shaft Speed               RPM     190   177Motor Load          %       26    35Steam Flow to Extruder               PPM     0.231 0.246Water Flow to Extruder               PPM     0.049 0.0Control/Temperature-2nd Head               °F.                       CW/135                             CW/133Control/Temperature-3rd Head               °F.                       CW/135                             CW/133Control/Temperature-4th Head               °F.                       HO/230                             HO/230Control/Temperature-5th Head               °F.                       HO/230                             HO/230Control/Temperature-6th Head               °F.                       HO/230                             HO/230Control/Temperature-7th Head               °F.                       CW/194                             CW/194Control/Temperature-8th Head               °F.                       CW/194                             CW/194Control/Temperature-9th Head               °F.                       CW/194                             CW/194Temperature, Die    °F.                       183   172Head/Pressure, 7th Head               PSIG    --    400Head/Pressure, 8th Head               PSIG    400   600Head/Pressure, 9th Head               PSIG    800   1100Die/Pressure        PSIG    300   250Extrudate Moisture  MCWB/%  --    22.26               by wt.DRYING CONDITIONS:Temperature Setting-Zone 1               °F.                       75    75Retention Time-First Pass               Min.    7.4   7.4Retention Time-Second Pass               Min.    7.0   7.0Retetnion Time-Cooler               Min.    3.0   3.0FINAL PRODUCT INFORMATION:Extrudate Moisture  MCWB/%  --    22.26               by wt.__________________________________________________________________________ 
    
     In run #23, the lemonade flavor was diluted to a 16% solution and injected into the extruder downstream of the vent at a rate of 0.1 lb/min. In run #24, the raspberry flavor was similarly injected into the extruder at the same rate and at a level of 0.375% (concentrate percentage level). As indicated above, a dilute solution of citric acid was sprayed on the extrudates after drying thereof. 
     The final confectionery products were soft and moist and had a pleasing texture and flavor. They were in every way suited for direct human consumption. 
     EXAMPLE 4 
     In this series of runs, a number of pet food products were produced using a Wenger Model TX-52 extruder with preconditioner, having the configuration described in Example 1. The dry formulae used are set forth below: 
     
                       TABLE 9______________________________________     Run  Run    Run    Run  Run  Run  Run     #25  #26    #27    #28  #29  #30  #31______________________________________2nd Clear Flour       73.75  70.30  68.75                          70.65                               72.75                                    72.25                                         69.75Fructose    10.00  12.50  15.00                          10.00                               10.00                                    10.00                                         10.00Semolina    5.00   5.00   5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00Glycerin    4.40   5.00   4.40 7.50 4.40 4.40 4.40Vital Wheat Gluten       2.50   2.50   2.50 2.50 2.50 2.50 2.50Salt        1.50   1.60   1.50 2.50 1.50 1.50 1.50KCl         1.20   1.40   1.20 1.20 1.20 1.20 1.20Phosphoric Acid       0.85   0.90   0.85 0.85 0.85 0.85 0.85Potassium Sorbate       0.30   0.30   0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30Myvaplex    0.50   0.50   0.50 0.50 1.50 --   0.50UNL Additive.sup.1       --     --     --   --   --   2.00 --Guar Gum    --     --     --   --   --   --   4.00______________________________________ 
    
     The preconditioning, extrusion and drying/cooling conditions are set forth below: 
     
