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Dietary fiber for dogs: I. Effects of graded levels of dietary beet pulp on nutrient intake, digestibility, metabolizable energy and digesta mean retention time
Abstract
The optimal level of beet pulp (BP) inclusion in a meat-based dog diet and the effects of graded levels of dietary BP on fecal excretion responses and mean retention time of marked fiber in the gastrointestinal tract of the dog were evaluated using 30 female English Pointers assigned to isonitrogenous diets containing 0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0 or 12.5% BP (DM basis). Beet pulp replaced portions of dietary cornstarch. Digestibilities of DM and OM decreased by an average of 6% when comparing diets containing BP to the control diet, and quadratic and cubic responses were noted in digestibilities of fiber constituents (lower values at the 7.5 and 10.0% levels, higher values at the 2.5, 5.0 and 12.5% levels). Digestible energy (DE) and ME intakes (kcal/d) were not affected by treatment, but when expressed as a percentage of GE, values decreased (4.8% for DE; 6.2% for ME) linearly with increasing BP levels. Wet weight of feces increased (from 117 to 374 g/d) linearly as percentage of dietary BP increased. Frequency of defecation was higher (P less than .05) for dogs fed the diet containing 12.5% BP than for dogs fed the other diets (5.2 vs mean value of 2.8/24 h). Mean retention time of marked fiber decreased linearly (high value of 23.4 h for the 2.5% BP treatment, low value of 13.0 h for the 10.0% BP treatment) with increased level of BP. Beet pulp levels up to 7.5% of diet DM appear acceptable as a dietary fiber source in a meat-based canine diet.
... In general, soluble and viscous fiber types delay gastric emptying and increase small intestinal transit time, whereas insoluble fibers often increase gastric emptying time and decrease transit time in both the small intestine and colon. [3][4][5]12,[28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39] Despite these trends, there are also exceptions to GIT transit time responses because they are not completely predictable based on fiber type. One notable exception is from comparative data from 2 studies in cats 40,41 that showed relatively shorter gastric emptying times when healthy cats were fed a diet high in insoluble fiber compared to cats fed a diet with a lower insoluble fiber concentration. ...
... Soluble, fermentable fibers increase stool weight, moisture concentration, and softness by increasing water retention, fecal dry matter percentage, and bacterial concentration. 5,12,28,29,48,49 Insoluble, minimally fermentable fibers increase fecal mass through water retention and dry matter bulking capacity. 5 The effects of fiber source and preparation on wet fecal volume and defecation frequency are variable in dogs, with some studies showing the expected effect and others resulting in no significant cha nges. 28,29,48,[50][51][52][53] Studies examining the effects of dietary fiber on fecal volume in cats are not available; however, review articles, reports, and proceedings reference their potential utility in clinical practice. ...
... 5,12,28,29,48,49 Insoluble, minimally fermentable fibers increase fecal mass through water retention and dry matter bulking capacity. 5 The effects of fiber source and preparation on wet fecal volume and defecation frequency are variable in dogs, with some studies showing the expected effect and others resulting in no significant cha nges. 28,29,48,[50][51][52][53] Studies examining the effects of dietary fiber on fecal volume in cats are not available; however, review articles, reports, and proceedings reference their potential utility in clinical practice. 53,54 As such, there is evidence in dogs that defecation frequency, fecal score, and moisture content may be altered by modifying dietary fiber, with minimal supporting evidence in cats. ...
Dietary fiber describes a diverse assortment of nondigestible carbohydrates that play a vital role in the health of animals and maintenance of gastrointestinal tract homeostasis. The main roles dietary fiber play in the gastrointestinal tract include physically altering the digesta, modulating appetite and satiety, regulating digestion, and acting as a microbial energy source through fermentation. These functions can have widespread systemic effects. Fiber is a vital component of nearly all commercial canine and feline diets. Key features of fiber types, such as fermentability, solubility, and viscosity, have been shown to have clinical implications as well as health benefits in dogs and cats. Practitioners should know how to evaluate a diet for fiber content and the current knowledge on fiber supplementation as it relates to common enteropathies including acute diarrhea, chronic diarrhea, constipation, and hairball management. Understanding the fundamentals of dietary fiber allows the practicing clinician to use fiber optimally as a management modality.
... Different chemical composition and physicochemical properties reflect different patterns of fibre solubility and physiological outcomes (De Godoy et al. 2013). Soluble fibre, common in beet pulp, was found to decrease gastric emptying time, increases viscosity, binds bile acids, reduces digestibility of nutrients and energy, and improves fermentation increasing faecal water content (Fahey et al. 1990a(Fahey et al. , 1990bGarcia-Diez et al. 1996;Donadelli and Aldrich 2019). On the other hand, insoluble fibre is minimally fermented (Sunvold et al. 2021). ...
... Insoluble fibre by accelerating the passage ratio, potentially decreases dry and organic matter digestibility in dogs (Muir et al. 1996). Soluble fibre from beet pulp is found to decline digestibility of protein and fat (Fahey et al. 1990a(Fahey et al. , 1990bMuir et al. 1996;Sabchuk et al. 2017) which is not desired when a diet dilution is proposed. Protein and fat carry essential amino and fatty acids, respectively. ...
... These effects were not observed when complete insoluble fibre was added. Some researchers have already reported a decrease in ATTD of nitrogen for beet pulp diets compared to cellulose diet (Fahey et al. 1990a(Fahey et al. , 1990bBosch et al. 2009;Donadelli and Aldrich 2019;Sunvold et al. 2021). Unlike cellulose, beet pulp contains protein (9-10% CP) which is in a high extent linked to cell wall (around 50%) and consequently shows low apparent digestibility, as measured in other non-ruminant animals (De Blas et al. 2010). ...
Fibre can interfere with digestibility of fat by accelerating intestinal passage or by increasing chyme viscosity. Lecithin is an important emulsifier which can improve fat digestion. The study aims to determine if fibre solubility may interfere with apparent or true total tract digestibility (ATTD; TTTD) of macronutrients and energy and if adding lecithin could improve fat digestibility. Stool quality was evaluated regarding fibre and lecithin inclusion. Eighteen adult dogs fed 130 kcal metabolisable energy × BW kg0.75/day were assigned in a 3 × 2 factorial Design, two blocks of 10 days to complete six replications per treatment. Two factors were tested, the source of fibre replacing starch and the inclusion of lecithin. Six diets were formulated with 10% corn starch or cellulose powder, or beet pulp and then all of the diets were dressed with 10% poultry fat or 1% soy lecithin + 9% poultry fat. The fibre inclusion reduced ATTD of dry matter, organic matter, carbohydrates, and energy. The ATTD of fat, crude protein, acid detergent fibre (ADF), and energy, and the TTTD of fat were decreased by adding soluble fibre in the diet, while the ATTD of ADF was greater for the cellulose diet. Soluble fibre impairs absorption of fat and other nutrients, then energy, while insoluble fibre is more related to effects on energy dilution. Lecithin is not able to restore fat digestibility, but lecithin improves energy absorption when insoluble fibre is included. Both sources can be used to produce low energy diets and modulate faecal score: soluble fibre holds water in the faecal content while insoluble fibre tends to produce dried faeces.
• Highlights
• Soluble fibre inclusion reduces digestibility of protein, fat, and energy.
• The content of water in the faeces was increased by adding soluble fibre, and faecal score was damaged but remained under acceptable conditions.
• Insoluble fibre increases the faecal bulk but reduces faecal water content.
• Lecithin did not compensate the effects of soluble fibre on reducing fat digestibility, but improved fat digestibility with insoluble fibre inclusion.
... In our study, the frequency of defecation between the groups fed meat-based diet or vegetarian diet were not different. Several other studies have reported that soluble or insoluble dietary fiber increases the frequency of defecation [49,50]. Bednar et al. [33] noted that dogs consuming a plant protein source (soybean meal) diet had higher fecal output compared to those fed poultry meal diet, reflecting higher total dietary fiber content of plant protein sources. ...
... Fecal water content was not influenced by dietary treatments, and none of the dogs involved in the study showed any gastrointestinal disorders such as diarrhea. The fecal water content for both diets in our study varied by 70.0% and was similar to those previously reported in dogs fed either beef meat with plant protein or diets containing soy or added fiber [44,50,53]. However, Hill et al. [44] found that feces changed from very firm when 100% beef protein diet was fed, to soft when the high vegetable protein (soybean meal) diet was fed, and suggested that this was associated with an increase in fecal water content. ...
... However, Hill et al. [44] found that feces changed from very firm when 100% beef protein diet was fed, to soft when the high vegetable protein (soybean meal) diet was fed, and suggested that this was associated with an increase in fecal water content. Soluble fermentable fiber seems to cause a greater increase in fecal water than insoluble fiber (poorly fermented) as stated by Fahey et al. [50]. Nonetheless, this effect was not very pronounced; the feces maintained an adequate score without any loose stools detected during the current experiment. ...
Pet owners are increasingly concerned about the links between health status, animal welfare, environmental impacts, climate change and consumption of animal products. Accordingly, many owners are increasingly interested in vegetarian diets for themselves and their companion animals. However, such diets should be investigated nutritionally regards digestibility as well as on fecal quality and nitrogen output. In light of this trend, six Beagle dogs were included in a cross-over experimental design and offered a vegetarian diet containing wheat gluten (8.81%), rice protein (8.81%) and sunflower oil (6.84%) or an meat-based diet containing poultry meal (19.5%) and poultry fat (5.23%). The dogs received extruded complete diets for 12 days (adaptation and collection period, each 6 days). The dogs fed both diets showed a high and identical palatability (scoring of food intake) of the experimental diets. No significant differences occurred regarding digestibility of organic matter, crude protein and crude fat between vegetarian and meat-based diets. However, dogs fed the meat-based diet had higher (p < 0.05) nitrogen-free extract digestibility (89.5%) compared to those fed the vegetarian diet (88.6%). The amount of nitrogen excreted in feces (g)/kg BW 0.75 was slightly, but not significantly, higher for dogs fed the vegetarian diet compared to those fed the meat-based diet (0.88 vs 0.79). The fecal consistency scores were considered to be within an acceptable range (well formed and firm). The mass of the feces between both groups were similar (62.9 g wet feces/100 g dry matter food) for vegetarian and meat-based diets. Additionally, the fecal dry matter content was comparable between both groups (29.0% and 29.6% for vegetarian and meat-based diets, respectively). In conclusion, the results of this study appear to indicate that virtually the only significant difference between the two diets was lower nitrogen-free extract digestibility in the vegetarian diet. However, the vegetarian diet did not result in a significant difference in amount of nitrogen excreted in feces.
... It may also increase the volume of the digesta in the gastrointestinal tract, and the fermentation of fiber in the colon to short chain fatty acids like butyrate (a preferred fuel source for the colonocyte) may aid in the prevention of cancer and the reduction in intestinal inflammation [25]. Moreover, food fiber through bulking of digesta can help alleviate constipation [26]. Despite these health benefits, fiber-added foods are usually less preferred than "regular" foods [27,28]. ...
... While the term "fiber" is commonly used, it relates to a very diverse group of compounds that are not easy to characterize and quantify. To add to the complexity of this food group, differences in raw material composition (plant variety, age at harvest, environmental conditions, and harvest date) and the process in which the plant material was produced can influence the composition and concentration of the fiber nutrient in the final ingredient [26,34]. Regardless of the challenges to evaluate fiber sources [35], it is important to characterize the fiber content of an ingredient to properly understand its effects on food processing and the possible health benefits it may have. ...
... As mentioned previously, fiber is not considered an essential nutrient for animals. Although its consumption can be beneficial for reducing energy intake, promoting satiety, supporting gut health, and hairball management [26,[49][50][51][52][53][54][55]. ...
While fiber is not an indispensable nutrient for monogastric animals, it has benefits such as promoting gastrointestinal motility and production of short chain fatty acids through fermentation. Miscanthus x giganteus is a hybrid grass used as an ornamental plant, biomass for energy production, construction material, and as a cellulose source for paper production. More recently Miscanthus grass (dried ground Miscanthus x giganteus) was evaluated for its fiber composition and as a fiber source for poultry (broiler chicks) and pets (dogs and cats). As a fiber source, this ingredient is mostly composed of insoluble fiber (78.6%) with an appreciable amount of lignin (13.0%). When added at moderate levels to broiler chick feed (3% inclusion) Miscanthus grass improved dietary energy utilization. However, when fed to dogs at a 10% inclusion Miscanthus grass decreased dry matter, organic matter, and gross energy digestibility, and increased dietary protein digestibility compared to dogs fed diets containing similar concentrations of beet pulp. Comparable results were reported for cats. In addition, when Miscanthus grass was fed to cats to aid in hairball management, it decreased the total hair weight per dry fecal weight. When considering the effects Miscanthus grass has on extruded pet foods, it behaves in a similar manner to cellulose, decreasing radial expansion, and increasing energy to compress the kibbles, likely because of changes in kibble structure. To date, Miscanthus grass has not been evaluated in human foods and supplements though it may have applications similar to those identified for pets.
