Antimicrobial rawhide animal chew containing an oxidoreductase and oxidoreductase substrate

Abstract

The invention is an animal chew which contains one or more enzymes and substrates for the purpose of generating antimicrobial compounds upon contact with an animal's saliva. The animal chew, primarily made of rawhide, contains an oxidoreductase and substrate, such as, for example, glucose oxidase and glucose, which produces hydrogen peroxide upon being chewed. The hydrogen peroxide activates the salivary peroxide system present in the saliva, which in turn produces hypothiocyanite, a potent antimicrobial agent. The animal chew may also contain added thiocyanate and iodide ions to enhance its antimicrobial activity. The chew is preferably prepared by placing it into a substrate solution for a period, drying the chew, spraying the dried rawhide chew with a solution of the oxidoreductase, and finally drying the chew again.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.