ISSUE FOCUS FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE December 2024 57 All the cats maintained normal consumption of the ProteinX diet throughout the trial period, with no food refusal, vomit or significant changes in blood parameters. The cats maintained their body weight and overall health. SUPER-PREMIUM DIGESTIBILITY The digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, nitrogen, fat and gross energy were notably high for the BSFL meal-based diet, aligning closely with those of a super-premium diet. The felines’ faeces were well-formed, and of optimal consistency. A GOOD GUT FEELING The findings of the study showed that the ProteinX-based diet had a profound impact on intestinal microbial activity, increasing the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). SCFAs (acetate, butyrate, and propionate) are considered beneficial for the animal’s health, and their concentration in the faeces of cats fed the BSFL diet was significantly higher than the control group values. Furthermore, the cats presented a higher relative abundance of certain beneficial bacteria genera such as Bifidobacterium, known for its probiotic properties and considered beneficial for host health, while showing inhibition of Negativibacillus and Lachnoclostridium genera - these latter being associated with clinical signs of digestive issues and detrimental for gut health. Therefore, by stimulating gut microbiota activity and production of SCFA, increasing beneficial gut bacteria and inhibiting some gut bacteria linked to digestive problems, ProteinX shows the potential to support gut health in adult cats. The results suggest that the unique composition of ProteinX meal and its presence of components such as lauric acid, antimicrobial peptides, and chitin yield high nutritional value, and potentially has prebiotic effects. Bruna Loureiro, Product Development Manager at Protix, explained: “These results represent a further step in bringing natural and tasty insect-based nutrition to cats based on scientific evidence. We look forward to working with manufacturers to translate these promising findings into palatable products that will promote good gut health in felines.” CONCLUSION The recently published research addresses the growing interest in the potential of insect ingredients as a high nutritional value, sustainable and healthy alternative in pet food formulations. Protix stated that manufacturers can confidently incorporate insect ingredients at high inclusion levels into highly palatable cat food in the knowledge that they represent a sustainable and healthy option. The research paves the way for manufacturers to tap into growing consumer demand for natural pet food that optimises nutrition and animal wellbeing.
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