Assessment of nutrient digestibility in four dry dog foods containing different levels of protein, fat and carbohydrate

PurposeThe objective of this study is to develop two nutrient‐dense and acceptable weaning foods – Prowena and Propalm – using high‐protein food ingredients: crayfish (Macrobachium spp), soybeans (Glycine max) and groundnut (Arachis hypogea) to enrich the sole starch based weaning food locally known as “ogi”.Design/methodology/approachThe weaning food mixture was formulated by mixing yellow maize ogi flour, soyflour, groundnut meal and crayfish flour for Prowena (PROW) while palm oil was added to the mixture for Propalm (PROP). PROW and PROP were compared with the commercial weaning food Nutrend (NUTR) and the traditional weaning food, yellow maize gruel, or ogi (YOG), in terms of energy, nutrients and sensory scores.FindingsChemical analysis showed that PROW contained 2.71 per cent moisture, 22.95 per cent protein, 5.86 per cent fat, 3.75 per cent fibre, 62.39 per cent carbohydrate, 4.31 per cent ash and 3.75 kcal of energy, while PROP had 2.78 per cent moisture, 21.99 per cent protein, 8.86 per cent fat, 3.89 per cent fibre, 59.29 per cent carbohydrate, 4.77 per cent per cent ash and 3.78 kcal of energy. The sensory evaluation showed that both PROW and PROP were equally acceptable as NUTR and more acceptable than YOG in terms of taste, flavour and texture (p<0.05). However, there was no significance difference (p>0.05) in acceptability of PROW, PROP, NUTR and YOG in terms of colour.Originality/valueThe paper shows that the two weaning foods would be suitable for the commercial market to increase the protein intake and to combat protein energy malnutrition (PEM) amongst infants.

Differential effect of common snack foods on caloric intake, growth and obesity in weanling male and female rats with hypothalamic obesity

Nutritional hepatic steatosis and mortality after burn injury in rats

Mycotoxins are secondary fungal metabolites that cause both acute and chronic disease in humans and animals. Grains are a common substrate for molds and the production of mycotoxins. This study compared mycotoxin concentrations between grain and grain-free commercial dog foods. In total, 60 samples of dry and wet dog foods produced by five major manufacturers within the US were purchased from pet food retailers in southern California. A standard mycotoxin panel was performed by a reference laboratory in Seattle using industry standard methodology for pet foods. Results of the study demonstrated measurable mycotoxin concentrations in dry dog foods containing grains but not in grain-free dry dog foods, or in wet foods either containing grains or grain-free. This study suggests that the risk of mycotoxin exposure is higher in dry dog foods containing grains. To mitigate this risk, dog food manufacturers could incorporate grains that are categorized as US No. 1 by the USDA and therefore less susceptible to mycotoxin formation.

CASE DESCRIPTION--In April 2012, Salmonella enterica serotype Infantis was detected in an unopened bag of dry dog food collected during routine retail surveillance. PulseNet, a national bacterial subtyping network, identified humans with Salmonella Infantis infection with the same genetic fingerprint as the dog food sample. CLINICAL FINDINGS--An outbreak investigation identified 53 ill humans infected with the outbreak strain during January 1 to July 5, 2012, in 21 states and 2 provinces in Canada; 20 (38%) were children ≤ 2 years old, and 12 of 37 (32%) were hospitalized. Of 21 ill people who remembered the dog food brand, 12 (57%) reported a brand produced at a plant in Gaston, SC. Traceback investigations also identified that plant. The outbreak strain was isolated from bags of dry dog food and fecal specimens obtained from dogs that lived with ill people and that ate the implicated dry dog food. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME--The plant was closed temporarily for cleaning and disinfection. Sixteen brands involving > 27,000 metric tons (> 30,000 tons) of dry dog and cat food were recalled. Thirty-one ill dogs linked to recalled products were reported through the FDA consumer complaint system. CLINICAL RELEVANCE-- A one-health collaborative effort on epidemiological, laboratory, and traceback investigations linked dry dog foods produced at a plant to illnesses in dogs and humans. More efforts are needed to increase awareness among pet owners, health-care professionals, and the pet food industry on the risk of illness in pets and their owners associated with dry pet foods and treats.