... Plant byproducts may vary in chemical composition due to several factors. Thus, the variation in TDF concentration among the four diets is expected, especially for the FP and FSE that contained beet pulp as the main dietary fiber source, which is an known ingredient to have a wide variation in TDF content (Fahey et al., 1990a;Sunvold et al., 1995aSunvold et al., , 1995c. ...
... In the present study, the comparable chemical composition and caloric density of the 4 experimental diets resulted in similar food intakes among dogs fed these diets. Fahey et al. (1990a) reported that dogs consuming diets with increasing concentrations of beet pulp (from 2.5% to 12.5%) had a linear increase in daily DM intake. In agreement with our results, Swanson et al. (2002aSwanson et al. ( , 2002b) did not find differences in daily food intake by supplementing FOS in extruded diets of adult dogs. ...
... Nutrient digestibility is an important factor to be considered when adding fiber to a diet, since different fiber sources have been shown to affect nutrient digestibility depending on their quality and quantity (Fahey et al. 1990a(Fahey et al. , 1990bLewis et al., 1994;Silvio et al., 2000). Soluble fibers are generally more fermentable and better energy substrates for gastrointestinal microorganisms and the host than insoluble fibers. ...
Prebiotics and dietary fibers are nondigestible ingredients that may confer benefits to the host by selectively stimulating beneficial intestinal bacteria and microbial-derived metabolites that support gut and host health. This experiment evaluated the effects of a blend of prebiotics and dietary fibers on apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) and fecal metabolites related to gastrointestinal health in adult dogs. Four diets containing either 5% cellulose (control; CT), 5% dietary fiber and prebiotic blend (FP), 0.02% saccharin and eugenol (SE), or 5% fiber blend plus 0.02% saccharin and eugenol (FSE) were formulated to meet or exceed the AAFCO (2017) nutritional requirements for adult dogs. Eight adult female beagles (mean age 4.2 ± 1.1 yr; mean BW = 10.8 ± 1.4 kg; mean BCS = 5.8 ± 0.6) were randomly assigned to 1 of the 4 dietary treatments using a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design. Each experimental period consisted of 14 d (10 d of diet adaptation and 4 d of total and fresh fecal and total urine collection). All animals remained healthy throughout the study, with serum metabolites being within reference ranges for adult dogs. All diets were well accepted by the dogs, resulting in similar (P > 0.05) daily food intakes among treatments. Likewise, fecal output and scores did not differ (P > 0.05) among dietary treatments, with the latter being within the ideal range (2.5–2.9) in a 5-point scale. All diets were highly digestible and had similar (P > 0.05) ATTD of dry matter (81.6%–84.4%), organic matter (86.4%–87.3%), and crude protein (86.6%–87.3%). However, total dietary fiber (TDF) digestibility was greater for dogs fed the FSE diet (P < 0.05) in contrast with dogs fed the CT and SE diets, whereas dogs fed FP diets had intermediate TDF digestibility, but not different from all other treatments. Fecal acetate and propionate concentrations were greater (P < 0.05) for dogs fed FP and FSE diets. Fecal concentrations of isobutyrate and isovalerate were greater for dogs fed CT (P < 0.05) compared with dogs fed the other three treatments. No shifts in fecal microbial richness and diversity were observed among dietary treatments. Overall, the data suggest that dietary supplementation of fiber and prebiotic blend was well tolerated by dogs, did not cause detrimental effects on fecal quality or nutrient digestibility, and resulted in beneficial shifts in fecal metabolites that may support gut health.
... A fibra é um tipo de carboidrato complexo encontrada na parede celular dos vegetais e pode ser classificada de acordo com a sua solubilidade (solúveis e insolúveis), fermentabilidade (baixa, moderada e alta), higroscopicidade e viscosidade (Fahey et al., 1990;Sunvold et al., 1995;Case et al., 2000). As fibras solúveis (ex. ...
... A polpa de beterraba, resíduo industrial derivado da extração do açúcar da beterraba branca, é uma das principais fontes de fibras solúveis utilizadas em alimentos comerciais para cães (Fahey et al., 1990;Sunvold et al., 1995;Silvio, 2000). Em sua composição, a polpa de beterraba pode conter de 60 a 80% de fibra dietética total (FDT), da qual a fração solúvel está presente em maior proporção do que a fração de fibra insolúvel (Sunvold et al., 1995). ...
... These compounds contribute directly to faecal bulking and reduce intestinal transit time (NRC 2006;FEDIAF 2013). Resistant starches, oligosaccharides, non-starch polysaccharides, and fermentable fibre substances may be fermented by the microbial enzymes in the large intestine of dogs and cats (Fahey et al. 1990). Dietary fibres can be classified by their solubility in water (soluble vs. insoluble) or their fermentability (fermentable vs. non-fermentable or viscosity vs. non-viscosity). ...
... In the current study, the sugar beet pulp and tomato pomace were richer than other fibrous feedstuffs in terms of pectin, gums, and mucilage contents (mostly pectin). The TDF, SF, HC, pectin, and cellulose contents of the sugar beet pulp in the current study were similar to the results of previous researchers (Fahey et al. 1990;Sunvold et al. 1995a, b;Kara 2016). The TDF and IDF contents of corn bran in the present study were in agreement with the values reported by . ...
Dietary fibre substances in dog foods are composed of cell wall polysaccharides, non-cellulose polysaccharides, and structural non-polysaccharides. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of dog age and heat-steam pressure (extruding process) on the in vitro fermentation of fibrous feedstuffs (sugar beet pulp, tomato pomace, wheat bran, corn bran, and rice bran) to be included in dog foods. The fibrous feedstuffs were incubated with a fermentation medium mixture and faeces inoculum, which were collected from two 6 month old (puppy), two 2 year old (adult), and two 8 year old (geriatric) dogs. The in vitro cumulative gas production (at 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, and 48 h), true-organic matter disappearance (T-OMd) (at 6, 12, 24, and 48 h), and molarities of short chain fatty acids (SCFA) (acetic, propionic, and butyric acids; AA, PA, and BA) in fermentation fluid (at 24 h) of fibrous feedstuffs were determined. The extruding process increased the in vitro cumulative gas production of rice bran (at 12, 18, 24, and 48 h) and wheat bran (at 6, 12, 24, and 36 h) (P < 0.05). In addition, in vitro cumulative gas production values of tomato pomace (at 12, 18, 24, 36, and 48 h) were reduced by the extruding process (P < 0.05). The extruding process increased the in vitro T-OMd values of sugar beet pulp (at 6, 12, and 24 h), wheat and rice bran (at 6 and 12 h), and the molarities of AA, BA, and total SCFA of the in vitro fermentation fluid of sugar beet pulp and wheat bran (P < 0.05). The in vitro cumulative gas production values of tomato pomace from faecal inoculums of the puppy and adult dogs were higher than that of the geriatric dog (P < 0.05). The in vitro T-OMd of sugar beet pulp (at 48 h) and extruded corn bran (at 6 h) with faecal inoculums of adult dog was higher than those of inoculum from puppy faeces (P < 0.05). The molarity of AA of tomato pomace with adult dog’s faecal inoculum was higher than those from puppy and geriatric dog (P < 0.05). The molarities of AA, BA, and total SCFA with corn bran from faeces inoculums of the puppy and adult dog was higher than that of the geriatric dog (P < 0.05). The molarities of AA and total SCFA of the in vitro fermentation fluid of extruded rice bran with faecal inoculums from the geriatric dogs was higher than those with faecal inoculums from the puppy and adult dogs (P < 0.05). As a result, the extruding process positively affected the in vitro fermentation values of sugar beet pulp, wheat bran, and rice bran. Furthermore, the organic acid molarities of the in vitro fermentation fluid of extruded rice bran from the geriatric dog was higher than those from the puppy and adult dogs. Sugar beet pulp, tomato pomace, wheat bran, and corn bran can be used as a source of fibre in food for puppy, adult, and geriatric large dogs.
... ATTD of DM, OM, fat, and TDF was also reduced by FPPB and iFPPB diets, which was also likely due to the higher fiber inclusion level. Previous research has shown a linear decrease (P < 0.05) in DM, OM, and fat digestibility with increasing dietary beet pulp (0%, 2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5%, 10%, and 12.5% inclusion levels) as a source of fiber (Fahey et al., 1990). In that study, a cubic response for nitrogen digestibility was reported, with intermediate to lower digestibility being present at 7.5%, 10%, and 12.5% beet pulp treatment levels (Fahey et al., 1990). ...
... Previous research has shown a linear decrease (P < 0.05) in DM, OM, and fat digestibility with increasing dietary beet pulp (0%, 2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5%, 10%, and 12.5% inclusion levels) as a source of fiber (Fahey et al., 1990). In that study, a cubic response for nitrogen digestibility was reported, with intermediate to lower digestibility being present at 7.5%, 10%, and 12.5% beet pulp treatment levels (Fahey et al., 1990). Fat digestion differed among treatments, but all values were above 90% digestibility, a value that is usually observed in commercially extruded diets (Orr, 1965;Ahlstrom and Skrede, 1998). ...
A variety of functional ingredients, including fibers, prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics may be added to pet foods to support gastrointestinal and immune health. While many of these ingredients have been tested individually, commercial foods often include blends that also require testing. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of diets containing blends of fibers, ‘biotics’, and/or spray-dried plasma on apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD), stool quality, fecal microbiota and metabolites, and immune health outcomes of adult dogs. Twelve healthy adult intact English pointer dogs (6 M; 6 F; age = 6.4 ± 2.0 yr; BW = 25.8 ± 2.6 kg) were used in a replicated 3x3 Latin square design to test diets formulated to: 1) contain a low concentration of fermentative substances (control diet; CT); 2) be enriched with a fiber-prebiotic-probiotic blend (FPPB); and 3) be enriched with a fiber-prebiotic-probiotic blend + immune-modulating ingredients (iFFPB). In each 28-d period, 22 d of diet adaptation was followed by a 5-d fecal collection phase and 1 d for blood sample collection. All data were analyzed using SAS 9.4, with significance being P<0.05 and trends being P<0.10. FPPB and iFPPB diets led to shifts in numerous outcome measures. Dry matter (DM), organic matter, fat, fiber, and energy ATTD were lower (P<0.01), fecal scores were lower (P<0.01; firmer stools), and fecal DM% was higher (P<0.0001) in dogs fed FPPB or iFPPB than those fed CT. Serum triglycerides and cholesterol were lower (P<0.01) in dogs fed FPPB or iFPPB than those fed CT. Fecal protein catabolites (isobutyrate, isovalerate, indole, ammonia) and butyrate were lower (P<0.05), while fecal immunoglobulin A (IgA) was higher (P<0.01) in dogs fed FPPB and iFPPB than those fed CT. Fecal microbiota populations were affected by diet, with alpha diversity being lower (P<0.05) in dogs fed iFPPB and the relative abundance of 20 bacterial genera being altered in dogs fed FPPB or iFPPB compared to CT. The circulating helper T cell:cytotoxic T cell ratio was higher (P<0.05) in dogs fed iFPPB than those fed CT. Circulating B cells were lower (P<0.05) in dogs fed FPPB than those fed iFPPB, and lower (P<0.05) in dogs fed iFPPB than those fed CT. Our results demonstrate that feeding a fiber-prebiotic-probiotic blend may provide many benefits to canine health, including improved stool quality, beneficial shifts to fecal microbiota and metabolite profiles, reduced blood lipids, and increased fecal IgA.
... A linear increase in TDF digestibility was observed when CPP were added to the formulations. The fermentation characteristics of soluble fiber sources can be observed by their TDF CTTAD; the more fermented the raw material is, the higher the reduction in the recovery of feces (Fahey et al., 1990;Silvio et al., 2000;Middelbos et al., 2007;Fischer et al., 2012;Maria et al., 2017;Donadelli and Aldrich, 2019). This finding indicated elevated fermentability of the CPP dietary fiber by the colon microbiota of dogs. ...
... Both mechanisms altogether may contribute to increase fecal water content (Dai and Chau, 2017). These effects on fecal moisture and output are well documented for dogs fed diets containing different fermentable fiber sources, such as beet pulp (Fahey et al., 1990;Donadelli and Aldrich, 2019), citrus pulp (Sunvold et al., 1995b), guar gum (Zentek, 1996) or pectin (Zentek, 1996;Silvio et al., 2000). ...
