Digestibility and nutrient availability are important parameters when estimating the nutritional quality of pet food. We have developed a simulated semi-dynamic in vitro canine digestion model to evaluate the digestibility of dry extruded canine food. Canine food was assessed for digestible energy, dry matter digestibility, protein digestibility, non-fibrous carbohydrate (NFC) digestibility, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in the absence and presence of an enzyme blend (DigeSEB Super Pet). Enzyme blend supplementation in canine food was found to increase the dry matter digestibility (18.7%, p < 0.05), digestible energy (18.1%, p < 0.05), and protein digestibility (11%, p < 0.1) and reducing sugar release (106.3%, p < 0.005). The release of low molecular weight peptides (48.7%) and essential amino acids (15.6%) increased within 0.5 h of gastrointestinal digestion due to enzyme blend supplementation. Furthermore, the TAC of the digesta was also increased (8.1%, p < 0.005) in the canine food supplemented with enzyme blend. Overall, supplementation of enzyme blend in canine food is an effective strategy to enhance the food digestibility and nutrient availability for absorption.
Keywords: antioxidant; canine food; enzyme blend; macronutrient digestion; semi dynamic in vitro digestion.
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