The goal of this study was to analysed and compared the nutrients content of dry dog foods with nutrient content, which is declared by the manufacturer of the dry dog foods. 15 dry dog foods bought in the Slovak republic were analysed for dry matter, crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, nitrogen free extract and ash concentration. Nutrients analysis of dry dog foods were realised in Laboratory of Quality and Nutritional Value of Feeds. We found, that only 6 from 15 dry dog food samples were in interval ±5 % from declared crude protein concentration; no sample was in interval ±5 % from declared crude fat concentration; only 2 from 15 dry dog food samples were in interval ±5 % from declared crude fiber concentration; only 4 from 15 dry dog food samples were in interval ±5 % from declared ash concentration. Analysed dry dog food samples have very different nutritive value in comparison to declared nutritive value on bale. The highest shortage was detected by the fat concentration. The highest excess was detected by the fiber concentration.

The study was undertaken with the objective of optimizing the level of tripe powder in the formulary of pet pasta. Two levels of tripe powder viz., 2.5 per cent (T1 ) and five per cent (T2 ) were added in the control formulation replacing the cereal flour mix. The samples were subjected to proximate analysis, palatability/acceptability assessment test and preference test. The moisture, dry matter, crude fiber and total ash contents did not vary significantly between the treatments. T2 had significantly (p<0.01) higher crude protein, crude fat and energy content and significantly (p<0.01) lower carbohydrate content among the samples. T2 had high palatability scores when compared to other samples. The intake ratio analysis showed that T2 had significantly (p<0.05) higher intake per cent than T1 and control (p<0.01) and was thus selected as the best formulation. T2 with 6.54±0.24 per cent moisture, 10.44±0.50per cent fat, 16.46±0.60per cent protein, 64.71±0.73 per cent carbohydrate and energy value 418.63±2.64 Kcal/100g could be categorised as dry type pet food based on NRC recommendations (2006).

A study was carried out to assess the effect of turmeric powder supplementation on nutrient utilization, rumen fermentation and growth in sheep. Sixteen West African Dwarf female sheep (6 to 7 months-old) were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments in a completely randomized design. The treatment diets T1, T2, T3 and T4 contained 0, 1,2 and 3% turmeric powder, respectively. At the end of the feeding trial, nitrogen balance, energy retention, rumen fermentation and growth were assessed. The results showed that feed conversion ratio (7.62), ether extract digestibility (68.79%), total nitrogen output (4.23 g/day), gross energy intake (2748.10 kcal/day DM), total energy output (895.97 kcal/day DM), rumen ammonia nitrogen (19.23 mg/dL), acetate (62.04 mol/100mL) and butyrate (5.82 mol/100mL) were significantly (P<0.05) higher in T1 than T2, T3 and T4. diets. Feed intake (269.11 g/day), daily weight gain (46.19 g/day), digestibility of dry matter (74.23%), crude protein (69.99%), crude fibre (70.94%), nitrogen free extract (72.11%), nitrogen intake (12.07 g/day), nitrogen balance and retention (9.57% and 79.29%), digestible and metabolizable energy (1453.51 and 1191.89 kcal/day DM), total volatile fatty acids (99.67 mol/L) and propionate (24.98 mol/100mL) were significantly (P<0.05) higher in sheep on diet T4 than T0, T1, T2 and T3. It can be concluded that supplementation of turmeric powder (2 to 3%) in sheep diets improves digestibility, nitrogen balance, energy retention, rumen fermentation and growth performance in sheep.

The stimulus to compensatory hypertrophy was given by the removal of one kidney from a rat. The degree of hypertrophy was measured by comparing the weight of the remaining kidney forty days after the operation with the weight of the kidney of rats in which one kidney had been exposed but not removed. This value is expressed as a percentage. Thus if the weight of one kidney of the control rat was 1000 mg. and the weight of the remaining kidney in the nephrectomised rat was 1300 mg., the degree of compensatory hypertrophy was 30 per cent. The percentages given are the averages of groups of rats. It was intended that there should be 25 rats in each group, but since all of the animals did not become pregnant at the expected time this number was not reached in all of the experiments. The diet used was adequate for growth and for reproduction and contained 17.8 per cent of protein, 24.9 per cent of fat, and 42.2 per cent of carbohydrate. The amount of food taken was nearly the same in all experiments except in the lactation experiment. In this instance the caloric intake rose from 25 calories to 90 calories per 100 grams of body weight per day.

