White paper on nutritional and functional value of insects in cat food

Insect-based ingredients, particularly those derived from black soldier fly larvae (BSFL), are a promising source of nutrients for cats. However, there are few peer reviewed research publications regarding their application in cat food. There are essential inquiries surrounding their acceptance, digestibility, and impact on gut health in cats.

A new study from the Wageningen University & Research delved into these topics. The study has been published in the Journal of Insects as Food and Feed and shows that a particular BSFL meal (ProteinX® from Protix) included in high levels in cat diets results in great food acceptance and proper food digestibility comparable to a poultry by-product meal-based diet. ProteinX modulated the gut microbiota and promoted an increase in the production of fecal short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which are considered beneficial for the animal’s health.

The study findings provide new insights and suggest that the chitin present in BSFL meal likely represents an important substrate for the gut microbiota and can potentially benefit the animal’s gut health.

Download the white paper for the key takeaways from this study and get in touch if you’d like to know more about how our insect-based ingredients can give your formulations a competitive advantage.