Preparation and evaluation of mushroom (Lentinus edodes) and mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) as dog food attractant

Abstract

Chicken liver is a main protein source to prepare attractant for dog food. However, animal proteins are costly. Seeking high quality and low-cost protein sources has been a goal for the industry. Mushroom Lentinus edodes (L. edodes) and Mealworm Tenebrio molitor (T. molitor) are novel protein sources, showing high potential as raw material of attractants. In this paper, chicken liver, L. edodes, and T. molitor were used as three different protein sources to prepare attractants. Their palatability to dogs were then compared. Firstly, the enzymatic hydrolysis process of three proteins was optimized, with a degree of hydrolysis of 54.82%, 36.10% and 30.14% for chicken liver, L. edodes , and T. molitor respectively. Secondly, volatile compounds of three attractants were identified by HS-SPME/GC-MS and SDE/GC-MS. Using OAV and PLRS method, it was found that bis(2-methyl-3-furyl) disulfide, indole, methional, 2-(methyl thio) phenol, γ -butyrolacton, furfuryl alcohol, acetic acid and isovaleraldehyde were the key components. Although both T. molitor and L. edodes attractant showed less palatability than that of chicken liver, they could be readily improved via adding key palatable volatile compounds. The ingestion rate of dog food with attractant showed a similar trend and was higher than that of food without attractant.

Evaluation of Effective Energy Values of Six Protein Ingredients Fed to Beagles and Predictive Energy Equations for Protein Feedstuff

“…These results were the same for mink [ 72 ], where the dietary protein content did not affect nitrogen utilization by animals within an appropriate range. As a new protein ingredient for pets, MM can be hydrolyzed to improve the palatability of foods [ 73 , 74 , 75 ]. The GE of the MM diet at 19.96 was higher than that of the BD diet at 18.32 MJ/kg, but the ME intake was less at 679.50 compared with 771.61 KJ/ kg BW 0.75 /d, probably due to differences in palatability resulting from differences in processing methods and in the proportion of additions, which affect the food intake of beagles.…”

Insights to Study, Understand and Manage Extruded Dry Pet Food Palatability

“…With increasing concern for the environment and raw material supplies, researchers have looked at novel, sustainable protein sources with lower costs for formulating dog food attractants. In a recent study, mushrooms (Lentinus edodes) and mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) were considered replacements for chicken liver [172]. Chicken liver-based palatants had a significantly higher ingestion rate (>60%) than both insect-and mushroom-based palatants when tested in the two-bowl test.…”

Insects as Feed for Companion and Exotic Pets: A Current Trend

“…Feng et al [ 87 ] evaluated the application of enzymatic hydrolysis of mealworms ( Tenebrio molitor ) to obtain olfactory attractant ingredients for dog food and compared it with hydrolyzed chicken liver, the main attractant used in pet food. Mealworm-based attractant showed lower palatability than chicken liver but could be improved by the addition of key volatile compounds.…”