Experiences in Formulating Insect-Based Feeds: Selected Physicochemical Properties of Dog Food Containing Yellow Mealworm Meal
Yellow mealworm (<i>Tenebrio molitor</i>) meal is a promising sustainable protein for pet food, yet its effect on nutrient balance and granule texture is incompletely defined. Five dry dog food formulas containing 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, and 45% of <i>T. molitor</i> meal were ext...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-07-01
|
| Series: | Animals |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/14/2087 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849714774814752768 |
|---|---|
| author | Remigiusz Gałęcki Bartosz Pszczółkowski Łukasz Zielonka |
| author_facet | Remigiusz Gałęcki Bartosz Pszczółkowski Łukasz Zielonka |
| author_sort | Remigiusz Gałęcki |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Yellow mealworm (<i>Tenebrio molitor</i>) meal is a promising sustainable protein for pet food, yet its effect on nutrient balance and granule texture is incompletely defined. Five dry dog food formulas containing 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, and 45% of <i>T. molitor</i> meal were extruded and analyzed for proximate composition, fatty-acid and amino-acid profiles, and compressive mechanical properties. Crude-protein concentration remained stable, whereas fat and ash increased (<i>p</i> < 0.01) and carbohydrates decreased as the inclusion level rose. Tenebrio molitor meal enriches granules in oleic, linoleic, and α-linolenic acids, improving the ω-6:ω-3 ratio from 8.0 to 5.4. Essential amino acid levels were conserved, although lysine and methionine fell modestly (≤11%). Mechanical testing showed a linear decline in hardness (331 → 300 N) and stiffness (46 → 41 N mm<sup>−1</sup>), indicating softer, more deformable granules at higher inclusion levels. The inclusion of up to 45% <i>T. molitor</i> meal can be incorporated without compromising protein quality while enhancing unsaturated fat content. Minor lysine/methionine dilution can be offset by targeted supplementation. These data support wider adoption of insect protein in hypoallergenic and eco-friendly canine diets. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e5c91f602dac49859fc3c682e951f97c |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj-art-e5c91f602dac49859fc3c682e951f97c2025-08-20T03:13:36ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-07-011514208710.3390/ani15142087Experiences in Formulating Insect-Based Feeds: Selected Physicochemical Properties of Dog Food Containing Yellow Mealworm MealRemigiusz Gałęcki0Bartosz Pszczółkowski1Łukasz Zielonka2Department of Veterinary Prevention and Feed Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, PolandDepartment of Material and Machine Technology, Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, ul. Oczapowskiego 11, 10-719 Olsztyn, PolandDepartment of Veterinary Prevention and Feed Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, PolandYellow mealworm (<i>Tenebrio molitor</i>) meal is a promising sustainable protein for pet food, yet its effect on nutrient balance and granule texture is incompletely defined. Five dry dog food formulas containing 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, and 45% of <i>T. molitor</i> meal were extruded and analyzed for proximate composition, fatty-acid and amino-acid profiles, and compressive mechanical properties. Crude-protein concentration remained stable, whereas fat and ash increased (<i>p</i> < 0.01) and carbohydrates decreased as the inclusion level rose. Tenebrio molitor meal enriches granules in oleic, linoleic, and α-linolenic acids, improving the ω-6:ω-3 ratio from 8.0 to 5.4. Essential amino acid levels were conserved, although lysine and methionine fell modestly (≤11%). Mechanical testing showed a linear decline in hardness (331 → 300 N) and stiffness (46 → 41 N mm<sup>−1</sup>), indicating softer, more deformable granules at higher inclusion levels. The inclusion of up to 45% <i>T. molitor</i> meal can be incorporated without compromising protein quality while enhancing unsaturated fat content. Minor lysine/methionine dilution can be offset by targeted supplementation. These data support wider adoption of insect protein in hypoallergenic and eco-friendly canine diets.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/14/2087edible insects<i>Tenebrio molitor</i>pet foodnutritional valuecompanion animalsveterinary diets |
| spellingShingle | Remigiusz Gałęcki Bartosz Pszczółkowski Łukasz Zielonka Experiences in Formulating Insect-Based Feeds: Selected Physicochemical Properties of Dog Food Containing Yellow Mealworm Meal Animals edible insects <i>Tenebrio molitor</i> pet food nutritional value companion animals veterinary diets |
| title | Experiences in Formulating Insect-Based Feeds: Selected Physicochemical Properties of Dog Food Containing Yellow Mealworm Meal |
| title_full | Experiences in Formulating Insect-Based Feeds: Selected Physicochemical Properties of Dog Food Containing Yellow Mealworm Meal |
| title_fullStr | Experiences in Formulating Insect-Based Feeds: Selected Physicochemical Properties of Dog Food Containing Yellow Mealworm Meal |
| title_full_unstemmed | Experiences in Formulating Insect-Based Feeds: Selected Physicochemical Properties of Dog Food Containing Yellow Mealworm Meal |
| title_short | Experiences in Formulating Insect-Based Feeds: Selected Physicochemical Properties of Dog Food Containing Yellow Mealworm Meal |
| title_sort | experiences in formulating insect based feeds selected physicochemical properties of dog food containing yellow mealworm meal |
| topic | edible insects <i>Tenebrio molitor</i> pet food nutritional value companion animals veterinary diets |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/14/2087 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT remigiuszgałecki experiencesinformulatinginsectbasedfeedsselectedphysicochemicalpropertiesofdogfoodcontainingyellowmealwormmeal AT bartoszpszczołkowski experiencesinformulatinginsectbasedfeedsselectedphysicochemicalpropertiesofdogfoodcontainingyellowmealwormmeal AT łukaszzielonka experiencesinformulatinginsectbasedfeedsselectedphysicochemicalpropertiesofdogfoodcontainingyellowmealwormmeal |