                                           TABLE 10__________________________________________________________________________                      RUN #25                           RUN #26                                RUN #27                                     RUN #28                                           RUN #29                                                RUN                                                     RUN__________________________________________________________________________                                                     #31RAW MATERIAL INFORMATION:Raw Material Rate    PPH   150  150  150  150   150  150  150Feed Screw Speed     RPM   15   15   15   15    15   15   15Mixing Cylinder Speed                RPM   110  110  110  110   110  110  110Steam Flow to Mixing Cylinder                PPM   0.880                           0.880                                0.620                                     0.616 0.910                                                0.910                                                     0.891Water Flow to Mixing Cylinder                PPM   0.227                           0.227                                0.227                                     0.247 0.247                                                0.247                                                     0.247Mixing Cylinder Temperaute                °F.                      210  210  210  185   210  210  210Moisture Entering Extruder                MCWB/%                      29.37                           27.36                                25.22                                     29.84 27.83                                                26.41                                                     --                by wt.EXTRUSION INFORMATION:Extruder Shaft Speed RPM   169  169  169  170   170  180  168Motor Load           %     19   17   17   17    15   16   21Steam Flow to Extruder                PPM   0.301                           0.301                                0.110                                     0.132 0.380                                                0.380                                                     0.385Control/Temperature-2nd Head                °F.                      CW/122                           CW/122                                CW/122                                     CW/122                                           CW/122                                                CW/122                                                     CW/153Control/Temeprature-3rd Head                °F.                      CW/122                           CW/122                                CW/122                                     CW/122                                           CW/122                                                CW/122                                                     CW/153Control/Temperature-4th Head                °F.                      HO/212                           HO/212                                HO/212                                     HO/212                                           HO/212                                                HO/212                                                     HO/212Control/Temperature-5th Head                °F.                      HO/212                           HO/212                                HO/212                                     HO/212                                           HO/212                                                HO/212                                                     HO/212Control/Temeprature-6th Head                °F.                      HO/212                           HO/212                                HO/212                                     HO/212                                           HO/212                                                HO/212                                                     HO/212Control/Temperature-7th Head                °F.                      CW/194                           CW/194                                CW/198                                     CW/196                                           CW/196                                                CW/196                                                     CW/194Control/Temperature-8th Head                °F.                      CW/194                           CW/194                                CW/198                                     CW/194                                           CW/194                                                CW/194                                                     CW/194Control/Temeprature-9th Head                °F.                      CW/194                           CW/194                                CW/194                                     CW/194                                           CW/194                                                CW/194                                                     CW/194Temperature, Die     °F.                      169  169  171  --    171  169  --Head/Pressure, 8th Head                PSIG  450  350  350  400   300  300  500Head/Pressure, 9th Head                PSIG  650  550  550  500   500  500  --Die/Pressure         PSIG  240  210  210  400   180  180  --Extrudate Moisture   MCWB/%                      28.47                           26.59                                23.46                                     24.71 25.57                                                19.96                                                     24.77                bt wt.DRYING CONDITIONS:Temperature Setting-Zone 1                °F.                      125  125  125  125   125  125  125Retention Time-First Pass                Min.  5.0  5.0  5.0  5.0   5.0  5.0  5.0Retention Time-Second Pass                Min.  5.0  5.0  5.0  5.0   5.0  5.0  5.0Retention Time-Cooler                Min.  2.5  2.5  2.5  2.5   2.5  2.5  2.5FINAL PRODUCT INFORMATION:Extrudate Moisture   MCWB/%                      14.57                           15.72                                15.11                                     14.12 14.14                                                18.24                                                     13.38                by wt.__________________________________________________________________________ 
    
     Certain of the products described above were tested using an Instron Universal Testing Machine set up to perform a double compression on each sample using a 102 kg load cell. A single noodle of the extrudates was placed into an aluminum ring and then compressed to 50% by the original average height. The compression head on the Instron was 48.0 mm in diameter. Testing was done over a 10 hour period. At the beginning, the extrudates were spread evenly over ventilated trays. These trays were put on crates to insure even air flow during drying, and every hour the samples were stirred. The samples from each run tested were randomly drawn each hour and tested on the Instron in triplicate. Room temperature and relative humidity were constant at 21° C and 39%, respectively. Moisture analyses were performed in triplicate according to AOAC 926.07. Samples were randomly drawn and ground for moisture determinations every hour for a total of ten hours. Over the ten-hour period, the moisture contents of four samples ranged as follows: Run 25, 20.45-13.68%; Run 26, 20.98- 14.62%; Run 28, 20.59-14.71%; and Run 30, 23.99-18.00%. 
     The following table is a summary of the moisture content data and Instron data. There were five parameters calculated from the raw data collected, namely hardness, cohesiveness, elasticity/springiness and chewiness. Hardness is defined as the force necessary to obtain the indicated deformation. Cohesiveness is a measure of the strength of internal bonds making up the body of the product. Elasticity/springiness is the rate at which the formed extrudate goes back to its undeformed condition after the deforming force is removed. Chewiness is the total energy required to masticate a sample, and is related to hardness, cohesiveness and elasticity. 
     As the moisture content decreases in the samples, there is a slight decrease in cohesiveness, elasticity and springiness. The hardness parameter exhibits the greatest amount of change. 
     
