Squid meal and shrimp hydrolysate as novel protein sources for dog food

The world’s growing pet population is raising sustainability and environmental concerns for the petfood industry. Protein-rich marine by-products might contribute to mitigating negative environmental effects, decreasing waste, and improving economic efficiency. The present study evaluated two marine by-products, squid meal and shrimp hydrolysate, as novel protein sources for dog feeding. Along with the analysis of chemical composition and antioxidant activity, palatability was evaluated by comparing a commercial diet (basal diet) and diets with the inclusion of 150 g kg−1 of squid meal or shrimp hydrolysate using 12 Beagle dogs (2.2 ± 0.03 years). Two in vivo digestibility trials were conducted with six dogs, three experimental periods (10 days each) and three dietary inclusion levels (50, 100 and 150 g kg−1) of squid meal or shrimp hydrolysate in place of the basal diet to evaluate effects of inclusion level on apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD), metabolizable energy content, fecal characteristics, metabolites, and microbiota. Both protein sources presented higher protein and methionine contents than ingredients traditionally used in dog food formulation. Shrimp hydrolysate showed higher antioxidant activity than squid meal. First approach and taste were not affected by the inclusion of protein sources, but animals showed a preference for the basal diet. Effects on nutrient intake reflected the chemical composition of diets, and fecal output and characteristics were not affected by the increasing inclusion levels of both protein sources. The higher ATTD of dry matter, most nutrients and energy of diets with the inclusion of both by-products when compared to the basal diet, suggests their potential to be included in highly digestible diets for dogs. Although not affected by the inclusion level of protein sources, when compared to the basal diet, the inclusion of squid meal decreased butyrate concentration and shrimp hydrolysate increased all volatile fatty acids, except butyrate. Fecal microbiota was not affected by squid meal inclusion, whereas inclusion levels of shrimp hydrolysate significantly affected abundances of Oscillosperaceae (UCG-005), Firmicutes and Lactobacillus. Overall, results suggest that squid meal and shrimp hydrolysate constitute novel and promising protein sources for dog food, but further research is needed to fully evaluate their functional value

Efficiency of horizontal wells in fields with highly viscous oil on the example of Tengri field

Due to the growing share of high-viscosity oils in Kazakhstan, task of their effective development is becoming more complicated. Development of terrigenous reservoirs that have a complex structure and contain high-viscosity oil lead to low rates of sampling and low values of oil recovery factor. Currently, technologies that ensure high efficiency in development of such deposits are very expensive. The paper considers a pilot section of the development horizon of cretaceous system of the Tengri field, drilled with vertical wells in accordance with current project document. Further the average characteristics of the parameters of horizontal wells are compared and measures are proposed to improve the efficiency of further operation of these wells.</jats:p

The evaluation of the efficiency of horizontal wells

The number of fields that have reached stage IV of development is increasing every year. Due to the high level of water cut, it becomes difficult to develop residual recoverable reserves. Also, due to the increase in the share of high-viscosity oils in Kazakhstan, the task of their effective development becomes more complicated. The development of terrigenous reservoirs, which have a complex structure and contain high-viscosity oil, is usually characterized by low production rates and oil recovery factors. Currently, technologies that ensure high efficiency in the development of such deposits are very expensive.&#x0D; In this regard, the development of oil fields through the commissioning of horizontal wells is becoming more in demand, capable of increasing the efficiency of developing oil reserves. Drilling of horizontal wells is considered for:&#x0D; &#x0D; floating reservoirs with low reservoir production coverage due to high water cut. High levels of water cut are due to breakthroughs of bottom water and degraded technical condition of wells (annular flows, wear and leakage of the string, depressurization of previously isolated intervals and poor quality of cement adhesion);&#x0D; thin layers, not involved in the production. Basically, thin layers are not involved in the production due to the low performance of vertical wells;&#x0D; on horizons with high-viscosity oil. In highly viscous horizons, the injected water breaks through to the bottom of production wells along the base of the reservoir when the horizon is not developed.&#x0D; &#x0D; Also in the Atyrau region, fields with hard-to-recover reserves (fields with high oil viscosity and low permeability of the productive horizon) are being developed. It is in such fields that horizontal wells have already been drilled and will be drilled in the future.&#x0D; The presented article discusses the results of the analysis of the drilled horizontal wells in the North Volga and Aknur oil fields.</jats:p

Assessing functional properties of diet protein hydrolysate and oil from fish waste on canine immune parameters, cardiac biomarkers, and fecal microbiota