Citrus pulp pellets (CPP) and orange fiber (OF) are coproducts of the citrus juice industry. OF is a novel fiber source that contains elevated amounts of soluble fiber and has not yet been studied in dog nutrition. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the inclusion of CPP and OF in dog foods and their effects on the extrusion parameters, the coefficient of total tract apparent digestibility (CTTAD) of nutrients, fermentation end products, and palatability. A control diet (CO) without an added fiber source tested was formulated, and the experimental diets were composed of 30 g/kg, 60 g/kg and 120 g/kg CPP or 60 g/kg OF inclusion (as-fed basis). Extrusion parameters were recorded to determine extruder energy balance and kibble macrostructure. Thirty beagle dogs (3.2 ± 0.7 years; 12.4 ± 1.5 kg body weight) were distributed in a randomized block design with 6 dogs per group to evaluate the CTTAD of nutrients and the fermentation products in feces. The results were analyzed by analysis of variance, and means were compared by polynomial and orthogonal contrasts. The inclusion of CPP and OF reduced motor amperage (P<0.001), mass pressure (P=0.002), and specific mechanical energy transference (P<0.001). Kibble macrostructure was affected by a decrease in expansion and an increase in hardness by CPP and OF inclusions (P<0.001). Starch gelatinization was reduced by CPP (P<0.001) but not by OF inclusion (P>0.05). Total dietary fiber (TDF) intake increased (P<0.001) with the addition of CPP, with a linear reduction in CTTAD of nutrients and energy (P<0.05). The OF treatment, however, presented similar CTTAD values of DM and CP to those of the CO diet (P>0.05). The TDF CTTAD was higher for 60 g/kg OF than for 60 g/kg CPP (P=0.028). The fecal pH decreased, and total short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), acetic acid, butyric acid, and lactate concentrations increased with CPP and OF inclusion (P<0.05). However, the diet supplemented with OF induced the production of feces with a lower pH and higher total SCFA concentrations than those of feces produced from CPP inclusion (P<0.001). The OF diet presented a higher preference (65%) than the CO diet (35%) by dogs (P<0.05). The CPP and OF were fermentable fiber sources, increasing SCFA and butyric acid concentrations in feces. The OF was more fermentable than CPP, with a limited impact on kibble formation, starch cooking, and CTTAD of nutrients and showing good acceptance on diets by dogs.
... Although the water-holding capacity of the dietary ingredients is a factor, greater nutrient digestibility usually results in lower fecal output [69], even though the increased fecal output may be explained by an increase in dietary fiber [70]. Previous studies have shown an increase in wet fecal weight with the increase in dietary fiber [71]. From another point of view, Jarett et al. [72] found that diets containing crickets supported the same level of gut microbiome diversity in dogs as a standard healthy balanced diet. ...
... Another factor is fiber fermentation activity. High positive correlations were found in dogs between fermentation activity on the one hand and moisture content of feces on the other hand [39,71,74]. This conclusion could be related to fiber's "bulking impact", and it appears to be most strongly linked to insoluble fiber sources that are both poorly fermentable and have high water-binding capacity [74]. ...
Insect larvae meal has been proposed as a sustainable protein source for animal diets. This study aimed to provide information on including black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFL; Hermetia illucens) in comparison to poultry meal (PM) in the canine diet with regard to digestibility and fecal characteristics. In light of this trend, the levels of PM or BSFL meal were added to replace about 30% of dry matter of the basic extruded diet. Six Beagle dogs (BW 9.64 kg) were included in a cross-over experiment. Dogs fed a BSFL meal-based diet showed higher (p < 0.05) apparent protein digestibility (82.3%) compared to those offered a PM-based diet (80.5%). Apparent digestibility for fat was higher (p < 0.05) in groups fed the BSFL meal-based diet (94.5%) compared to those offered the PM-based diet (91.6%). The fecal consistency scores for dogs fed both diets were within an acceptable range (well-formed and firm). Fecal dry matter content was higher (p < 0.05) for dogs fed the PM-based diet (33.0%) compared to those offered the BSFL meal-based diet (28.0%). Including BSFL meal in dog food can be an appropriate source of protein without any negative effects on nutrient digestibility and fecal quality.
... Sugar beet pulp (SBP) is a moderately fermentable, pectin-rich fiber source that is often used in commercial pet food (Fahey et al., 1990;Muir et al., 1996). ...
... Dogs had a higher DM content in the feces when diets, based on a level with same amounts of fiber sources but different concentrations of CF, contained cellulose compared with beet pulp (Sunvold et al., 1995a) or pectins (Lewis et al., 1994;Silvio et al., 2000). The difference between lowSBP and highSBP is in line with former observations where increasing concentration of SBP led to a reduction of fecal DM in dog feces (Fahey et al., 1990). This is explained by a high water-holding capacity of SBP (Von Heimendahl et al., 2010) and pectins in general (Stephen and Cummings, 1979), whereas the water-holding capacity of cellulose is quite low (Stephen and Cummings, 1979). ...
... According to Van Soest et al. [6], fibrous fractions that are considered non-digestible are the neutral detergent fiber (NDF; hemicellulose, cellulose, lignin, insoluble proteins, cutin, Maillard products, tannin condensates, and insoluble minerals), the acid detergent fiber (ADF; insoluble cellulose, lignin, cutin, Maillard products, condensed tannins, and insoluble minerals), and the acid detergent lignin (ADL; lignin, cutin, Maillard products, and silica). The evaluation of the fiber fractions allows the quantification of insoluble and non-viscous components of the plant fiber which are hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin [7]. Cellulose and lignin can be considered insoluble and unfermentable fiber, while hemicellulose is poorly fermented by non-ruminants [8]. ...
... In fact, feces of dogs fed with pectin or guar gum, which are viscous plant fiber, are softer than those from dogs fed a diet containing cellulose, which has lower hydration capacity. Furthermore, a linear decrease in mean retention time of digesta was associated to the increased beet pulp concentration [7]. Beet pulp and wheat bran are considered moderately fermentable fiber sources due to their high content of NDF (particularly hemicellulose), which affects transit time, stool weight, moisture, and composition [8]. ...
The aim of the present study was to investigate the ability of a handheld near-infrared spectrometer to predict total and gelatinized starch, insoluble fibrous fractions, and mineral content in extruded dry dog food. Intact and ground samples were compared to determine if the homogenization could improve the prediction performance of the instrument. Reference analyses were performed on 81 samples for starch and 99 for neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), and minerals, and reflectance infrared spectra (740 to 1070 nm) were recorded with a SCiO™ near-infrared (NIR) spectrometer. Prediction models were developed using modified partial least squares regression and both internal (leave-one-out cross-validation) and external validation. The best prediction models in cross-validation using ground samples were obtained for gelatinized starch (residual predictive deviation, RPD = 2.54) and total starch (RPD = 2.33), and S (RPD = 1.92), while the best using intact samples were obtained for gelatinized starch (RPD = 2.45), total starch (RPD = 2.08), and K (RPD = 1.98). Through external validation, the best statistics were obtained for gelatinized starch, with an RPD of 2.55 and 2.03 in ground and intact samples, respectively. Overall, there was no difference in prediction models accuracy using ground or intact samples. In conclusion, the miniaturized NIR instrument offers the potential for screening purposes only for total and gelatinized starch, S, and K, whereas the results do not support its applicability for the other traits.
... Beet pulp is the leftover fibrous material from the extraction of sugar from beets. Despite the nutritional benefits of both fibre sources (Fahey et al., 1990b(Fahey et al., , 1990aSunvold, Hussein, Fahey, Merchen, & Reinhart, 1995), many pet food companies are searching for novel ingredients to use as an alternative to these traditional ingredients. ...
... This could be also related to a higher water holding capacity of beet pulp when compared to the other to test fibres. Similarly, Beagle dogs fed diets with increasing levels of beet pulp had a quadratic decrease in faecal DM(Fahey et al., 1990a).The total dietary fibre digestibility of CED was the lowest of all di-Abbreviations: Dietary treatments; BPD, beet pulp; CED, cellulose; MGD, Miscanthus grass; SEM, Standard error of the mean. ...
Pet food companies use fibrous ingredients in cat foods to aid weight and hairball management. Miscanthus grass could be an alternative novel fibre source for cat foods. The objectives of this work were to determine the effects of Miscanthus grass as a fibre source on nutrient utilization, stool quality and hairball management in cats. Dry extruded cat foods (average chemical composition; digestibility trial: 94.54% dry matter—DM, 34.47% crude protein—CP, 11.67% crude fat, 7.06% ash and 13.04% total dietary fibre—TDF; and hairball trial: 94.88% DM, 34.60% CP, 11.30% crude fat, 7.02% ash and 9.77% TDF) were fed to 12 cats for a 9‐day (digestibility trial) or 16‐day (hairball trial) adaptation period followed by a 5‐day total faecal collection period. Digestibility trial was performed as a replicated Latin square design, and the hairball trial was performed as a switchback design. In general, the cats fed the beet pulp diet (BPD) had higher DM, organic matter, gross energy and TDF digestibility than cats fed Miscanthus grass (MGD) or cellulose (CED) diet (p < .05). However, CP digestibility was lower for cats fed BPD (82.1 vs. 84.7 and 85.1%, respectively, for BPD, MGD and CED). These differences could be due to the differences in dietary fibre content and(or) composition. Faecal scores were lower for cats fed BPD (2.84) compared with MGD (3.32) and CED (3.21; p < .05). No effects due to fibre were reported on the faecal hairball variables, with the exception of less total hair weight and hair clumps per gram of dry faeces for cats fed Miscanthus grass (MGH) compared with control diet (COH; p < .05). In conclusion, Miscanthus grass could be used as an alternative ingredient to cellulose in cat diets.
... Most of the fiber sources previously evaluated were a byproduct of the agricultural and food processing industries and varied in their composition depending on the plant material and the process to remove the primary valued component (Fahey et al., 1990;Montagne et al., 2003). Miscanthus giganteus is a C4 grass grown throughout the world as an ornamental, ground cover, privacy hedge, and, in recent years, as biomass to support the growing interest in cellulosic ethanol 5820 0.21 L-Lysine chloride, 78% 0.02 1 As-fed basis. 2 Manganese 4.0%, zinc 4.0%, iron 2.0%, copper 4,500 ppm, iodine 600 ppm, selenium 60 ppm, vitamin A 3,085,600 IU/kg, vitamin D3 1,102,000 ICU/kg, vitamin E 6,612 IU/kg, vitamin B12 4.408 mg/kg, menadione 330.6 mg/kg, riboflavin 2644.8 mg/kg, thiamine 440.8 mg/kg, D-pantothenic acid 2644.8 ...
... ADF contents of CEL and CMG were greater than other dietary treatments. Beet pulp is considered a moderately fermentable fiber (Fahey et al., 1990). A higher amount of fermentable fibers compared to the other tested fibers is supported by the lower content of ADF of CBP and FBP diets (2.8 and 3.1%, respectively). ...
The addition of fiber in chick feeds is known to dilute nutrients; as a result, this may reduce nutrient digestibility and performance. However, recent studies suggest that moderate inclusion of insoluble fibers (2 to 3%) may stimulate gizzard development, which could result in better nutrient utilization and chick growth. The previous fiber sources evaluated were subject to wide fluctuation in their nutritional and chemical composition due to variation in processing. Miscanthus giganteus is a C4 grass purposefully grown for its fiber content which has a consistent fiber composition compared to food process residues. The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of dietary fiber source and particle size on day-old chick performance and nutrient digestibility. Day-old chicks (8 chicks per cage, 5 cages per treatment) were fed diets containing 3% of either sepiolite (SEP), cellulose (CEL), coarse beet pulp (BP), fine BP, coarse Miscanthus grass (MG), and fine MG. At the end of days 7, 14, and 21, chicks and experimental diets were weighed to compute average daily gain and feed intake. In addition, excreta from the previous 48 h of each data capture point was collected to determine nutrient digestibility. In general, chicks fed diets containing fiber consumed more feed, gained more weight, and had better feed conversion rate than birds fed the SEP diet. Particle size of the fiber had no effect on chick performance; however, nutrient utilization was higher (P < 0.05) for chicks fed coarse fiber particles compared to these fed fine fiber particles. Birds fed diets containing MG performed similar to chicks fed CEL (P > 0.05), but digestibility coefficients of birds fed BP diets were generally higher than chicks fed MG diets. In conclusion, chicks performed better with fiber in their diet and MG was comparable to CEL.
... Number of defecations decreased with C. vulgaris and T. obliquus inclusion over the reference diet but were not significantly affected by microalgae level. Dietary contents of soluble and insoluble fiber and ash (72,75), have been suggested to affect frequency of defecation, but results are contradictory. Indeed, El-Wahab et al. (76) reported no differences in the frequency of defecation (1. ...
