APPARENT DIGESTIBILITY OF A DEBRANCHED AMYLOPECTIN-LIPID COMPLEX AND RESISTANT STARCH INCORPORATED INTO ENTERAL FORMULAS FED TO ILEAL-CANNULATED DOGS

The purpose of this study was to evaluate apparent digestibility in il eal-cannulated dogs fed enteral diets containing a debranched amylopec tin-lipid complex (V-complex) or resistant starch. Six ileal-cannulate d dogs were randomized into a replicated 3 x 3 Latin square design for determination of digestibility of three experimental treatments. Diet ary treatments were as follows: 1) control; 2) V-complex; and 3) resis tant starch. Diets were similar in chemical composition. Apparent dige stibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM) and carbohydrate by dogs fed the control diet was higher (P < 0.05) than for dogs consumin g the other diets. Mean apparent digestibilities of carbohydrate for t he control, V-complex and resistant starch diets were 89, 76 and 43%, respectively. Both DM and carbohydrate digestibility were lower (P < 0 .05) for resistant starch compared with V-complex Fecal dry and wet we ights for dogs fed the control diet were lower (P < 0.05) than for tho se receiving either the resistant starch or V-complex treatments. Dogs fed the V-complex diet produced similar to 90 g less feces per day th an dogs fed resistant starch. Dietary incorporation of V-complex to re place traditional carbohydrates may be beneficial for diabetic patient s because of the decreased digestibility and subsequent glucose absorp tion rate. Furthermore, incorporation of resistant starch into enteral formulas may improve gastrointestinal tract health status as a result of increased fecal bulk, potential dilution of toxins in the intestin al lumen and greater production of short-chain fatty acids.