Aloe arborescens supplementation in cat diet: evaluation of effects by in vitro gas production technique. Issue 3 (2nd July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Musco, Nadia; Lombardi, Pietro; Calabrò, Serena; Mastellone, Vincenzo; Tudisco, Raffaella; Grossi, Micaela; Addi, Laura; Grazioli, Raffaella; Cutrignelli, Monica Isabella
• Is Part Of: Italian journal of animal science. Volume 15:Issue 3(2016)
• Page Start: 407
• Page End: 411
• Publication Date: 2016-07-02
• Subjects: Aloe arborescens -- digestibility -- IVGPT -- L-lactic acid -- short chain fatty acids; Animal culture -- Periodicals; Livestock -- Italy -- Periodicals; Veterinary medicine -- Italy -- Periodicals; Animal culture; Livestock; Veterinary medicine; Italy; Periodicals; Periodicals; 636.005
• DOI: 10.1080/1828051X.2016.1188675
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1828-051X

Abstract

Abstract: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of Aloe arborescens on organic matter digestibility (OMD), cumulative gas (OMCV) and short chain fatty acids (SCFA) production, using the in vitro gas production technique (IVGPT). Three adult cats were fed with a commercial diet (CP 31.21; EE 16.64% as fed) for 20 days before the collection of their faeces used as inoculum . The same diet, used as substrate, was incubated in vitro supplemented with different amounts (0, 0.7, 1.6 and 3.2%) of lyophilised Aloe arborescens . OMD, OMCV and SCFA significantly decreased with the increase of Aloe addition; an increase of l -lactic acid production was detected, even if pH was within physiological range. A potential prebiotic role of the Aloe arborescens carbohydrates was hypothesised in cats, but it needs further investigations. As a whole, our results show that IVGPT can represent a useful tool for nutritional evaluation of novel ingredient and/or additive also in cats.