The current trend of dog owners increasingly favoring the functional value of food to assure preventive health and wellbeing of their pets has been raising the interest in microalgae as natural additives with bioactive properties. However, scientific studies addressing the effects of microalgae supplementation in diets for dogs are scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with three microalgae species (Chlorella vulgaris, Nannochloropsis oceanica, and Tetradesmus obliquus) on diet palatability, total tract digestibility, metabolizable energy content, fecal metabolites and microbiota of dogs. Twelve adult Beagle dogs were used in three two-bowl tests to compare the palatability of a commercial complete diet for adult dogs without (reference diet) and with 1.5% supplementation of each microalgae. From the results obtained, three digestibility trials were performed according to a replicated Latin square 3 × 3, with six adult Beagle dogs, three experimental periods of 10 days each, and three dietary supplementation levels of microalgae (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5%). In each trial, effects of microalgae supplementation levels on total tract digestibility, metabolizable energy content, fecal metabolites and microbiota of dogs were evaluated. First diet approached or tasted was not significantly affected by microalgae inclusion, but dogs showed a preference for the reference diet over the diets with 1.5% inclusion of C. vulgaris and N. oceanica, no difference being observed with 1.5% T. obliquus. In all digestibility trials, dietary supplementation with microalgae up to 1.5% did not greatly affected the dietary chemical composition and kept unaffected food intake, fecal output and metabolites, and digestibility of nutrients and energy. Compared with the reference diet, supplementation with C. vulgaris increased protein digestibility. Fecal characteristics and metabolites were affected by microalgae supplementation, being the effects dependent on the species. Fecal microbiota composition of dogs fed with microalgae-supplemented diets was modified by promoting the beneficial Turicibacter and Peptococcus genera associated with gut health and activation of the immune system. Overall, the results support C. vulgaris, N. oceanica, and T. obliquus as sustainable functional supplements that potentially enhance gastrointestinal health of dogs through the selective stimulation of microbiota without detrimental effects on food intake and digestibility.
... The present results are in agreement with those in previous studies which reported the negative effects of fiber on energy and nutrient digestibility in dogs [24,[37][38][39]. Fibers are less digestible than starch, protein, and fat due to the lack of fiber-degrading enzymes secreted in the stomach and the small intestine of dogs, although microbes in the large intestine may partially digest dietary fiber [40][41][42]. In addition, fibers potentially disturb the degradation of other nutrients by exogenous enzymes [43], which explains the negative correlation between dietary NDF and IVID of CP in this work. ...
The aims of this study were to determine in vitro ileal disappearance (IVID) of dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) in commercial dog diets and to develop equations for predicting the IVID of DM and CP in dog diets based on chemical composition. Eighteen commercial dog diets were analyzed for IVID of DM and CP using a two-step in vitro procedure for dogs. The diet samples in flasks with digestive enzymes were incubated for 2 h and 4 h to simulate digestion in the stomach and the small intestine, respectively. The contents of CP, ether extract, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and ash in the diets ranged from 14.4 to 42.5%, 3.5 to 23.5%, 6.4 to 34.6%, and 4.9 to 10.0%, respectively, on an as-is basis. The NDF contents were negatively correlated with the IVID of DM and CP (r = −0.73 and r = −0.62, respectively; p < 0.05). The most suitable prediction equations for the IVID of DM and CP in the dog diets were: IVID of DM (%) = 81.33 + 0.46 × CP − 0.77 × NDF, R2 = 0.78; IVID of CP (%) = 81.25 + 0.33 × CP − 0.49 × NDF, R2 = 0.64, where all nutrients were in % on an as-is basis. In conclusion, dry matter and protein utilization of dog diets based on in vitro digestibility assays can be estimated fairly well using protein and fiber concentrations as independent variables.
... The increased fecal score was likely due to high digestibility, reduced hydrolysate content, and slightly higher crude fiber content in the recipes containing RPC. While an increase in dietary fiber is associated with increased fecal output (29)(30)(31), it is likely that the fiber differences in these test foods were not substantial enough to impact as-is fecal output as seen in these other studies. ...
Introduction
The use of rice protein concentrate (RPC) as a protein source in cat food is uncommon. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the acceptability and digestibility of foods formulated to contain increasing levels of RPC to support its inclusion in foods for adult (non-gravid, non-lactating) cats.
Methods
Increasing levels of RPC (0, 7, 14, and 28%) were formulated into test foods fed to 24 cats in a Latin square design with 15-day periods and no washout between periods. Food intake and fecal scores were measured to determine the acceptability of test foods. Fecal output was measured on days 11–15. Food and fecal samples from day 15 of each period were analyzed for nutrient composition to calculate the macronutrient digestibility of the test foods. Analysis of variance and orthogonal contrasts were used to assess the effects of RPC inclusion on food intake, fecal output, fecal scores, and macronutrient digestibility.
Results
The results showed that as-fed (AF), dry matter (DM), and gross energy (GE) intake increased with increasing RPC levels (p > 0.05). Fecal output, both as-is and DM, was unaffected by RPC inclusion (p > 0.05); however, fecal scores increased linearly with increasing RPC inclusion (p < 0.001). Furthermore, true protein and apparent DM, GE, and carbohydrate (NFE) digestibility increased linearly with RPC inclusion (p < 0.05). Apparent fat digestibility was high for all test foods but was unaffected by RPC inclusion (p = 0.690).
Discussion
Overall, the inclusion of RPC was well-accepted, improved fecal characteristics, and increased the apparent and true macronutrient digestibility compared to the control. Therefore, this study demonstrated that RPC can serve as a high-quality and acceptable protein source for adult cats.
... Soluble fiber is known to be degraded by microbiota in the colon, resulting in SCFA production [13]; however, differences in fiber composition have a big impact on fermentation level and fermentation end-product profiles. Beet pulp (BP) is considered a standard fiber source in pet foods, with its soluble fibers providing benefit to colonic fermentation in dogs [14,15]. Pea fiber (PF) has been evaluated in an in vitro model with canine fecal inoculum, and it was intermediate in the production of SCFA compared to beet pulp and cellulose [16]. ...
Soybean oligosaccharides (OS) have been recognized as a prebiotic that can be fermented in the colon, resulting in short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production that can be used as an energy source for colonocytes, supporting cell differentiation and gut health. The objective was to determine the effects of WSBOS on in vitro fermentation, using dog feces as inoculum. Treatments included total dietary fiber (TDF) residues from WSB, soybean hulls (SH), pea fiber (PF), and beet pulp (BP), as well as WSB TDF residue plus soybean OS (WSBOS) and WSB TDF residue plus raffinose, stachyose, and verbascose (WSBRSV). Fresh fecal samples were collected from dogs and maintained in anaerobic conditions until substrate inoculation. Test tubes containing fiber sources and inoculum were incubated for 4, 8, and 12 h at 39 °C. Organic matter disappearance (OMD), pH, and SCFA were measured. The WSBOS and WSBRSV had greater (p < 0.05) OMDs than BP. Butyrate production was greatest (p < 0.05) for WSBOS (294.7 µmol/g) and WSBRSV (266.1 µmol/g), followed by BP (130.3 µmol/g) and WSB (109.2 µmol/g), and lowest (p < 0.05) for PF (44.1 µmol/g). The production of total SCFA was greatest (p < 0.05) for BP and WSBOS, followed by WSB, and lowest (p < 0.05) for PF. In conclusion, WSB has the potential as a prebiotic demonstrating greater butyrate production than BP in a canine in vitro fermentation model due to the fermentation of both OS and fiber in WSB. Further animal feeding studies are needed to determine the appropriate amount of WSB in canine diets.
... One factor, for example, is the fermentation activity of fibers. The fermentation activity and the moisture content of dog feces have been shown to have strong positive associations [16,26,53]. This finding might be connected to fiberʹs ability to add bulk, and it seems to be most strongly connected to sources of insoluble fiber that are both poorly fermentable and have a high capacity to bind water [26]. ...
In order to enhance the health and welfare of obese dogs and to facilitate the required loss of body weight, commercial diets are produced with fibrous ingredients. Cellulose is a common dietary fiber used mainly in powdered form. However, other processing forms and fibers are available as fibrous additives. This work aimed to test the effects of different fiber sources on apparent total tract digestibility and fecal quality in dogs. Four diets were fed to eight dogs (experimental design: 4 × 4 Latin square) for a 14-day period each. In addition to a basal diet (CO), three experimental diets varying in fiber sources were used: powdered cellulose (CE), granulated cellulose (GC), and lignocellulose (LC). Dogs fed the CO had lower crude fiber digestibility than those fed the other experimental diets (p < 0.0033). Dogs fed diets supplemented with fiber sources had lower gross energy digestibility (range: 76.2–77.3%) compared with those fed the CO (84.4%). In all groups, the fecal score (consistency and shape) ranged within the optimal values; solely wet fecal output was increased for the fiber groups compared with those on the CO. This study demonstrated that various sources of fiber such as GC and LC can be used as alternatives to CE without restrictions.
... Przeprowadzone dotychczas badania wskazują również, że zwiększony udział włókna pokarmowego oraz proporcje poszczególnych jego frakcji w karmie (> 4,5% s.m.) sprzyjają namnażaniu pożytecznej mikroflory przewodu pokarmowego [37]. Z drugiej strony niewielki jego udział < 0,6% s.m. [38] w paszy może wpływać na zwiększenie strawności pozostałych składników mieszanki, a zarazem zmniejszoną perystaltykę jelit [39]. Obniżona zawartość włókna w przebadanych karmach suchych może powodować wzmożone uczucie głodu u psów, a tym samym przyczyniać się do zwiększonego pobierania karmy, co może prowadzić do wzrostu dziennej podaży energii. ...
Consumer awareness among dog owners is constantly growing – when purchasing ready-made food, they pay more and more attention to the chemical composition of the product; hence its adequate description becomes important in marketing activities. The aim of the study was to compare the macronutrient content of ready-made complete feeds for adult dogs declared on the label with the actual state and with the FEDIAF guidelines. The conducted Wenden analysis showed that the tested dry feeds (n = 14) in dry matter contained on average more total protein (p < 0.01) and less crude fiber (p < 0.01) than declared on the label – 23.68 respectively % vs. 20.58% and 3.25% vs. 2.11%. Moist food (n = 16) had on average less crude fat (p < 0.05) than declared by the producers – 18.92% vs 23.05% DM. All the feeds tested met the FEDIAF requirements for protein content. One dry food did not meet the fat content standards. Significant differences between the actual content of protein and fiber in dry foods and fat in wet foods, as compared to the manufacturers' declarations, indicate the need for constant verification of the accuracy of the information provided on the labels of dog foods. Inconsistent with the actual state of data on the chemical composition of the feed may lead to macronutrient deficiencies and an inadequate energy balance in the diet of dogs.
... Differences in digestibility in the diets are also correlated with differences in fecal characteristics [40,44]. Other studies have shown that the frequency of defecation increases when dietary fiber was supplemented in the diet [45,46]. However, in our study, no significant differences were observed in daily defecation frequency between the groups fed a diet with or without a LC supplementation (range: 1.90-2.23 time/day). ...
Lignocellulose (LC) might be used as a substitute fiber source for dogs as a strategy to decrease energy density and enhance gastrointestinal functionality. The objective of the present study was to compare the effects of including different levels of LC on apparent nutrient digestibility and fecal parameters (dry matter (DM), fecal score, and daily fecal output), as well as fecal fatty acid concentrations. Four diets were tested: control diet (no supplementation of LC; LC0), and three control diets diluted with increasing levels of LC: 1, 2, and 4% (LC1, LC2, and LC4). Six Beagle dogs (BW 17.1 kg ± 1.22) participated in a crossover experimental design. Before each experimental period, five days were used as a wash-out period. The fecal consistency was scored based on a 5-point scale (1 = very hard; 2 = solid, well-formed “optimum”; 3 = soft, still formed; 4 = pasty, slushy; and 5 = watery diarrhea). The results demonstrated that the organic matter apparent digestibility (p = 0.01) and nitrogen-free extract (NFE) (p < 0.01) was significantly lower for dogs fed LC4 compared to those fed LC0. Dogs fed LC2 and LC4 had a lower fecal consistency score (2.39 and 2.18, respectively; p < 0.05). The fecal DM was significantly the highest (p < 0.01), and the daily fecal output on fresh matter was lower (p < 0.05) when dogs were fed the LC4 diet compared with the LC0 diet. Including LC at 1% in the diet resulted in significantly higher fecal acidic pH levels. However, no differences among treatments were noted regarding fecal fatty acid concentrations.
... That amount corresponds with petfood dry matter containing 15.8% beet pulp as the sole source of Pyr. For dogs fed dry matter with 12.5 or 8.3% beet pulp, for 3 and 8 weeks respectively (14,15), no harmful effects were reported, but feces quantity was increased. Frequency of defecation was also increased when the diet with 12.5% beet pulp was fed. ...
