Effect of saponin-rich plants blend to reduce methyl sulfide compounds in canine faeces

Faeces aroma results from the particular combinations of odiferous volatile compounds. Methyl sulfide compounds have been shown to be characteristic of faecal aroma. The pet food industry uses natural alternatives, such as saponin-rich additives like Yucca schidigera to reduce odiferous compounds in faeces. However, Y. schidigera is harvested from wild ecosystems and its increasing use makes it an endangered natural resource. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a commercial blend of saponin-rich plants consisting of four saponin plants (Norponin Opti​, Nor-Feed) on reduction of methyl sulfide compounds in dogs’ faeces.

Briefly, 4 dogs of different breeds, weight, ages and sexes were assayed in a Latin square experiment: a 25- day period without supplementation (CTL) and a 25-day period supplemented with 200 ppm of rich-saponin blend (OPTI). Protein levels in feeds ranged from 18% to 27%. For each period, faeces of the last 3 days were collected and analysed by GC-TofMS in order to quantify dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) and compare chromatograms of volatile compounds.

Results evidenced that supplementation of saponin-rich plants blend reduced DMS and DMDS by an average of 46% and 49% respectively. Chromatograms also showed a tendency to reduction of other volatile compounds present in the faeces with the supplementation.

The use of a saponin-rich plants blend appears to be an efficient solution in pet food formulations in order to reduce methyl sulfide compounds of canine faeces. However, further studies are needed to assess the impact of other volatile compounds.

 

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Artikel online veröffentlicht:
16. November 2023