I don't remember the term for it, but I think it (the chemical) was something that voided the need for soaking. Or something.
Look, it's been a few months since I saw these contraptions and I can't for the life of me remember the name or purpose of something that was included with the dehydrater >_>
It was most likely either a nitrate salt (SO BAD FOR YOU!), or a glutamate salt (EVEN WORSE FOR YOU!), intended to chemically tenderize the meat, to allow the flavorings to penetrate deeper, and also to overpower your tastebuds chemically. It's a trick that the junkfood industry uses. (Here's a hint, it's bad for you. Dont use it.
)
The "Really real way" to make jerky is to cut thin and lean (as much as you can get both ways), soak for at least 2 days in the marinade bath, then hang up in a dry smoke room, and smoke cure.
The salt is used to replace the smoke for preservation, and also because it is cheap and easy, abundant, and all that crap. Be that as it may, it's just plain wrong.
If you dont have a smoke room to make the jerky in (and dont feel like running a smoker at non-existent heat for 3 days) you can use liquid smoke and a food dehydrator instead. The liquid smoke is a poor substitute for a proper smoke room though-- but given that most people really cant have one of those, that makes it only an academic "best option".