Pyrraline in petfood Pyrraline (Pyr) may be seen as the product of heat-induced reactions between a sugar, such as glucose, and the amino acid lysine. Pyr may be formed during thermal processing of foods, including petfoods (cf. Note 1). Data on Pyr analyses in commercial dog and cat foods were not found. Using analysed Pyr contents in proxy ingredients, the maximum level of Pyr in petfood was put at 93 mg/kg dietary dry matter, or per kg of the food's residue after removal of its moisture. A paper communicates that dogs excrete Pyr in urine, but further data on Pyr metabolism in dogs are unavailable. For cats, there appears to be no information whatsoever. As based on a study in humans, it can be concluded that ingested Pyr can cross the intestinal wall. That study showed that ingested Pyr ends up in urine in unchanged, but excretion of metabolites cannot be excluded. Pyr is most probably synthesized by bodily tissues, but solid proof seems unavailable (cf. Note 1). When it comes to health of dogs, the estimated, maximum level of Pyr in petfood may not induce adverse effects within a few months, but long-term toxicity cannot be excluded. That statement is based on short-term studies in dogs fed diets with excess of beet pulp, which is high in Pyr. The short-and long-term impact of dietary Pyr on feline health cannot be determined. It is impossible to pass judgment as to the safety or danger of Pyr in petfood (cf. Note 2). More specifically, in the absence of long-term, rodent feeding studies, it remains unpredictable whether chronic consumption of Pyr, as a component of industrially and home-made formulas, entails a health risk in dogs and cats. Pyr analyses in petfood would be instructive, but ascertainments of the compound's long-term, no-toxic-effect-level in dogs and cats are required also. Pyrraline Pyrraline (Pyr, C12H18N2O4) can be described as a pyrrole ring (C4H5N) with an aldehyde (-CHO) and hydroxymethyl (-CH2OH) group that are singly attached to the carbons neighboring the ring's nitrogen atom. That nitrogen atom may be seen as derived from the epsilon amino group of lysine (C6H14N2O2, cf. Note 1), while the atom also retained the rest of the amino acid's structure. In 1970, Jurg and Tatum (1) reported that a Pyr-like compound emerged in a mixture of D-glucose, methylamine and acetic in water, after refluxing for two hours on a steam bath. The Pyr-like reaction product is 5-hydroxymethyl-1-methylpyrrole-2-carboxaldehyde. The nitrogen atom of the product's pyrrole ring has a methyl group. At that location, Pyr has a lysine chain without epsilon amino group. In 1980, Nakayama et al. (2) described that Pyr (Ɛ-(2-formyl-5-hydroxymethyl-pyrrol-I-yl)-L-norleucine) was formed when a mixture of D-glucose and L-Iysine monohydrochloride in water was refluxed at 105 o C for 6 hours. Pyr was isolated from the brown solution, which was substantiated by mass and proton-magnetic-resonance spectroscopy (cf. Note 3). Formation and pathway
... Resistant starch, oligosac-charides, non-starch polysaccharides and fermentable fibre substances are fermented by enzymes and microorganisms in dog large intestine. Fibre is a complex and diverse group of compounds that are not easily defined or determined (Fahey et al., 1990). Dietary fibre consists of two crucial fractions (soluble dietary fibre (SDF) and insoluble dietary fibre (IDF)), and the ratio of these two fractions changes the property of dietary fibre. ...
... Because high-fiber, high-protein diets are effective in obesity management (Liu et al., 2003;Weigle et al., 2005;Soenen et al., 2012;Bermudez Sanchez et al., 2020), their influence on fecal characteristics, microbiota, and metabolites are important and were the focus of the current study. Barleybased β-glucans, beet pulp, short-chain fructooligosaccharides (scFOS), cellulose, and other fibers are known to reduce caloric density and nutrient digestibility and increase stool output (Fahey et al., 1990;Donadelli and Aldrich, 2019) responses that were observed in this study. Many of these fibers are also well recognized for their health benefits as it pertains to SCFA production and digesta viscosity, which can aid in managing obesity and metabolic disorders. ...
Obesity and estrogen reduction are known to impact the gut microbiota and gut microbial-derived metabolites in some species, but limited information is available in dogs. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of dietary macronutrient profile on apparent total tract macronutrient digestibility, fecal microbiota, and fecal metabolites of adult female dogs after spay surgery. Twenty-eight adult intact female beagles (age: 3.02 ± 0.71 yr, BW: 10.28 ± 0.77 kg; BCS: 4.98 ± 0.57) were used. After a 5-wk baseline phase (wk 0), 24 dogs were spayed and randomly allotted to one of three experimental diets (n=8/group): 1) control (CO) containing moderate protein and fiber (COSP), 2) high-protein, high-fiber (HPHF), or 3) high-protein, high-fiber plus omega-3 and medium-chain fatty acids (HPHFO). Four dogs were sham-operated and fed CO (COSH). All dogs were fed to maintain BW for 12 wk after spay, then allowed to consume twice that amount for 12 wk. Fecal samples were collected at wk 0, 12, and 24 for digestibility, microbiota, and metabolite analysis. All data were analyzed using repeated measures and linear Mixed Models procedure of SAS 9.4, with results reported as change from baseline. Apparent organic matter and energy digestibilities had greater decreases in HPHF and HPHFO than COSH and COSP. Increases in fecal acetate, total short-chain fatty acids, and secondary bile acids were greater and decreases in primary bile acids were greater in HPHF and HPHFO. Principal coordinates analysis of weighted UniFrac distances revealed that HPHF and HPHFO clustered together and separately from COSH and COSP at wk 12 and 24, with relative abundances of Faecalibacterium, Romboutsia, and Fusobacterium increasing to a greater extent and Catenibacterium, Bifidobacterium, Prevotella 9, Eubacterium, and Megamonas decreasing to a greater extent in HPHF or HPHFO. Our results suggest that high-protein, high-fiber diets alter nutrient and energy digestibilities, fecal metabolite concentrations, and fecal gut microbiota, but spay surgery had minor effects. Future research is needed to investigate how food intake, nutrient profile, and changes in hormone production influence gut microbiota and metabolites of dogs individually and how this knowledge may be used to manage spayed pets.
... Beet pulp was chosen as the fiber source because it is commonly used in commercial dog foods and provides a complex mixture of fermentable and non-fermentable carbohydrates. Inclusion of 7.5% beet pulp provides sufficient fermentable substrate to the hindgut, whereas this inclusion level does not depress normal nutrient digestibility [16]. The use of the crossover experimental design allowed us to obtain information on each dog on both diets, essentially letting each dog serve as their own control. ...
The influence of the gut microbiome on host health is becoming increasingly recognized. Although our knowledge of mammalian gut microbiomes is limited, new molecular techniques provide great opportunities. We used high throughput DNA 454‐pyrosequencing of amplicons from the hypervariable V3 region of the 16S rRNA gene to characterize gut microbiome composition in dogs fed two different diets. Six dogs were fed diets containing 0% (control; C) or 7.5% beet pulp (BP) in a crossover design with 14‐d periods. Estimates of individual microbiome diversity ranged from 198 to 513 species (cutoff: 96% similarity), slightly higher than that of humans. Three dominant bacterial phyla were detected, including Fusobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes. Fusobacteria decreased (P < 0.05) whereas Firmicutes increased (P < 0.05) when dogs were fed BP. UniFrac principal component analysis showed that microbiomes clustered by diet and that compositional changes in the phylum Firmicutes appeared to be a major contributing factor. These data suggest co‐dominance of three bacterial phyla in the dog gut compared to two in most mammals and that diet significantly altered gut microbiome composition.
... The lack of difference may be related to the high interdog variability of this measure, with individual dogs varying from 24 to 72 h. Other studies in dogs also failed to demonstrate an influence of fibre on retention time (Fahey et al. 1992). However, it is important to consider the limitations of this measurement, which only shows the time from intake to defaecation; it does not allow us to understand how long food stays in the stomach or each intestinal segment and does not show the time faeces are retained on the rectum before elimination, as faecal elimination also has behavioural implications. ...
Fermentable fibres are used in commercial dog food to promote intestinal health by providing substrates for better metabolic activity of the gut microbiota. Brazil is the world’s largest producer of oranges, from which it is possible to obtain fibre with a relevant soluble fraction. The present study compared the effects of two inclusions of orange fibre (1% and 3%, on as fed basis) with a negative control (without addition of fibre source) and two positive controls, beet pulp (3%) and purified inulin (1%), totalling five extruded diets for dogs. The experiment followed a randomised block design with 4 blocks of 10 dogs, 2 dogs per food in each block, totalling 8 dogs per diet. The apparent total tract nutrient digestibility was determined by total faecal collection. Faecal pH and fermentation product content were also measured. The digesta mean retention time (DMRT) was evaluated using plastic markers. The inclusion of a 3% fibre source in diets with 3% orange fibre and beet pulp reduced DM, OM, and energy digestibility (p < 0.05). Diets with 3% orange fibre, beet pulp and 1% inulin presented lower crude protein digestibility than the control (p < 0.05). Dietary fibre digestibility was higher for orange fibre-supplemented diets than inulin (p < 0.05). Beet pulp and 3% orange fibre inclusions resulted in increased moisture content in the faeces of dogs (p < 0.05) but did not alter DMRT. Total short-chain fatty acids were higher than the control in the faeces of dogs fed both orange fibre levels and the beet pulp-supplemented diet (p < 0.05), and the inulin diet-fed dogs presented intermediate values. Butyrate was higher in the faeces of dogs fed the diets supplemented with 1% and 3% orange fibre (p < 0.05), and similar values to the control were observed for beet pulp- and inulin-fed animals. Thus, it was concluded that orange fibre presented higher apparent total tract dietary fibre digestibility than beet pulp and had a fermentation profile in the colon that promoted the generation of butyrate, an effect not observed for inulin and beet pulp.
... However, previous analyses of these ingredients within the author's lab demonstrate oat groats have the highest soluble fiber content of select ancient grains. The inclusion of soluble fiber in the diet may also contribute to a reduction in small intestinal digestibility (Fahey et al., 1990) and increase in gut transit time, specifically in the large intestine (Meier et al., 1993). This would provide more substrate for hindgut bacterial fermentation which may explain the higher concentrations of fecal metabolites for dogs fed OG. ...
Ancient grains are becoming an increasingly abundant carbohydrate source in the pet food market as a result of their popularity and novelty in the human market. Thus, it is imperative to evaluate the characteristics of these ingredients in vivo. Ten adult intact female beagles were used in a replicated 5x5 Latin square design. Five dietary treatments were evaluated containing either: rice (CON), amaranth (AM), white proso millet (WPM), quinoa (QU), or oat groats (OG). All diets were formulated to include 40% of the test grain and to be isonitrogenous, isocaloric, and nutritionally complete and balanced for adult dogs at maintenance. The objectives were (1) to evaluate the effects of the novel carbohydrate sources on total apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD), fecal microbiota, and fermentative end-product concentrations and (2) to evaluate the effects of novel carbohydrate sources on the post-prandial glycemic and insulinemic responses in healthy adult dogs. All diets were well-accepted by the dogs and fecal scores remained within ideal range for all treatments. In terms of ATTD, all diets were well-digested by the dogs; WPM had the highest digestibility of dry and organic matter in contrast with dogs fed the other treatments (P < 0.05). Additionally, ATTD of total dietary fiber was highest for WPM (72.6%) in contrast with QU (63.5%) and CON (50.8%) but did not differ from AM (65.7%) and OG (66.6%). Dogs fed AM or OG had greater (P < 0.05) fecal concentrations of total short-chain fatty acids, as well as propionate and butyrate concentrations, than CON. Ancient grain inclusion appears to beneficially shift fecal microbial populations, with increases in relative abundances of butyrogenic bacteria (i.e., members of the Lachnospiraceae family) observed for OG and reductions in Fusobacteriaceae for both AM and OG when compared with CON. Post-prandial glycemic and insulinemic responses did not differ among treatments. Together, these data suggest that ancient grains can be included up to 40% of the diet while eliciting beneficial effects on overall host health without detrimentally affecting nutrient digestibility.
... It is commonly used for weight management and hairball control diets. Alternatively, BP is a by-product from the sugar beet industry with moderate levels of soluble fiber (Fahey et al., 1990) which is commonly described to promote moderate levels of fermentation in the colon and produce small firm stools. ...