Locally produced fish hydrolysate and oil from the agrifood sector comprises a sustainable solution both to the problem of fish waste disposal and to the petfood sector with potential benefits for the animal’s health. This study evaluated the effects of the dietary replacement of mainly imported shrimp hydrolysate (5%) and salmon oil (3%; control diet) with locally produced fish hydrolysate (5%) and oil (3.2%) obtained from fish waste (experimental diet) on systemic inflammation markers, adipokines levels, cardiac function and fecal microbiota of adult dogs. Samples and measurements were taken from a feeding trial conducted according to a crossover design with two diets (control and experimental diets), six adult Beagle dogs per diet and two periods of 6 weeks each. The experimental diet, with higher docosahexaenoic (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic (EPA) acids contents, decreased plasmatic triglycerides and the activity of angiotensin converting enzyme, also tending to decrease total cholesterol. No effects of diet were observed on serum levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-8, and IL-12/IL-23 p40, and of the serum levels of the anti-inflammatory adipokine adiponectin. Blood pressure, heart rate and echocardiographic measurements were similar between diets with the only exception of left atrial to aorta diameter ratio that was higher in dogs fed the experimental diet, but without clinical relevance. Diet did not significantly affect fecal immunoglobulin A concentration. Regarding fecal microbiome, Megasphaera was the most abundant genus, followed by Bifidobacterium , Fusobacterium , and Prevotella , being the relative abundances of Fusobacterium and Ileibacterium genera positively affected by the experimental diet. Overall, results from the performed short term trial suggest that shrimp hydrolysate and salmon oil can be replaced by protein hydrolysate and oil from fish by-products without affecting systemic inflammatory markers, cardiac structure and function, but potentially benefiting bacterial genera associated with healthy microbiome. Considering the high DHA and EPA contents and the antioxidant properties of fish oil and hydrolysate, it would be worthwhile in the future to assess their long-term effects on inflammatory markers and their role in spontaneous canine cardiac diseases and to perform metabolomic and metagenomics analysis to elucidate the relevance of microbiota changes in the gut

Data_Sheet_1_Effects of microalgae as dietary supplement on palatability, digestibility, fecal metabolites, and microbiota in healthy dogs.PDF

The current trend of dog owners increasingly favoring the functional value of food to assure preventive health and wellbeing of their pets has been raising the interest in microalgae as natural additives with bioactive properties. However, scientific studies addressing the effects of microalgae supplementation in diets for dogs are scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with three microalgae species (Chlorella vulgaris, Nannochloropsis oceanica, and Tetradesmus obliquus) on diet palatability, total tract digestibility, metabolizable energy content, fecal metabolites and microbiota of dogs. Twelve adult Beagle dogs were used in three two-bowl tests to compare the palatability of a commercial complete diet for adult dogs without (reference diet) and with 1.5% supplementation of each microalgae. From the results obtained, three digestibility trials were performed according to a replicated Latin square 3 × 3, with six adult Beagle dogs, three experimental periods of 10 days each, and three dietary supplementation levels of microalgae (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5%). In each trial, effects of microalgae supplementation levels on total tract digestibility, metabolizable energy content, fecal metabolites and microbiota of dogs were evaluated. First diet approached or tasted was not significantly affected by microalgae inclusion, but dogs showed a preference for the reference diet over the diets with 1.5% inclusion of C. vulgaris and N. oceanica, no difference being observed with 1.5% T. obliquus. In all digestibility trials, dietary supplementation with microalgae up to 1.5% did not greatly affected the dietary chemical composition and kept unaffected food intake, fecal output and metabolites, and digestibility of nutrients and energy. Compared with the reference diet, supplementation with C. vulgaris increased protein digestibility. Fecal characteristics and metabolites were affected by microalgae supplementation, being the effects dependent on the species. Fecal microbiota composition of dogs fed with microalgae-supplemented diets was modified by promoting the beneficial Turicibacter and Peptococcus genera associated with gut health and activation of the immune system. Overall, the results support C. vulgaris, N. oceanica, and T. obliquus as sustainable functional supplements that potentially enhance gastrointestinal health of dogs through the selective stimulation of microbiota without detrimental effects on food intake and digestibility.</p

Unraveling the role of shrimp hydrolysate as a food supplement in the immune function and fecal microbiota of beagle dogs

The inclusion of protein hydrolysates from animal by-products in petfood may enhance the industry’s sustainability, while contributing to dogs’ health due to their nutritional and functional properties. However, inconsistent results of protein hydrolysates on gut microbiota, immune responses, among other health parameters, have been observed in dogs. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of diets supplemented with 5% shrimp hydrolysate, compared to non-supplemented diets, on hematological parameters, serum chemistry profile, innate and adaptive immune function, and fecal microbiota composition in adult Beagle dogs during a 12-week feeding trial. Dietary inclusion of shrimp hydrolysate decreased blood eosinophils ( P  = 0.017) and glucose levels ( P  = 0.023), while increasing levels of white blood cells ( P  = 0.002), platelets ( P  = 0.038), neutrophils ( P  = 0.036), and CD4 + ( P  < 0.001) and CD8 + T cells ( P  < 0.001) single producers of tumor necrosis factor-alpha. It also led to a more extensive proliferation of CD4 + T cells in response to LipL32 antigen ( P  = 0.020) and to a decrease in superoxide production in stimulated cells ( P  = 0.002). Additionally, supplemented diets increased Oscillospiraceae ( P-adj  = 0.005) and Clostridia ( P-adj  = 0.017) abundance, and decreased such of Sellimonas ( P-adj  = 0.025). Overall, the results indicate that diet supplementation with shrimp hydrolysate at 5% modulates the immune response and fecal microbiota, highlighting its potential to be included in hypoallergenic and gastrointestinal diets, and in diets for diabetic dogs.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologiahttp://dx.doi.org/10.13039/50110000187