Effects of spray-dried animal plasma (SDAP) on intake and apparent digestibility of major dietary components were determined using 22 adult Beagles. Trials 1 and 2 used six and eight dogs, respectively, in a switchback design using 10-d periods. Trial 3 used eight dogs in a replicated 4 x 4 Latin square design with 15-d periods. The final 5 d of each period were used for measurement of intake and fecal collections. In Trial 1, dry extruded dog food kibbles were coated with 5% tallow, 2% commercial flavor, and 0 or 2% SDAP (as-fed basis). In Trial 2, commercially available dry dog food, previously coated with fat and flavor were coated with 0 or 2% SDAP. In Trial 3, SDAP (0, 1, 2, or 3%) was blended with other ingredients and extruded (as-fed basis). Kibbles were subsequently coated with 5% poultry fat and 1% commercial flavor. Intake, fecal consistency, and apparent digestibility of nutrients were determined. Addition of SDAP did not markedly affect chemical composition of diets and did not affect intake. Digestibility of DM was improved (P < 0.04) an average of 3.2% when 2% SDAP was included in the diet for all trials. Organic matter digestibility was improved (P < 0.01) in Trials 2 and 3 by an average of 2.9%. Also, digestibility of crude fiber (Trials 1 and 2) or total dietary fiber (Trial 3) was increased with addition of SDAP to the diet (P < 0.01). Fecal DM excretion was decreased by an average of 15% across all trials with the addition of SDAP. Spray-dried animal plasma was an acceptable ingredient in dry dog food preparations, resulting in improved digestion and decreased fecal output. Changes in digestion that occurred with addition of SDAP suggested alteration in digestive capacity in dogs.

Crossbred steers (British × Continental; = 192; initial BW 391 ± 28 kg) were used to evaluate the effects of feeding ethanol coproducts on feedlot cattle growth performance, apparent nutrient digestibility, and carcass characteristics. Steers were blocked by initial BW and assigned randomly to 1 of 6 dietary treatments within block. Treatments (replicated in 8 pens with 4 steers/pen) included 1) control, steam-flaked corn-based diet (CTL), 2) corn dried distillers grains with solubles (DGS; DRY-C), 3) deoiled corn dried DGS (DRY-CLF), 4) blended 50/50 corn/sorghum dried DGS (DRY-C/S), 5) sorghum dried DGS (DRY-S), and 6) sorghum wet DGS (WET-S). Inclusion of DGS was 25% (DM basis). The DGS diets were isonitrogenous, CTL was formulated for 13.5% CP, and all diets were balanced for ether extract. Final shrunk BW, ADG, and DMI did not differ among CTL and DGS treatments ( ≥ 0.19). Overall G:F did not differ from CTL for DRY-C, DRY-CLF, or WET-S ( ≥ 0.12); however, G:F was 9.6% less for DRY-S compared with CTL ( < 0.01) and tended ( = 0.09) to be less for DRY-C/S than CTL. For grain source, ADG and G:F were less for DRY-S vs. DRY-C ( < 0.05), but blending DRY-C/S tended ( = 0.07) to increase ADG and increased ( = 0.05) carcass-adjusted G:F vs. DRY-S. For WET-S, final BW and ADG were greater ( < 0.05), and G:F tended ( = 0.06) to be greater than for DRY-S. There was no difference in ADG, DMI, or G:F of steers fed DRY-C vs. DRY-CLF ( ≥ 0.35). Apparent DM and OM digestibility did not differ for CTL, DRY-C, DRY-CLF, and WET-S ( ≥ 0.30) but were lower for DRY-C/S and DRY-S ( < 0.05). Nutrient digestibility was lower for DRY-S vs. DRY-C ( < 0.01), but apparent digestibility of OM, DM, NDF, ADF, CP, ether extract, and starch were increased ( < 0.01) for DRY-C/S vs. DRY-S. Although starch digestibility did not differ between DRY-S and WET-S ( 0.18), digestibility of other measured nutrients was greater for WET-S vs. DRY-S ( < 0.01). Ether extract digestibility was greater for DRY-CLF vs. DRY-C ( < 0.05). Carcass weight, dressing percent, and marbling score did not differ between CTL and DGS diets ( ≥ 0.23). For DRY-S, HCW was lower than for DRY-C ( = 0.02); however, compared with DRY-S, HCW tended to be greater for DRY-C/S ( = 0.10) and WET-S ( = 0.07). At a moderately high (25% DM) inclusion, blending C/S or feeding WET-S resulted in cattle growth performance and carcass characteristics similar to those of CTL and corn-based coproducts.