Beet pulp (BP) and cellulose (CE) are fibrous ingredients commonly used by pet food companies to produce diets targeting weight management and gut health. Miscanthus grass (MG) is a novel fibrous ingredient that might affect food manufacturing in a similar manner to CE. The objective was to determine the effects of these three fiber sources on extrusion processing and kibble characteristics of dog foods. Diets were composed of 90% basal ration and 10% of each MG (827.4 g/kg insoluble fiber, 72.6 g/kg soluble fiber), CE (1000 g/kg insoluble fiber), or BP (360.0 g/kg insoluble fiber, 263.7 g/kg soluble fiber). Three batches of each treatment were mixed separately prior to extrusion. During production, processing conditions were recorded every 20 min after steady state was achieved. At each time point, 10 kibbles were randomly sampled to measure diameter and length out of the extruder and exiting the dryer. Sectional expansion ratio index (SEI) was calculated using the die and kibble diameter. Diet total dietary fiber (TDF) was similar among treatments (MG = 199.7 g/kg, CE = 204.7 g/kg, BP = 175.9 g/kg). The fiber source did not affect preconditioner and extruder parameters, except specific mechanical energy (SME), in which BP was higher than MG and CE (P<0.05; 111.8 vs. 108.9 and 108.7 W h/kg, respectively). Additionally, kibble from the BP diet had larger diameter and SEI than MG and CE (P<0.05). Kibbles from the BP diet tended (P>0.10) to have greater volume than MG kibbles. MG kibbles had a smaller volume than CE and BP kibbles. CE kibbles were less dense than BP kibbles. These results indicate that a diet containing MG can be processed with similar conditions to a diet containing CE. In conclusion, the extrusion parameters were minimally affected by fiber source, and differences in kibble characteristics could be corrected with modest process adjustments.
... However, this ingredient is costly compared to other dietary components. Beet pulp is another common fiber source studied in dog and cat foods for its effects on nutrient utilization (Fahey et al., 1990a(Fahey et al., , 1990b and fermentation dynamics in vitro (Sunvold et al., 1995a(Sunvold et al., , 1995b. Although cellulose and beet pulp were extensively studied and commonly used, pet food manufacturers have been in search of novel ingredients to differentiate their products from competitors and supply alternative foods to consumers. ...
Cellulose and beet pulp have been commonly used in the pet food industry to increase dietary fiber content of cat foods. However, pet food companies seek alternatives to these so-called byproducts. Miscanthus grass is grown for its fiber content and may serve as an alternative to traditional fibrous ingredients. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of fiber sources on extrusion processing and kibble structure of cat foods. Three replicate batches of adult maintenance complete and balanced cat foods each containing 10% of Miscanthus grass, cellulose, or beet pulp was mixed and kibbles were produced on a single screw extruder. Feed rate, preconditioner water and steam, extruder screw speed, extruder water and steam addition, and knife speed were adjusted to achieve a wet bulk density of 330 g*L -1. After extrusion, kibbles were dried at 115.5ºC to less than 10% moisture. Dried kibbles were coated with chicken fat and flavor enhancer. No effects due to fiber source were reported for extrusion parameters or kibble measurements (P > 0.05) with the exception of compression energy; wherein, kibbles produced with cellulose required more energy to compress than those containing beet pulp (6917 N*mm vs. 3591 N*mm, respectively). In conclusion, tested fiber sources had no impact on extrusion parameters and most kibble characteristics. Kibbles containing cellulose required more energy to compress than kibbles containing beet pulp. Miscanthus grass could be used as an alternative to traditional fiber sources used to produce cat foods.
... Overfeeding" 2010 (33): "Using foods with increased fiber levels has been reported to help" Interestingly, the last quote is at odds with second to last quote, whereas both quotes are taken from the same authors. Foods with increased fiber levels, be it insoluble or soluble fiber, generally lower net total-tract digestion of dietary dry matter in dogs (34,35). Thus, high-fiber foods, as advised in the last quote, tend to be less digestible foods, which should be avoided, as implied by the second to last quote. ...
Diet and canine coprophagy Coprophagy, or stool eating, is a common behavior among dogs. For several weeks after puppies are born, bitches ingest their feces, likely for hygienic purpose. Quite a few dogs eat feces of hoofed animals, their own feces and/or that of other adult dogs. Coprophagic behavior is clinical when caused by digestive disease (1) or chronic stress (2, Note 1). Otherwise, it might be considered normal canine behavior. But dogs' risk of contracting certain parasites is increased by ingesting feces of conspecifics (Note 2). In addition, the habit of dogs eating feces disgusts many owners. A web-page survey completed by 1475 dog owners found that 16% of pet dogs engaged in frequent eating of their own or other dogs' feces (3, Note 3). The conspecific coprophagy was mainly directed at feces no more than two days old (3). The web-page survey (3) and two other questionnaire-based studies (4, 5) did not ascertain an association between type of diet and coprophagy. The paper on the large-scale study states explicitly that the vast majority of the dogs was fed on dry food (3). Thus, an association between diet and coprophagy, if there is any, was undetectable beforehand due to limited variation of diet type. Unsubstantiated theories have advanced that diet affects canine coprophagy. More specifically, high carbohydrate (starch) intake, insufficient supply of vitamin B1 (thiamine), diets with below-average digestibility and low-fiber diets have all been suggested to promote coprophagic behavior (Notes 4, 5). None of the diet factors proposed to initiate or intensify canine coprophagy is backed by available research data. As to dietary behavior, the recent web-page survey (3) shows that greedy eating is associated with coprophagy. Various dietary supplements, in the form of chewable tablets or powders, are marketed as coprophagy deterrents for dogs eating their own feces (Note 6). Presumably in response to the unsubstantiated theories on diet and canine coprophagy, several supplements contain thiamin and digestive enzymes, including alpha-amylase which breaks down starch. Most products enclose substances that allegedly make stool less appealing to dogs. A commonly used substance in coprophagy deterrents is an extract from the desert plant Yucca schidigera, but there is no convincing experimental evidence for its efficacy. Three questionnaire-based studies indicate that coprophagy-treatment products are not very successful and that preventing access to feces is the most commonly used and most effective way to stop canine coprophagy (3, 5, 6). In conclusion, there is no demonstrable evidence, in the form of outcomes of controlled studies, that even one of the proposed diet changes significantly diminishes canine coprophagy. The same holds for the coprophagy deterrents on the market. In itself, the principle of making feces repellant by a safe dietary constituent or supplement seems achievable. Clearly, its application would be primarily autocoprophagy-directed. Carbohydrate intake In 1973, Kronfeld published his diet-intervention study in a group of 16 racing sled dogs that performed poorly (7). The article states that all dogs practiced coprophagy and that it was said to be a general problem. Type of coprophagy (allo-and/or autocoprophagy) and housing (individually or in
... In the combined dataset, when adding trophic level as a cofactor, it was significant in the case of food intake, digestibility and gut content in both GLS and PGLS (Table 4), most likely because trophic level and phylogeny did not reflect the same patterns in these cases (with pandas resembling other herbivores more than other Carnivora). For models Table 1 Estimation equations for metabolisable energy (ME) in diets, dry matter digestibility (aD DM) of diets and maintenance energy requirements (MER) of carnivores (NRC, 2006 (Clemens and Stevens, 1980;Burrows et al., 1982;Fahey et al., 1990a;Fahey et al., 1990b;Fahey et al., 1992;Lefebvre et al., 2001;Rolfe et al., 2002;Hernot et al., 2005;Childs- If nutrient composition is estimated and DM intake and aD DM are not, it means that the DM% was estimated to calculate DM intake from fresh matter intake; N°= number, DM = dry matter, aD DM = dry matter digestibility, RT = retention time, DMC = dry matter gut contents. A. De Cuyper, et al. ...
The general observation that secondary consumers ingest highly digestible food and have simple short guts and small abdominal cavities intuitively results in the assumption that mammalian carnivores carry less digesta in their gut compared to herbivores. Due to logistic constraints, this assumption has not been tested quantitatively so far. In this contribution, we estimated the dry matter gut contents (DMC) for 25 of the order Carnivora (including two strictly herbivorous ones, the giant and the red panda) using the physical 'Occupancy Principle', based on a literature data collection on dry matter intake (DMI), apparent dry matter digestibility (aD DM) and retention time (RT), and compared the results to an existing collection for herbivores. Scaling exponents with body mass (BM) for both carnivores and herbivores were in the same range with DMI ~ BM0.75; aD DM ~ BM0; RT ~ BM0.11 and DMC ~ BM0.88. The trophic level (carnivore vs herbivore) significantly affected all digestive physiology parameters except for RT. Numerically, the carnivore DMI level reached 77%, the RT 32% and DMC only 29% of the corresponding herbivore values, whereas the herbivore aD DM only reached 82% of that of carnivores. Thus, we quantitatively show that carnivores carry less inert mass or gut content compared to herbivores, which putatively benefits them in predator-prey interactions and might have contributed to the evolution towards unguligradism in herbivores. As expected, the two panda species appeared as outliers in the dataset with low aD DM and RT for a herbivore but extremely high DMI values, resulting in DMC in the lower part of the herbivore range. Whereas the difference in DMI and DMC scaling in herbivores might allow larger herbivores to compensate for lower diet quality by ingesting more, this difference may allow larger carnivores not to go for less digestible prey parts, but mainly to increase meal intervals, i.e. not having to hunt on a daily basis.
... An increase in fecal DM content can best be explained by the increase in DM percentage of the diets or the increase in digestibility as fat increased. Fahey et al. (1990) reported a decrease in fecal DM as diets became less digestible. Organic matter, CP, fat, and GE of fecal samples were not different (P ≥ 0.10). ...
Pet foods may be formulated with decreased starch to meet consumer demands for less processed diets. Fats and oils may be added to low starch diets to meet energy requirements, but little is known about its effects on canine health. The study objective was to evaluate the effects of feeding healthy adult dogs low carbohydrate, high-fat diets on apparent total tract digestibility, fecal characteristics, and overall health status. Eight adult beagles were enrolled in a replicated 4x4 Latin Square design feeding trial. Dogs were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 dietary fat level treatments (T) within each period: 32% (T1), 37% (T2), 42% (T3), and 47% (T4) fat on a dry matter basis. Fat levels were adjusted with inclusion of canola oil added to a commercial diet. Each dog was fed to exceed their energy requirement based on NRC (2006). Blood samples were analyzed for complete blood counts, chemistry profiles, and canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity levels. Apparent total tract digestibility improved (P < 0.05) as the fat level increased for dry matter, organic matter, fat, and gross energy. Fecal output decreased as levels of fat increased in the diet (P = 0.002). There was no effect of fat level on stool quality or short chain fatty acid and ammonia concentrations in fecal samples (P ≥ 0.20). Blood urea nitrogen levels decreased with increased fat level (P = 0.035). No significant differences were seen in canine pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (P = 0.110). All blood parameters remained within normal reference intervals. In summary, increased dietary fat improved apparent total tract digestibility, did not alter fecal characteristics, and maintained the health status of all dogs.
... In dogs, higher dietary levels (≥ 5% in dry food) of cellulose (26,27), beet pulp (28,29) or psyllium seed (30,31) accelerate chyme passage and increase both feces volume and defecation frequency. The studies also showed that cellulose lowers water content of feces to a limited degree, whereas beet pulp and psyllium seed have a clear increasing effect. ...
... Carciofi et al. (2008) also reported a lower fecal DM in dogs fed diets containing peas and lentil. Similar results were observed by Fahey et al. (1990) who reported a linear increase in wet fecal weight as percentage of dietary beet pulp increased. Intriguingly, fecal score and number of defecations per day were not statistically different. ...
The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of ancient grain and grain-free carbohydrate sources on extrusion process, nutrient utilization, and palatability by dogs. Two maintenance dog diets were formulated with same proportions of carbohydrates: 1) ancient grain diet (AG) with spelt, millet, and sorghum; and 2) grain-free diet (GF) which had potato, peas, and tapioca starch. Experimental diets were extruded over 5 replicates in a completely randomized experimental design. Digestibility was carried out with 12 dogs in a switch-back experimental design. The GF diet required 22.6 and 25.9% more (P < 0.05) specific mechanical energy and in-barrel moisture input, respectively, than AG to produce kibbles out of the extruder with similar bulk density (P > 0.05). After drying, GF kibbles were less dense and more expanded, but harder than AG kibbles (P < 0.05). Dogs preferred GF over AG in the palatability assessment of uncoated kibbles. Apparent nutrient digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, gross energy, crude protein, and crude fat were not affected by treatment (P > 0.05). However, total dietary fiber (TDF) digestibility was 31.9% greater for dogs fed GF (P < 0.05). Moreover, wet fecal output was higher, and fecal dry matter was lower for dogs under GF (P < 0.05). The results demonstrated that GF and AG diets behaved differently during extrusion, but were similarly utilized by dogs, with exception of TDF. Thus, fiber content of grain-free diets should be monitored to maximize fecal quality.
