Evaluation of graded levels of corn-fermented protein on stool quality, apparent nutrient digestibility, and palatability in healthy adult cats

Abstract

Dried distillers’ grains, co-products from the ethanol industry, may provide sustainable ingredients for pet food. Due to new post-fermentation separation techniques, corn fermented protein (CFP) is higher in protein and lower in fiber compared to traditional dried distillers’ grains, increasing its appeal for inclusion into pet food. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to determine the effects of increasing levels of CFP on stool quality, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD), and palatability in adult cats. Four extruded diets were fed to 11 adult cats in an incomplete 4x4 replicated Latin square design. The control diet contained 15% soybean meal (0C) and CFP was exchanged for soybean meal at either 5%, 10%, or 15% (5C, 10C, 15C). Cats were fed each dietary treatment for 9-d adaption followed by 5-d total fecal collection. Feces were scored on a 1-5 scale, with 1 representing liquid diarrhea and 5 representing hard pellet-like (Carciofi et al., 2008). A fecal score of 3.5-4 was considered ideal. Titanium dioxide was added to all diets (0.4%) as a marker to estimate digestibility. Data were analyzed using a mixed model in SAS (version 9.4, SAS Institute, Inc., Cary, NC) with treatment as a fixed effect and cat and period as random effects. Fecal dry matter percent and dry fecal output were greater (P < 0.05) at elevated levels of CFP. Stool scores were maintained (P > 0.05) throughout treatments (average; 4). Dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, and gross energy ATTD decreased when cats were fed 15C. There was no difference in ATTD of fat or total dietary fiber among treatments. For palatability assessment, cats preferred 5C over 0C but had no preference with increased CFP inclusion. These results suggest that CFP is comparable to SBM but there may be a maximum inclusion level of 10% when fed to cats.

Degradation of Zearalenone by Dielectric Barrier Discharge Cold Plasma and Its Effect on Maize Quality

“…The protein is mostly distributed between the endosperm and the germ; meanwhile, the coarse fiber is a characteristic composition of the epidermis [ 38 ]. In general, when maize was used as feed, the lower fiber content and higher protein content were often considered to have better palatability [ 39 ]. From the results, the effect of cold plasma treatment on the quality of maize is generally acceptable, and it can even improve the quality in some aspects.…”

Evaluation of graded levels of corn fermented protein on extrusion processing and diet utilization in healthy adult dogs

“…The digestibility of diets containing increasing levels of CFP when fed to dogs differed relative to that observed in cats. Kilburn-Kappeler et al (2022) reported that digestibility of diets containing 5% and 10% CFP was comparable to the control when fed to cats. However, a significant decrease in digestibility was observed when cats were fed diets containing 15% CFP.…”

“…The palatability of CFP in dogs differed from that in cats. Wherein, Kilburn-Kappeler et al (2022) observed that cats preferred a 5% inclusion of CFP compared with a control (0% CFP), but had no preference with increased inclusion levels (10% and 15% CFP). However, in the current study, dogs had no preference between the control and the low inclusion level (5% CFP), but appeared to prefer the control over the higher CFP inclusion levels of 10% and 15%.…”

“…The differences in stool quality with increased CFP inclusion is likely due to the increased fiber content in CFP treatments, specifically 15C, compared with the 0C treatment, as previous studies have attributed an increase in fecal bulk to increased dietary fiber in dogs (Fahey et al, 1992;Sunvold et al, 1995). In terms of its fiber profile, CFP would be considered more of an insoluble fiber type (Kilburn-Kappeler et al, 2022). In agreement with the current study, Wichert et al (2002) reported that the addition of cellulose (an insoluble fiber) increased dry matter content of feces and frequency of well-formed feces when fed to dogs.…”

“…The combination of zein and yeast protein results in an ingredient containing 50% protein, which is nearly double that of traditional distillers' dried grains. Graded levels of CFP have already been evaluated in cats, resulting in acceptable palatability, stool quality, and nutrient digestibility (Kilburn-Kappeler et al, 2022). Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate increasing levels of CFP on extrusion processing, stool quality, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD), and palatability in adult dogs.…”