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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Renewable Product Technology Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #251822

Title: Galactoglucomannan Oligosaccharide Supplementation Affects Nutrient Digestibility, Fermentation End-Product Production, and Large Bowel Microbiota of the Dog

Author
item FABER, T - University Of Illinois
item HOPKINS, A - Templeinland Corporation
item MIDDLEBOS, I - Novus International, Inc
item Price, Neil
item FAHEY, JR., G - University Of Illinois

Submitted to: Journal of Animal Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/15/2010
Publication Date: 9/17/2010
Citation: Faber, T.A., Hopkins, A.C., Middlebos, I.S., Price, N.P., Fahey, Jr., G.C. 2010. Galactoglucomannan oligosaccharide supplementation affects nutrient digestibility, fermentation end-product production, and large bowel microbiota of the dog. Journal of Animal Science. 89:103-112.

Interpretive Summary: New domestic markets could exist for dietary supplements for household pets. In this work an oligosaccharide mixture (GGMO, containing high mannose) obtained from fiberboard production was tested as a dietary supplement for dogs. Adult dogs were fed GGMO diets at six different concentrations (0 - 8%). Dry organic material in the digestive tract went up with increasing concentration of GGMO, while total protein fell. The acidity, short chain fatty acids, and phenols also dropped. Importantly, the GGMO raise the level of beneficial bacterium in the gut. Our results show a positive dietary effect for GGMO when included in a high quality dog food.

Technical Abstract: A galactoglucomannan oligosaccharide (GGMO) obtained from fiberboard production was evaluated as a dietary supplement for dogs. The GGMO substrate contained high concentrations of oligosaccharides containing mannose, xylose, and glucose, with the mannose component accounting for 35% of dry matter. Adult dogs assigned to a 6x6 Latin square design were fed six diets, each containing a different concentration of supplemental GGMO (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 8%) that replaced dietary cellulose. Total tract dry matter (DM) and organic matter (OM) apparent digestibilities increased (P < 0.0001) linearly, while total tract crude protein (CP) apparent digestibility decreased (P < 0.0001) linearly as dietary GGMO substrate concentration increased. Fecal concentrations of acetate, propionate, and total SCFA increased (P =< 0.0001) linearly whereas butyrate concentration decreased (P =< 0.0009) linearly with increasing dietary concentrations of GGMO. Fecal pH decreased (P =< 0.0003) linearly as dietary GGMO substrate concentration increased whereas fecal score increased quadratically (P =< 0.0001). Fecal phenol (P =< 0.05) and indole (P =< 0.01) concentrations decreased linearly with GGMO supplementation. Fecal biogenic amine concentrations were not different among treatments except for phenylethylamine, which decreased (P < 0.0001) linearly as dietary GGMO substrate concentration increased. Fecal microbial concentrations of E. coli, Lactobacillus spp., and Clostridium perfringens were not different among treatments. A quadratic increase (P =< 0.01) was noted for Bifidobacterium spp. as dietary GGMO substrate concentration increased. Data suggest positive nutritional properties of supplemental GGMO when incorporated in a high quality dog food.