... Similar to cellulose addition, there is a concentration dependent effect of BP addition to the diet. Fahey et al., (1990a) reported a linear decrease in DM, OM, and fat digestibility as the BP content of the diet increased from 0% to 12.5% in 2.5% intervals. However, fiber sources like beet pulp do not reduce the calorie content to the degree cellulose does. ...
Dogs can benefit from dietary fibers. Traditionally, cellulose and beet pulp have been used by pet food companies as insoluble and soluble fiber sources. Miscanthus grass is a novel fiber ingredient made from Miscanthus giganteus, a C4 grass produced for its fiber content, but it has not been evaluated for dogs. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of different fiber sources on nutrient utilization and stool consistency by dogs. Twelve Beagle dogs were fed three dietary treatments varying in their fiber sources (beet pulp - BP, cellulose - CE, Miscanthus grass - MG). Diets were fed for a 14-d period (9 d adaptation), fecal samples were collected (5 d total fecal collection) and scored. Nutrient digestibility was estimated using total fecal collection (TFC). Dogs fed BP diet had softer stools than dogs fed CE and MG (3.15 vs. 3.68 and 3.64, respectively). Wet fecal output was higher for dogs fed CE compared to MG, with dogs fed BP having the lowest values (254.3 g vs. 241.6 g vs. 208.5 g, respectively). Both digestibility methods ranked dietary treatments similarly. Dogs fed CE and MG had lower dry matter (DM) digestibility than dogs fed BP (P < 0.05), dogs fed BP had lower crude protein (CP) digestibility compared to dogs fed MG and CE (81.4% vs. 85.5% and 85.8%, respectively). In conclusion, Miscanthus grass could be used as an alternative fiber source to cellulose.
... Carciofi et al. (2008) also reported a lower fecal DM in dogs fed diets containing peas and lentil. Similar results were observed by Fahey et al. (1990) who reported a linear increase in wet fecal weight as percentage of dietary beet pulp increased. Intriguingly, fecal score and number of defecations per day were not statistically different. ...
The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of ancient grain and grain free carbohydrate sources on extrusion process, nutrient utilization, and palatability by dogs. Two maintenance dog diets were formulated with same proportions of carbohydrates: 1) Ancient grain diet (AG) with spelt, millet and sorghum; and 2) Grain free diet (GF) which had potato, peas and tapioca starch. Experimental diets were extruded over five replicates in a completely randomized experimental design. Digestibility was carried out with twelve dogs in a switch back experimental design. The GF diet required 22.6% and 25.9% more (P < 0.05) specific mechanical energy and in-barrel moisture input, respectively, than AG to produce kibbles out of the extruder with similar bulk density (P > 0.05). After drying, GF kibbles were less dense and more expanded, but harder than AG kibbles (P< 0.05). Dogs preferred GF over AG in the palatability assessment of uncoated kibbles. Apparent nutrient digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, gross energy, crude protein, and crude fat were not affected by treatment (P > 0.05). However, total dietary fiber (TDF) digestibility was 31.9% greater for dogs fed GF (P < 0.05). Moreover, wet fecal output was higher, and fecal dry matter was lower for dogs under GF (P < 0.05). The results demonstrated that GF and AG diets behaved differently during extrusion, but were similarly utilized by dogs, with exception of TDF. Thus, fiber content of grain-free diets should be monitored to maximize fecal quality.
... The 3 fiber treatments were formulated to have approximately 15% TDF and the NF treatment to have 5% TDF. The SBH and BP treatments had slightly higher TDF contents (16.6% and 17.1%, respectively), but this is not surprising as TDF content of these dietary fibers can vary depending on the source ( Fahey et al., 1990;Sunvold et al., 1995b;Cole et al., 1999). Also, as expected, the insoluble and soluble fractions differed among fiber treatments. ...
Dietary fibers have gained renewed interest in companion animal nutrition as a means to manage pet obesity and improve gut and host health. Soybean hulls (SBH), a co-product of the soybean oil extraction process, is an accessible and economical fiber source. However, limited research is available on the use of SBH in feline nutrition. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the effects of a high SBH inclusion level on daily food intake, apparent total tract (ATT) macronutrient digestibility, fecal quality, and fecal fermentative end-products in diets of adult cats. Four diets were formulated with either SBH, beet pulp (BP), or cellulose (CL) as the main source of dietary fiber, with the control diet formulated with no added fiber (NF). The fiber treatments were formulated to achieve approximately 15% total dietary fiber (TDF). Eight adult male cats (mean age = 10.5 yr ± 0.1; mean BW = 6.1 ± 0.8 kg) were used in a replicated 4x4 Latin square design. Each period consisted of 14 d, with 10 d of diet adaptation followed by 4 d of total fecal and urine collections. Food was offered twice daily and cats were fed to maintain body weight. Food intake on a dry matter basis (DMB) was lower (P < 0.05) in cats fed BP (55.2 g/d) when compared to SBH (70.8 g/d). As-is fecal output did not differ in cats fed BP or SBH and, when expressed on a DMB, fecal output did not differ among fiber treatments. The ATT digestibility of DM, OM, and GE were greater (P < 0.05) in cats fed NF when compared to those fed BP, CL, or SBH. Cats fed CL had the greatest (P < 0.05) ATT CP digestibility (88.5%), followed by cats fed NF (84.9) and SBH (81.7%) with the lowest values (77%) noted for cats fed BP. Acid hydrolyzed fat (AHF) digestibility was greater for cats fed CL (92.9%) than for cats fed BP (86.9%) and SBH (88.6%). The TDF ATT digestibility was lowest for cats fed NF and CL (8.5 and 15.1%, respectively), followed by SBH (18.0%), with BP having the highest digestibility (33.7%). Total short-chain fatty acid concentration was greatest (P < 0.05) in cats fed BP (699.7 μmole/g) when compared to the other three treatments, while phenol and indole concentrations did not differ among treatments. In conclusion, a high inclusion level (15% TDF) of SBH appears acceptable in diets for adult cats, resulting in no negative effects on daily food intake, fecal scores, and similar ATT digestibility for most macronutrients when compared to BP and CL.
The use of fruit fibres as a way of reusing industrial waste is attractive and necessary, increasing the efficiency and reducing the environmental impact of the industry. This study characterized guava fibre as a fibrous ingredient and evaluated its effects when included in extruded diets for dogs on nutrient digestibility, faecal traits, fermentation products, gastrointestinal transit time and palatability. Four diets were formulated: CO (control diet, no fibrous ingredients added), GF3 (3% guava fibre), GF6 (6% guava fibre) and GF12 (12% guava fibre). The guava fibre was added to diets in replacement of maize, with small adjustments in the other ingredients to ensure similar contents of protein and fat. The diets were fed to 24 adult Beagle dogs (6 per diet) during 15 days for adaptation followed by 15 days for assessment of digestibility, fermentation end products and gastrointestinal transit time. The palatability of G6 and G12 treatments was evaluated against the CO by the two‐pan test. Results were compared by analysis of variance and polynomial contrasts according to the guava fibre inclusion level ( p < 0.05). The addition of guava fibre did not change nutrient intake except for the increase on dietary fibre ( p < 0.001). Fibre inclusion resulted in a quadratic reduction in total tract apparent digestibility for dry matter, organic matter, crude protein and crude energy ( p < 0.001), and on the metabolizable energy content of the foods ( p < 0.001). Guava fibre addition did not change the faecal concentration of ammonia, lactic acid, faecal pH and branched chain fatty acids but it decreased acetic and propionic acids concentration ( p < 0.01). The inclusion of 12% guava fibre did result in a faster transit time ( p = 0.046) compared to the control diet. Guava fibre can be characterized as a novel insoluble non‐fermentable fibre source that could be safely used in levels up to 12% in canine extruded diets.
The role of dogs and cats in the society has changed much over the past 50 years. They have migrated from the barn to the backyard and now into the house. As a result, our relationship has changed how we care and feed them. With that we have expanded our knowledge regarding their nutritional needs and idiosyncrasies as well as introduced a wide array of new foods and formats. Commercial pet food began in 1850, became more mainstream in the 1950s following human food processing technologies, and product offerings have expanded greatly since 2000. Most of the ingredients used to make these foods are the same or coproducts from the human food market, though an expanding array of nontraditional, alternative, and exotic ingredients are being considered. The three primary processes to produce pet foods include extrusion, canning, and baking, with several innovative technologies borrowed from the human foods industry to create products that mimic the pet owner's diet. Since most pets live in the home today and share family spaces, food safety has become a major concern for the pet food industry. The use of preservatives and pathogen controls have become more important. Where the future of pet food will lead us is a fascinating area to be discovered.
Fat has high energy density and is considered one of the primary energy sources for dogs, however, increasing fat level in dry dog food has been challenging due to the lubrication and limitation of the coating system. The objective was to determine the effect of whole soybeans (WSB) on nutrient digestibility, stool quality, and palatability by dogs. The corn gluten meal, chicken fat, and brewers rice were replaced by WSB at 10, 20, and 30% (WSB10, WSB20, and WSB30, respectively) in the base diet (WSB0). Twelve beagles were randomly assigned. The digestibility trial was duplicated 4 × 4 Latin square design where dogs were allowed a 9-d adaptation followed by a 5-d total fecal collection for each period. Least-square means were analyzed with a single degree of freedom contrasts and significance at α = 0.05. Palatability was determined with a 2-bowl test by 20 beagles for 2 d with each WSB diet compared to the WSB0. First choice preference between two diets and total food consumption were recorded. Individual intake ratios (IR) were calculated (intake of each diet/total intake) for each dog. First choice (FC) was analyzed by a Chi-square probability, and the diet consumption was compared by a Wilcoxon signed rank test and a 2-way analysis of variance. Fecal moisture, output, and defecation frequency increased linearly (P < 0.05) as WSB increased. Apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, fat, and gross energy decreased linearly (P < 0.05) as dogs fed the increased level of WSB. The fresh fecal pH in dogs decreased linearly (P < 0.05) as WSB content increased. The acetate, propionate, and the total short-chain fatty acid concentration increased linearly (P < 0.05) while the total branched-chain fatty acid concentration decreased linearly (P < 0.05) as WSB increased. Dogs had greater (P < 0.05) FC for WSB diets than WSB0, but there was no difference among treatments for diet consumption and IR. In conclusion, additional thermal processing before extrusion may improve nutrient digestibility of WSB. The stool quality and palatability were not affected, and fermentation in hindgut increased by WSB by dogs.
In-home pet food testing has the benefit of yielding data which is directly applicable to the pet population. Validated and standardised in-home test protocols need to be available and here we investigated key protocol requirements for an in-home canine food digestibility protocol. Participants were recruited via an online survey. After meeting specific inclusion criteria, 60 dogs of various breeds and ages received during 14 consecutive days, a relatively low and high digestible complete dry extruded food containing titanium (Ti) dioxide. Both foods were given for seven days in a cross-over design. Owners collected faeces daily allowing daily faecal Ti concentrations and digestibility of nitrogen (N), dry matter, crude ash, organic matter, crude fat (Cfat), starch and gross energy to be determined. Faecal Ti and digestibility values for all nutrients were not different ( P >0.05) from the second day onwards after first consumption for both foods. One day of faecal collection yielded reliable digestibility values with additional collection days not reducing the confidence interval around the mean. Depending on the accepted margin of error, the food and the nutrient of interest, the minimal required sample size was between 9-43 dogs. Variation in digestibility values could in part be explained by a dog’s neuter status (N, crude ash) and age (crude ash, Cfat), but not sex and body size. Future studies should focus on further identifying and controlling sources of variation to improve the in-home digestibility protocol and reduce the number of dogs required.
We are in an era of changing climate, global warming, disturbed rainfall patterns,
droughts, and floods, all of which are major stresses on food production systems.
This situation demands devising and implementing novel solutions to boost
productivity and farmers’ profitability as well as restore and preserve terrestrial
ecosystems. Grasses and Grassland - New Perspectives discusses grassland management, utilization, and restoration under the changing climate. It also includes vital
information on potential uses and future perspectives of many grass species.
This book includes two sections. The first section, “Trends in Grassland
Management,” presents fundamental concepts, recent knowledge, and advancements in the management, economic utilization, effective restoration, and viable
preservation of grasslands. The second section, “Underutilized Grasses Production
Potential,” discusses grasses that have remained neglected despite their potential to
ensure food security for the skyrocketing population under changing climate and
global warming.