                                           TABLE 11__________________________________________________________________________                      Chewiness    Moisture    Hardness         Cohesiveness                Elasticity                      (texture                            SpringinessHr. (%)  (kg) (cm.sup.2)                (kg)  units)                            (cm)__________________________________________________________________________RUN #251   20.4491    15.080         0.605  0.666 5.998 0.8132   18.3631    17.527         0.507  0.670 6.062 0.7663   17.4267    24.683         0.521  0.643 8.252 0.8214   16.7950    32.033         0.506  0.663 6.892 0.7825   15.8474    28.080         0.504  0.658 9.277 0.7666   15.2643    34.063         0.412  0.596 8.380 0.6777   14.3799    43.443         0.460  0.637 13.277                            0.7188   13.7766    44.027         0.370  0.578 9.266 0.6429   13.8727    41.387         0.40   0.607 10.145                            0.67110  13.6788    37.510         0.487  0.705 13.049                            0.691RUN #261   20.9767    12.313         0.642  0.770 6.140 0.8372   20.0348    11.923         0.602  0.744 5.348 0.8083   18.9198    14.800         0.632  0.706 6.627 0.8594   18.1737    16.783         0.672  0.771 8.691 0.8645   17.2748    19.760         0.579  0.742 8.455 0.7896   16.3474    26.450         0.577  0.752 11.504                            0.7707   15.7711    31.647         0.547  0.730 12.679                            0.7498   15.3864    33.197         0.512  0.727 12.743                            0.6999   15.2095    35.713         0.472  0.695 11.725                            0.67410  14.6244    36.470         0.374  0.626 8.455 0.590RUN #281   20.5910    10.201         0.553  0.708 3.924 0.7762   19.5625    12.830         0.619  0.728 5.462 0.8403   18.8149    14.633         0.584  0.700 6.115 0.8394   18.0760    14.577         0.599  0.739 6.404 0.8315   17.1309    21.750         0.566  0.740 9.107 0.7666   16.8106    21.197         0.604  0.775 9.752 0.7827   16.0480    23.953         0.513  0.761 9.472 0.6808   15.5138    26.093         0.521  0.748 10.276                            0.7029   14.9097    25.830         0.603  0.751 11.689                            0.77810  14.7065    30.230         0.497  0.723 10.833                            0.688RUN #301   23.9873    19.283         0.666  0.770 9.829 0.8722   22.9327    23.817         0.638  0.767 12.129                            0.8323   22.1909    23.957         0.595  0.755 10.549                            0.7944   21.5479    21.583         0.531  0.707 7.835 0.7565   20.5651    26.727         0.586  0.742 11.776                            0.7956   20.1545    40.070         0.672  0.794 21.079                            0.8507   19.2969    31.340         0.649  0.773 15.693                            0.8428   18.6578    34.807         0.563  0.754 14.715                            0.7479   18.0400    40.823         0.600  0.773 18.849                            0.78310  18.0039    51.887         0.468  0.714 15.190                            0.680__________________________________________________________________________ 
    
     These results were compared with similar results recorded for an unacceptable product stored for more than one year. This product exhibited a moisture content of 12.89%, a hardness value of 41.23 kg, cohesiveness of 0.366 cm 2 , elasticity of 0.22 kg, chewiness of 8.407 texture units and springiness of 0.667 cm.