# Evaluation of the Nutritional Value of Insect-Based Complete Pet Foods
## 3 Results  
### Chemical Composition of Foods  
The nutrient content and metabolizable energy level, determined from analyses, showed statistically significant differences (\(p\) < 0.05) between the different foods (Table 2). The values from the analyses were calculated to be correct for amounts in foods with an energy density of 400 kcal ME/100 g DM (Table 3). The lowest protein content was observed in the DIF_2 (23.35 g/100 g DM), while the highest was noted in the DIF_11 (35.75 g/100 g DM). Each of the foods was found to meet the MRL [36] for protein, which is equal to 18.00 g/100 g DM. However, in contrast to the values indicated on the manufacturer's label, the results of the analysis demonstrated that the DIF_5, DIF_9 and DIF_11 exhibited protein levels that fell below the established analytical tolerance range (Figure 3). \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c c c c} \hline \hline
**Item** & **DM 1** & **CP** & **EE** & **CF** & **CA** & **NFE** & **ME** \\ \hline \multicolumn{6}{c}{**g/100 g**} \\ \hline DIF\_1 & 95.92 & 26.08 ** & 11.75  & 5.36  & 6.05  & 381.70  \\ DIF\_2 & 95.73 & 23.35  & 11.67  & 3.33  & 7.43  & 54.22  \\ DIF\_3 & 95.39 & 23.45  & 12.04  & 4.56  & 4.03  \\ DIF\_4 & 94.62 & 26.45  & 11.6  & 5.78  & 5.78  & 5.78  & 403.52  \\ DIF\_5 & 94.88 & 24.56  & 7.58  & 4.03  & 371.11  \\ DIF\_6 & 94.00 & 23.54  & 10.43  & 5.78  & 380.32  \\ DIF\_7 & 94.69 & 29.23  & 13.20  & 6.96  & 43.46  & 43.46  & 43.46  & 373.10  \\ DIF\_8 & 94.67 & 25.68  & 10.22  & 6.39  & 50.23  & 362.70 [ENDFOOTNOTE] \\ DIF\_9 & 94.41 & 33.19  & 11.40  & 4.89  & 45.21  & 45.32  \\ DIF\_10 & 95.71 & 24.17  & 11.24  & 5.65  & 51.79  & 11.22  & 2.21  & 44.13  & 402.16  \\ DIF\_12 & 94.73 & 24.62  & 10.45  & 3.35  & 5.58  \\ DIF\_13 & 96.06 & 25.19  & 11.77  & 38.3 [ENDFOOTNOTE] [ENDFOOTNOTE] \\ DIF\_14 & 94.23 & 26.71  & 12.86  & 4.34  & 49.30 [FOOTNOTE:5]Footnote 5:The lowest fat content was observed in the DIF_5 (7.58 g/100 g DM), while the highest was noted in the DIF_7 (13.20 g/100 g DM). The MRL for fat, as defined by FEDIAF nutritional guidelines [36], is 5.50 g, a value that was also met in each of the foods. With regard to this ingredient, twelve foods exhibited ether extract (EE) levels that fell below the established analytical tolerance range, as indicated on the packaging (Figure 4). The lowest level of crude ash, representing the mineral content that does not break down during combustion, even at high temperatures, was observed in the DIF_3 (4.90 g/100 g DM), while the highest level was found in the DIF_7 (7.48 g/100 g DM). Crude ash levels exhibited a deviation from the analytical tolerance range in nine foods, with a value below the expected value (Figure 5). The lowest crude fiber content was determined in DIF_11 (2.21 g/100 g DM) and the highest in DIF_7 (7.16 g/100 g DM). Relative to the expected value from the product label, three foods had CF levels above the analytical tolerance range, and four were below this value (Figure 6). In the tested foods, nitrogen-free extract content was lowest in DIF_7 (43.46 g/100 g DM) and highest in DIF_12 (56.00 g/100 g DM). The metabolizable energy levels of the tested foods ranged from the lowest 362.70 kcal/100 g DM in DIF_8 to 403.52 kcal/100 g DM in DIF_4. Relative to the manufacturer's specified content, four foods had this value below the analytical tolerance range (Figure 7). Figure 3: Protein content of tested foods (g/100 g DM) based on own analyses and labeled values (g/100 g DM) with analytical tolerance range calculated according to [38]. \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c} \hline \hline
**Item** & **CP** & **EE** \\ \cline{2-3}  & & **g/100 g DM 1** & \\ \hline DIF\_10 & 25.94 & 12.06 \\ DIF\_11 & 35.56 & 11.16 \\ DIF\_12 & 25.18 & 10.69 \\ DIF\_13 & 25.63 & 11.97 \\ DIF\_14 & 27.29 & 13.14 \\ FEDIAF\_MRL & 18.00 & 5.50 \\ FEDIAF\_NMaxRL & ND 2 & ND \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular} 1  
\end{table}