Dietary fiber has become increasingly recognized as a key factor in maintaining gastrointestinal health. Dietary fiber sources are often comprised of several different fiber fractions, each with unique physico-chemical properties. These properties can have varying physiological effects on the gastrointestinal tract that include modulation of microbiota, production of fermentation-derived metabolites, and laxation. The objectives of this study were 1) to determine the effects of a novel dietary fiber source, miscanthus grass fiber (MF), and prebiotic and fiber blends on gastrointestinal tolerance, apparent total tract digestibility, fecal metabolites, and fecal microbiota; and 2) to evaluate the palatability of extruded diets containing MF in comparison to traditional dietary fiber sources. All animal procedures were approved by the University of Illinois Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. Six dietary treatments were formulated to meet or exceed AAFCO nutrient profile (2018) and included either cellulose (CO), beet pulp (BP), MF, or a blend of MF and tomato pomace, MF and resistant starch, or MF and fructooligosaccharide. Twelve adult neutered female beagles (mean age 5.8 ± 1.1 yr; mean body weight 10.9 ± 1.0 kg; mean body condition score 5.7 ± 0.7) were randomly assigned to one of the six treatment diets in a replicated 6 x 6 Latin square design. Each dog was fed their assigned diet for a treatment period of 21 d with 17 d of diet adaptation followed by 4 d of total and fresh fecal collection. All diets were well accepted and digested by the dogs. Dogs fed BP had greater fecal total short-chain fatty acid concentration than the CO treatment (P < 0.05), while the dogs fed diets containing MF were intermediate. In a two-bowl palatability trial, no significant preference was observed between the extruded diets containing MF and CO (P > 0.05). However, a significant preference for the extruded diet containing BP over the diet containing only MF was observed (P < 0.05). The α-diversity of fecal microbial communities was not impacted by treatment (P > 0.05), but β-diversity indicated that dogs fed the BP diet differed from the other treatment groups (P < 0.05). The data from this study suggest that miscanthus grass can be successfully utilized in fiber blends in extruded diets for adult dogs, with modulatory effects similar to the traditional dietary fiber source, cellulose.
This study assessed the effects of a diet containing avocado meal (AMD), an underutilized by-product avocado oil processing, on apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) and fecal fermentative end-products when compared with beet pulp (BPD) and cellulose (CD) diets targeting 15% total dietary fiber (TDF). The concentration of persin, a natural fungicidal toxin present in avocado, was also determined on several parts of the fruit and avocado meal. Nine intact female beagles (4.9 ± 0.6 yr and 11.98 ± 1.76 kg) were randomly grouped in a 3 × 3 replicated Latin square design. Periods were 14 d long, with 10 d of adaptation followed by 4 d of total fecal and urine collection for apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) calculations. Fresh fecals were analyzed for fermentative end-products. The BPD (87.0 g/d) caused higher (P < 0.05) fecal output (as-is basis) than AMD (62.3 g/d) and CD (58.0 g/d). Fecal score for the BPD (3.1) was greater (P < 0.05) than for AMD (2.8) or CD (2.6). Acid-hydrolyzed fat ATTD was lower (P < 0.05) for the BPD (94.1%) than for the AMD (95.5%) and CD (95.7%). Crude protein ATTD was greater (P < 0.05) for the CD (88.5%) than the AMD (82.2%) or BPD (83.7%). Dogs fed AMD (49.9%) or BPD (51.0%) exhibited greater (P < 0.05) TDF ATTD than CD. The fermentative profile for the AMD (233.4, 70.9, 8.8, and 12.0 μmole/g DM, respectively) was similar (P > 0.05) to the CD (132.9, 61.7, 7.5, and 9.5 μmole/g DM, respectively) profile, with lower (P < 0.05) concentrations of acetate and propionate and higher (P < 0.05) concentrations of isovalerate and indoles compared to the BPD. Dogs fed AMD (47.0 μmole/g DM) or BPD (54.2 μmole/g DM) exhibited similar (P > 0.05) fecal butyrate concentrations greater (P < 0.05) than for CD (24.7 μmole/g DM). Given these results, avocado meal appears to be an adequate dietary fiber source when compared with traditional fiber sources used in canine diets. No health adverse effects were observed in dogs fed extruded diet containing as much as 18% of avocado meal (as-is basis).
Raw ingredients commonly used in the cat food manufacturing are derived fromvarious sources such as meat, meat by products, fish, poultry, vegetables, vegetables byproducts, cereals, fruits, and bones. Meat meal and meat bone meal are unpopular rawingredients since they are manufactured from carcasses and offal of cows, pigs, goats andsheep and may even contain deleterious and unhealthy ingredients. There is the possibility ofthe occurrence of ingredients containing non halal components. There are several types of catfood in the market which are graded based on their ingredients and nutritive values especiallythe protein content. The biological values of the popular protein sources used in cat foodmanufacturing were highlighted. The importance of carbohydrate content, which is mostlynot available on the packaging pack is emphasized and the method of calculation shown.
This study was aimed to evaluate and compare the nutrient digestibility of grain-inclusive and grain-free commercial dry dog foods using the method of total fecal collection and also explore their effects on fecal consistency. 21 different foods, including 14 grain-inclusive (7 grain-chicken meat, 7 grain-lamb meat) and 7 grain-free were investigated. 12 adult Golden retriever dogs (age 3-4 years, body weight=22.5±1.7kg) were divided into 3 groups. The results of digestibility trials indicated that the grain-lamb meat foods showed the highest digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, and crude fiber. Overall, in the grain-inclusive and grain-free group evaluation, grain-inclusive foods showed higher digestibility of crude fibers while grain-free foods had higher ether extract digestibility whereas the differences in the scores of fecal consistencies between the groups were insignificant. Contrary to popular belief, grain-inclusive foods were more digestive than grain-free foods in terms of dry matter and organic matter. There are studies involving starch sources in the dog food formulations, but there is a need to study the digestibility of complete dog food to supply them with adequate nutrients. Also, each diet should be assessed based on its overall nutrient profile and digestibility rather than individual ingredients.
Insects can serve as a novel high-quality protein source for pet foods. However, there is an absence of research investigating the use of insects in pet food. The study objective was to evaluate the apparent total tract digestibility and possible health effects of diets containing graded levels of cricket (Gryllodes sigillatus) meal fed to healthy adult dogs. Thirty-two adult Beagles were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 dietary treatments: 0%, 8%, 16%, or 24% cricket meal. Dogs were fed their respective diet for a total of 29 days with a 6-d collection phase. Fecal samples were collected daily during the collection phase to measure total fecal output as well as apparent total tract digestibility for dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, fat, total dietary fiber, and gross energy. Blood samples were taken prior to the study and on d 29 for hematology and chemistry profiles. Data were analyzed in a mixed model including the fixed effects of diet and sex. Total fecal output increased on both an as-is (P = 0.030) and dry matter basis (P = 0.024). The apparent total tract digestibility of each nutrient decreased (P < 0.001) with the increasing level of cricket meal inclusion. All blood values remained within desired reference intervals indicating healthy dogs. Slight fluctuations in blood urea nitrogen (P = 0.037) and hemoglobin (P = 0.044) levels were observed but were not considered of biological significance. Even with the decrease in digestibility with the inclusion of cricket meal, diets remained highly digestible at greater than 80% total apparent digestibility. In conclusion, crickets were demonstrated to be an acceptable ingredient for dog diets.
Dietary fibers can influence a dog’s overall health, but high concentrations of soluble dietary fibers can cause soft stools. An in vitro model could be useful to predict the rate fibers are fermented once they reach the colon. Pet food companies are constantly searching for new ingredients to differentiate their products from competitors. Miscanthus grass (MG), pea fiber (PF), and sorghum bran (SB) are novel fiber sources that could be alternatives to standards like cellulose (CE) and beet pulp (BP). The objectives of the study were to determine the effects of fiber source on organic matter disappearance (OMD), estimated organic matter disappearance (EOMD), and fermentation end-product concentrations using an in vitro fermentation procedure and dog fecal inoculum. Total dietary fiber (TDF) residues from MG, CE, BP, PF, and SB were fermented in vitro with buffered dog feces. Fecal samples were collected and maintained in anaerobic conditions until the dilution and inoculation. Test tubes containing the fibrous substrates were incubated for 4, 8, and 12 h at 39ºC. Short chain fatty acids (SCFA), branched chain fatty acids (BCFA), OMD, and EOMD were determined for each fiber source and time point. Beet pulp had the highest OMD, EOMD, and SCFA production of all tested fiber sources (38.6% OMD, 26.2% EOMD, 2.72 mmol SCFA/g of substrate). Sorghum bran led to greater concentrations of BCFA (59.86 µmol/g of substrate) and intermediate OMD and EOMD compared to the other tested fibers. Cellulose and MG were poorly fermented with the lowest OMD, EOMD, SCFA, and BCFA compared to other fibers. In conclusion, MG could be used as an insoluble minimally fermentable replacement fiber for CE in dog foods.
A rapid and accurate atomic absorption method for the determination of chromium in faeces samples from pasture experiments using chromic oxide ‘markers’ is described. Of the elements present after ashing and digesting the samples in a phosphoric acid—manganese sulphate—potassium bromate solution silicate, aluminium, calcium and magnesium were found to interfere in the determination. The effects of these interferences were overcome by the addition of calcium to the test solution and by the addition of silicate to the standards, which were prepared in ‘blank’ solutions.
The sensitivities of a number of alternate chromium resonance lines relative to that of Cr 3578·7 Å. are given. These lines may be used to increase the concentration range of the analysis.
The results of a comparison of the atomic absorption method with a chemical method are given.
Two commercial type diets, one a cereal based dry food, the other a fortified all meat canned food were fed to male and female adult beagle dogs to evaluate effects of diet on rate of digesta passage and organic acid concentration along the gastrointestinal tract. Passage of fluid and particulate markers through the tract was fairly rapid. The stomach was the major site of digesta marker retention, especially particulate marker. There was no other point along the tract where particulate markers were selec tively retained. The rate of passage for the meat diet was slower than for the cereal diet. The pH of the stomach dropped significantly 2 hours post- feeding, continued to drop at 4 and 8 hours, then increased rapidly by 12 hours, reflecting changes in stomach fill. The pH of digesta in the cecum and colon of cereal fed dogs was significantly lower than that of meat fed dogs. Concentrations of lactic acid in the various segments of the gastro intestinal tract were generally greater in cereal fed dogs except for the stomach where the concentration was the highest for dogs fed meat at a period 2 hours post-feeding. Concentrations of VFA were highest in the cecum and colon and were not significantly affected by diet. The nutritional and possible physiological importance is discussed. J. Nutr. 109: 1592-
A collaborative study was conducted to determine the total dietary fiber (TDF) content of food and food products, using a combination of enzymatic and gravimetric procedures. The method was basically the same as published earlier (J. Assoc. Off. Anal. Chem. (1984) 67, 1044-1052), with changes in the concentration of alcohol and buffers, time of incubation, sample preparation, and some explanatory notes, all with the intent of decreasing the coefficient of variation (CV) of the method. Duplicate blind samples of soy isolate, white wheat flour, rye bread, potatoes, rice, wheat bran, oats, corn bran, and whole wheat flour were analyzed by 9 collaborators. TDF was calculated as the weight of the residue minus the weight of protein and ash. CV values of the data from all laboratories for 7 of the samples ranged from 1.56 to 9.80%. The rice and soy isolate samples had CV values of 53.71% and 66.25%, respectively; however, each sample contained only about 1% TDF. The enzymatic-gravimetric method for determining TDF has been adopted official first action.
A new liquid marker, cobalt-ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), and two solid markers, chromium (Cr) and cerium (Ce) mordanted plant cell walls, were investigated. Synthesis and methods of analysis are described for the markers. The Cr- and Ce-cell wall complexes were tested for stability to EDTA, hydrochloric acid and rumen microorganisms. Plant cell walls were rendered indigestible by mordanting with Cr and 98% of the marker remained on the fibre after a simulated sequence (in vitro) of digestion. Ce-mordanted cell walls were 35% digestible in vitro using a rumen culture, and 56% of the marker could be washed off the remaining fibre. Treatment with EDTA removed all Ce and 15% of the Cr. Hydrochloric acid (0.01M) had a negligible effect on the removal of Cr from the cell walls, whereas 0.1M acid removed, on average, 10% of the marker. Losses of Cr from the mordant may be related to the quality of the preparation. Co-EDTA was found to be comparable to Cr-EDTA. The urinary excretion of Cr and Co was 2–3% in most animals except in rabbits, which excreted as much as 30% of the liquid markers in the urine.
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Effects of cellulose, pectin and guar gum on gastric emptying, digestibility and absorption i n resting dogs
- V De Haan
- L Istasse
- S Jakovljevic
- I Duframe
- J M Bienfait
de Haan, V., L. Istasse, S. Jakovljevic, I. Duframe and J. M.
Bienfait. 1989. Effects of cellulose, pectin and guar
gum on gastric emptying, digestibility and absorption
i n resting dogs. Roc. Nutr. SOC. (Abstr.) p 31.