PSIII-15 Standardized Amino Acid Digestibility and Protein Quality of Mealworm-Based Ingredients Using the Precision-fed Cecectomized Rooster Assay

Abstract Mealworms may serve as an alternative protein source for pet foods because of their high content. The amino acid (AA) content and quality mealworm-based ingredients vary depending on composition processing, however, so testing is required. Our objective was to measure the AA composition, digestibility, using precision-fed cecectomized rooster assay. University Illinois Institutional Animal Care Use Committee approved all animal procedures prior experimentation. 12 roosters (4 roosters/substrate) were randomly assigned one three test substrates: 1) whole buffalo mealworm meal (BMW); 2) defatted yellow (YMW); enzymatically hydrolyzed powder (HYD). After 24 h feed withdrawal, tube-fed substrates. Following crop intubation, excreta samples collected 48 h. Endogenous loss corrections made by 5 additional roosters. All data analyzed SAS version 9.4. substrates had digestibilities, with indispensable digestibilities being >90% exception histidine (87.9-91.1%) valine (77.9%-79.7%). not different among Digestible score (DIAAS)-like values calculated determine according AAFCO nutrient profiles, FEDIAF nutritional guidelines, NRC recommended allowances adult dogs, cats, growing puppies, kittens. In general, HYD highest YMW lowest DIAAS-like most AA. Methionine (HYD; YMW) tryptophan (BMW) first-limiting results demonstrate that are high-quality sources. Further research in dogs cats necessary confirm sufficient palatability but these suggest they will be valuable sources foods.