# Evaluation of the Nutritional Value of Insect-Based Complete Pet Foods
## 4 Discussion
However, the specific effects of dietary fiber fractions on the gastrointestinal tract are contingent upon their inherent composition and the proportion of each fraction present in the diet. In order to more accurately estimate the effect of resistant ingredients on digestion, it is necessary to conduct a more detailed analysis of the dietary fiber fractions in order to determine their content and type with greater precision. The fraction with the highest content is NDF, which is a combination of hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin, among other components [41]. The ADF fraction enables the determination of the cellulose and lignin contents as well as the amount of lignin present in the ADF fraction. Hemicellulose is a complex polysaccharide that is more readily fermented by intestinal bacteria than cellulose [74]. The incorporation of hemicellulose into the diet of canines may confer a number of advantages, including a prebiotic effect that stimulates the growth of a beneficial gut microbiota. Subsequently, the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which serve as an energy source for colonocytes, occurs as a result of the fermentation process [75]. The insoluble but fermentable fractions like cellulose and hemicellulose can serve as substrates for bacterial fermentation in the intestines and may also facilitate the restoration of the intestinal mucosa in dogs [74; 76]. Due to its ability to retain water within the feces, cellulose has the potential to affect fecal consistency, thereby preventing constipation. However, an excess of this component in the diet can lead to increased gas production, resulting in bloating and diarrhea. Individuals who have previously consumed predominantly low-carbohydrate foods may experience digestive discomfort as a result of the high levels of indigestible carbohydrates present in their current diet [77]. This results in an inefficient fermentation process due to a mismatch in the gut microbiota. Lignin, which is not a fermentable fraction, has been demonstrated to facilitate fecal formation and accelerate the passage of contents through the gastrointestinal tract [76]. The digestible carbohydrates (NFE) present in extruded foods typically reach levels of around 40-60 g/100 g DM [78; 79], which is consistent with the results obtained, where the average NFE content was 51.33 g/100 g DM. These carbohydrates serve as a source of readily available energy. The elevated level is attributable to the necessity of incorporating plant-based components that ensure the product possesses optimal organoleptic characteristics. The long-term consumption of a diet with a high proportion of digestible carbohydrates has been linked to insulin resistance and an elevated risk of obesity in canines, as evidenced by studies [80; 81; 82]. The presence of crude ash confirms the mineral content present in the product, as it is the inorganic residue from the complete combustion of organic matter. Foods with a high ash content can lead to urinary tract problems in animals due to the crystallization of the minerals contained [83]. In pet foods containing protein from slaughter animals, the PS level in 100 g DM averages about 8 g of ash [84], and the foods analyzed had an average of 6.33 g/100 g DM. Components derived from animals other than insects, such as animal by-products, were not used in the tested foods, a definition that includes bones, which can be a rich source of minerals. Their addition may be justified in order to balance the calcium or phosphorus content. Both of these elements in pet foods are sometimes incorrectly balanced in terms of content and/or ratio [85; 86]. A calcium deficiency in the diet can translate into skeletal problems by drawing calcium from its largest stores, the bones and teeth. As a result, their structure is weakened, but its short-term low levels in the diet do not result in a decrease in serum calcium in adult dogs [87]. It is recommended that the calcium/phosphorus ratio should not exceed 2:1, although a ratio closer to 1:1 is considered to be optimal [36].