Valor nutricional de farinhas de insetos para cães e gatos

Abstract

The present study aimed at evaluating three sources of insect meal with two levels of inclusion regarding its apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, ethereal extract and chitin, production of short (SCFA) and branched (BCFA) chain fatty acids, of phenol and indole, pH and faecal microbiota of dogs and cats. The experiment was conducted at the Centre for Studies on Company Animal Nutrition of the Department of Animal Science at UFLA, during a period of six months (August to December, 2016). Six male and female adult cats, of undetermined breed, weighing 3.72 ± 0.86 kg, and six male and female adult Beagle dogs, weighing 17.67 ± 2.64 kg, were used. The experiment was conducted in a Latin square design with six repetitions, using three insect meals (Madagascar cockroach, Cineria cockroach and giant tenebrio) that were tested in two levels (7.5 and 15%), in addition to a control diet (without meal inclusion), totalizing seven treatments. The experiment was comprised of six periods, with each presenting a total duration of 15 days. During the first 10 days, the animals were adapted to the food. On days 10, 11 and 12, faeces were collected to analyze the digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), chitin (Q) and acid hydrolyzed ether extract (AHEE). On days 13, 14 and 15, faeces were collected to determine faecal pH, SCFA and BCFA production, phenol/indole and intestinal microbiome. For statistical analysis, the data from the variables were analyzed by means of the GLM procedure (SAS Inst., NC). The statistical model included global analysis of variance with all treatments in order to obtain the mean square and perform the Dunnet test at 5%, comparing each witness-treatment to each of the remaining treatments. For the cats, no difference (P>0.05) was observed for ADC of DM, OM, CP, EEAH and EMAMS, however, there was difference (P<0.05) for ADCQ. Subsequently, SCFA concentration and pH in cat faeces were calculated. A difference occurred (P<0.05) for faecal concentration of valerate and 4-methylphenol. For dogs, there was no difference (P> 0.05) for apparent digestibility of nutrients. However, differences (P<0.05) were found for variables propionate, valerate and phenol. For faecal pH and remaining variables, there was no difference (P>0.05) for either species. No changes were verified for intestinal microbiota of dogs and cats fed different diets containing insect meal or control diet. In conclusion, data for faecal microbiota, in combination with the results of faecal fermentation products and blood parameters (systemic health index) of dogs and cats fed insect meal-based diets or control diet, demonstrate that these protein sources and tested inclusion levels are adequate and can be safely used at the level of 15% for adult dog and cat food.