The objective of this study was to develop prediction equations (EQS) that estimate DE and ME content of corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) using digestible (DIG) nutrients from in vitro or in vivo assays. Chemical composition data from 12 sources of corn DDGS were obtained using laboratory chemical analysis (LCA) and near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). In vitro DM disappearance (IVDMD) from gastric and small intestine hydrolysis (IVDMDh), large intestine fermentation (IVDMDf), and total tract digestion (IVDMDt) were also determined along with in vivo apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of DM, CP, ether extract (EE), NDF, and ADF, and energy values (GE, DE, and ME). Correlation analysis was used to compare chemical composition from LCA with NIRS, and a stepwise selection of variables was performed using linear regression to establish DE and ME prediction EQS. Composition determined by NIRS did not correlate with values from LCA. Consequently, significance and R2 were poorer when using NIRS data as inputs to predict DE (P = 0.11; R2 = 0.23) and ME (P = 0.11; R2 = 0.24). However, when using LCA data, DE (P = 0.04; R2 = 0.35) and ME (P = 0.04; R2 = 0.52) estimates of corn DDGS obtained from prediction EQS had significant P values, but low R2. Better prediction of DE (P < 0.01; R2 = 0.83) and ME (P < 0.01; R2 = 0.76) was observed when using in vivo DIG nutrients as inputs (DM basis) for DE, kcal/kg = 854.5 + (3.6 × DIG DM, g/kg) + (3.7 × DIG EE, g/kg) + (2.0 × DIG NDF, g/kg) and ME, kcal/kg = 704.5 + (3.3 × DIG DM, g/kg) + (4.8 × DIG EE, g/kg) + (2.6 × DIG NDF, g/kg). In vitro DIG DM, but not in vitro DIG NDF, was selected for use in EQS (7) DE, kcal/kg = 6,383.6 - (42.5 × in vitro DIG DM, g/kg) + (35.4 × DIG EE, g/kg) and (8) ME, kcal/kg = 6,635.1 - (49.8 × in vitro DIG DM, g/kg) + (41.3 × DIG EE, g/kg), but the significance and accuracy for both DE (P = 0.07; R2 = 0.45) and ME (P = 0.05; R2 = 0.49) predictions was less using in vitro DIG nutrient values than using in vivo DIG nutrient values. If chemical composition was used to replace in vivo EE, along with in vitro DIG NDF and DM, the prediction EQS only used the concentration of ADF and EE as predictors instead of in vitro DIG NDF and DM. In conclusion, in vivo DIG NDF, DM, and EE are the best predictors for DE and ME content of corn DDGS for swine. Using NIRS to determine chemical composition, in vitro DIG NDF, and in vitro DIG DM did not result in accurate predictions of DE and ME.

Xylanase supplementation can improve nutrient digestibility in pig diets by degrading cell wall non-starch polysaccharides and reducing digesta viscosity as well as promoting intestinal health of pigs after weaning. This study determined the effects of dietary xylanase supplementation on growth performance, apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of nutrients, and digesta viscosity in different digestive sites of weaned pigs. A total of 312 weaned pigs [body weight (BW) = 5.1 ± 0.9 kg] were weaned into 48 pens and assigned to one of six dietary treatments, each treatment with 8 pens, 6 to 7 pigs per pen, and sex ratios maintained within BW blocks. Experimental diets were formulated in a 3-phase nursery feeding program: Phase 1 (d 0 - d 7), Phase 2 (d 8 - d 21), and Phase 3 (d 22 – d 42). Experimental diets consisted of a wheat/soybean meal-based diet formulated to meet pig requirements (positive control, PC), the PC diet with reduction of 100 kcal of ME (negative control, NC), and the NC diet supplemented with either 900, 1,800, 3,600, or 7,200 units of xylanase. Feed disappearance and body weight were measured at d 7, 14, 21, and 42. Pen fecal score was assessed daily during d 0 to 14 and three times a week during d 15 to 28. On d 21 to 24 of the experiment (12 pigs per day), one pig per pen was selected for sample collection: ileal, cecal, and mid-colon digesta for viscosity and ileal digesta and feces for nutrient digestibility. Orthogonal polynomial contrasts were used to determine the linear and quadratic effects of increasing levels of xylanase in NC diets. Contrast analysis was used to compare PC and NC groups with xylanase-supplemented groups. Fecal score data were analyzed using the PROC FREQ procedure. Supplementing xylanase to NC diets did not improve pig growth performance (P &amp;gt; 0.05) through the nursery period. In wk 2 and wk 3, pigs fed the PC and NC diets had a greater (χ2 &amp;lt; 0.05) incidence of fecal scores 3 &amp; 4 (diarrhea) than the xylanase-supplemented pigs. The AID of DM and ATTD of crude protein, gross energy, and NDF were greater (P &amp;lt; 0.05) in the PC and 900-xylanase supplemented diets than in the other dietary treatments. In addition, the ATTD of NDF and ADF increased linearly (P &amp;lt; 0.1) in response to xylanase supplementation. Xylanase supplementation (900 to 7,200 U) decreased digesta viscosity in colon when compared with PC and NC diets. Overall, xylanase supplementation can improve nutrient digestibility, particularly at total tract level, and reduce viscosity in the hindgut, which could be related with decreasing the occurrence of looseness. However, the effects on growth performance were not expressive when xylanase was supplemented to wheat-soybean meal-based diets with reduction of 100 kcal of ME.

