Extrusion has the following general effect on ingredients and formulations as used in animal feed manufacturing (depending on design or type of extruder and specific operational conditions):
- minimise the effect of Anti-Nutritional factors many ingredients contain
- gelatinisation of starch
- dextrinisation of starch
- maximising the rupturing of Oil Cells in oilseeds
- maximising the Digestibility of Protein, Fat and Fibre
- controlling product expansion
- Controlling product buoyancy in water
- controlling product shape and size
- controlling product moisture
- controlling texture
- stabilisation (for example Rice Bran)
- sterilisation