A recent study, published in Journal Insects as Food and Feed and sponsored by Protix, reported positive effects on dog oral health when using insect ingredients in dog food.
The study, conducted with a diet based on the black soldier fly (BSF), reported positive effects on dental health and also showed a decrease in halitosis that afflicts many of its canine companions. According to Protix, the results of open learning provide exciting opportunities for pet food manufacturers to develop new applications, from treats and kibble to wet food, that leverage the positive oral health message.
During the study, eight female beagle dogs were fed two iso-nutritive diets in a cross-over design with two periods of 50 days each. These diets are formulated using defatted BSFL meal or low ash poultry by product (PBP) meal as the main protein source. The results showed the volatile sulfur compound producing bacteria in the dental plaque was reduced and the beneficial bacteria such as Moraxella is increased in the saliva microbiota.
The study used ProteinX, a protein food made from black soldier fly larvae, from Protix.ProtixThe studying
Periodontal disease is a common health problem in dogs, affecting approximately 80% of animals over three years of age. It is often first identified by less odorous breath. Halitosis is a result of proteolytic activity in the mouth, where bacteria break down food proteins, amino acids, mucins, oral fluid and cells, forming volatile sulfur compounds (VSC) responsible for aggravating periodontal disease and causing bad breath . Halitosis is a marker of possible tooth and gum disease, and bad breath, and it’s also a big turn-off for even the most dedicated dog owner, according to the study.
Sponsored by Protix, the study involved eight female beagle dogs in a cross-over design with half of the animals fed for 50 days either a diet of extruded dry kibble containing poultry byproduct meal or a comparable kibble diet containing ProteinX, a protein meal made from black soldier fly larvae. The dogs were then fed for an additional 50 days with the opposite diet. The results were then compared. The level of inclusion of ProteinX in the diet is 29.4%.
Researchers conducted the study at the Federal University of Paraiba (UFBP) in Brazil and reported a 7% reduction in VSC-causing bacteria that cause bad breath. The study discovered something interesting. Generally, bacteria that cause bad breath are expected to increase when eating regular food without dental care. Eating BSF, however, appears to change the bacteria in the saliva, according to genetic analysis. The abundance of Moraxella in saliva is increased. The Moraxella This group of bacteria is considered a marker of oral health and beneficial for the oral microbiome.
Finally, a panel of blinded subjects was asked to evaluate the breath of eight beagle dogs afterwards 50 days fed a BSF diet or a poultry byproduct diet.
Based on an organoleptic intensity scale, designed to evaluate bad breath, dogs fed the BSF diet had a ‘barely noticeable odor,’ which scored 1 versus 2 ‘slight but noticeable odor’ for dogs fed the poultry byproduct diet. The study concluded that a diet based on BSF has the potential to increase tooth and gum health and improve dog bad breath.
New opportunities for pet food manufacturers
Bruna Loureiro, product development manager at Protix, said the study opens up new opportunities for pet food manufacturers to expand their claims on some products, including dog treats. and dry and wet food. Pet food products incorporating insect ingredients for oral health have been brought to market. ProteinX, says Loureiro, combines palatability with good digestibility, is hypoallergenic and more sustainable, in terms of land and water use and CO2 emissions, compared to conventional alternatives. Thanks to its balance of essential amino acids, fatty acids and minerals, it is suitable for healthy and sustainable pet food, he said.
“We know that scientific facts are important to our customers and end-consumers in making decisions about their pets’ diets,” said Laurel. “We are committed to working with leading partners to establish a body of factual evidence to allow pet parents to make informed decisions.”
The study used ProteinX, a protein food made from black soldier fly larvae, from Protix.Protix