Energy and protein requirements of thirty-six local fowls at 2 weeks old were determined in chick and grower phases. Two levels of energy and three levels of protein tested in each phase. Six dietary treatments were employed and each treatment had three replicates of two birds each. In the chick starter phase, energy and protein combinations included: diet 1, 2,700kcal ME / Kg and 18% CP; diet 2, 2700kcal ME / Kg and 20% CP; diet 3, 2,700kcal ME / Kg and 22% CP; diet 4, 3,000kcal ME / Kg and 18% CP; diet 5, 3,000kcal ME /Kg and 20% CP and diet 6 (control), 3,000kcal ME /Kg and 22% CP. The energy and protein level combinations in the grower phase included the following; diet 1, 2,700kcal ME/ Kg and 13% CP; diet 2, 2,700kcal ME/ Kg and 15% CP; diet 3, 2,700kcal ME / Kg and 17% CP; diet 4, 3,000kcal ME/ Kg and 13% CP; diet 5, 3,000kcal ME/ Kg and 15% CP and diet 6 (control), 3,000kcal ME/ Kg and 17% CP. The experiment lasted 7 weeks for the chick starter phase and 7 to 20 weeks for the grower phase. The chicks were randomly distributed to the diets in a completely randomized design. In all the parameters measured in both phases, the control diet promoted growth of the birds better than others. For the control diet at the chick starter phase, the average feed intake (API) (g/day) was 20.20 while the efficiency of feed utilization (EFU), metabolisable energy intake (kcal/kg/day), average body weight (g/bird/wk) and average body weight gain (g/bird/day) were 0.22, 75.60, 124.40, and 4.48 respectively. The corresponding values for the grower phase were 48.80, 0.11, 91.27, 769.70 and 5.41 in that order. The values for API and average body weight per bird were not significantly different (P> 0.05) at the chick starter phase but differences were significant (P< 0.05) «it the grower phase. The diet 3 in the grower phase improved growth with the highest EFU, 0.12, and was better utilized by the birds than in the chick starter phase where it was least utilized. High energy, high protein diet enhanced growth while low energy, high protein diet did not support maximum growth especially in the chick starter phase. The control diet produced birds with the heaviest carcass and best body conformation. Keywords: Energy, requirement, protein, local fowl, growth, phase. &nbsp

The study investigates the effects of tamanu kernel cake (TKC) as protein substitution in the dietary concentrate on ruminal digestibility and methane emission. TKC is a by-product of the plantation industry of tamanu oil. The dietary concentrate consisted of wheat pollard, rice bran, corn grain, palm kernel cake, and soybean meal. The concentrate was formulated to contain crude protein and total digestible nutrients of approximately 15% and 65%, respectively. In the present study, TKC was used to substitute protein sources at different levels, such as 0% (T0), 50% (T1), and 100% (T2). Another dietary treatment was also prepared by adding 0.5 mineral salt to T2 (T3). All dietary treatments were incubated in rumen buffer according to the method of Tilley and Terry for 48 h at 39°C. In the results, the digestibility of dry matter and organic matter from dietary T1, T2, and T3 were not different compared to T0. In ruminal fermentation, dietary treatment did not affect total VFA and ammonia. Dietary T2 and T3 resulted in lower methane emissions than dietary T0 (p&lt;0.05). Additional mineral salt in dietary T3 did not affect methane emission compared to dietary T2. The present study concluded that the substitute of protein source with TKC at 30% reduced methane production effectively without negatively affecting ruminal digestibility and fermentation.