Duckweed has attracted increasing attention as a high-quality and sustainable novel plant-based protein source. However, little research has been conducted in dogs and cats. We evaluated the effects of inclusion of duckweed protein (Lemna; MCSelect; Parabel; Vero Beach, FL) primarily in replacement of pea protein in dog diets at 0%, 5%, and 10% and cat diets at %, 10%, and 15% on stool quality, nutrient digestibility, and palatability. We hypothesized that duckweed protein would be a viable protein source in both dog and cat diets by showing no detriment to nutritional outcomes. All feeding tests were conducted at an independent research facility (Susquehanna, PA). A standard 2-bowl palatability test over a 2-d period was conducted with adult animals (n = 30 each) to determine intake ratio between test diets (duckweed-containing diets) and control diets (0% duckweed protein). Apparent total tract nutrient digestibility was conducted with 18 adult dogs and 21 adult cats (n = 6 to 7 per diet) with 5 d of diet acclimation followed by 5 d of total fecal collection. Stool quality was evaluated on a 1 to 5 scale where 1 = non-formed or diarrhea and 5 = hard, formed. Palatability data were analyzed using paired t-test (daily consumption) and chi-square test (first choice). All other data were analyzed by ANOVA and contrast (SAS version 9.4). For cats, 10% duckweed had greater (P < 0.05) palatability than control, while no difference was observed between 15% duckweed protein and control. For dogs, 5% and 10% duckweed protein had (P < 0.05) lower palatability, demonstrating a preference to control. Both cats and dogs fed duckweed diets had acceptable stool quality (Mean = 3.4 and 3.3, respectively). No detriments in nutrient digestibility were observed in dogs fed 5% and 10% duckweed protein; however, cats fed 10% and 15% duckweed protein had (P < 0.05) lower dry matter, protein, and energy digestibility vs. control. In conclusion, the data collected indicate that duckweed can be a viable replacement for other plant-based proteins in dog diets at inclusion levels up to 10%; more development is needed for duckweed protein inclusion into cat diets.

中文翻译：

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浮萍蛋白作为狗和猫干粮的替代植物性蛋白质来源


浮萍作为一种高质量和可持续的新型植物蛋白来源，越来越受到关注。然而，对狗和猫的研究很少。我们评估了加入浮萍蛋白 （Lemna;MCSelect;帕拉贝尔;佛罗里达州维罗海滩）主要替代狗粮中 0%、5% 和 10% 的豌豆蛋白，以及猫粮中 %、10% 和 15% 的豌豆蛋白，对粪便质量、营养物质消化率和适口性的影响。我们假设浮萍蛋白在狗和猫的饮食中都是一种可行的蛋白质来源，因为它对营养结果没有损害。所有饲喂测试均在独立研究机构（宾夕法尼亚州萨斯奎汉纳）进行。对成年动物 （每只 n = 30） 进行 2 天期间的标准 2 碗适口性测试，以确定测试饮食（含浮萍的饮食）和对照饮食（0% 浮萍蛋白）之间的摄入量比率。对 18 只成年狗和 21 只成年猫 （n=每节食 6 至 7） 进行表观总道营养消化率测试，先进行 5 天的饮食驯化，然后进行 5 天的总粪便收集。粪便质量以 1 到 5 的等级进行评估，其中 1 = 未形成或腹泻，5 = 坚硬、形成。使用配对 t 检验 （每日消耗） 和卡方检验 （首选） 分析适口性数据。所有其他数据均通过方差分析和对比 （SAS 9.4 版） 进行分析。对于猫，10% 浮萍的适口性高于对照 （P < 0.05），而 15% 浮萍蛋白与对照之间没有观察到差异。对于狗，5% 和 10% 浮萍蛋白的适口性较低 （P < 0.05），表明偏爱对照。喂食浮萍饮食的猫和狗的粪便质量都是可以接受的 （平均值 = 3.4 和 3.3）。 在喂食 5% 和 10% 浮萍蛋白的狗中未观察到营养消化率的不利影响;然而，与对照组相比，喂食 10% 和 15% 浮萍蛋白的猫的干物质、蛋白质和能量消化率较低 （P < 0.05）。总之，收集的数据表明，浮萍可以成为狗饮食中其他植物性蛋白质的可行替代品，含量高达 10%;将浮萍蛋白纳入猫饮食需要更多开发。