Bugs or fungus, which is better for dogs? Turns out both are pretty good.
Shitake mushroom meal and defatted black soldier fly larvae meal both demonstrated potential as alternative ingredients for dog food in experimental results published in the journal Waste and Biomass Valorization. The study found the two novel ingredients offered some nutritional advantages when compared with conventional meat and bone meal. What’s more both the fungus and the insects can be grown on agricultural byproducts.
Brazilian researchers evaluated meals produced from shitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) grown on peach palm shell substrate and commercially available defatted black soldier fly larvae meal. They compared both ingredients with meat and bone meal through chemical characterization and in vitro digestibility testing designed to simulate canine gastric and intestinal digestion.
“These findings highlight that both biomeal and BSFMd have potential as alternative ingredients for dog food, combining nutritional value with sustainability through the bioconversion of agro-industrial byproducts and insect-based protein sources,” the researchers wrote in the journal.
The insect ingredient contained the highest crude protein concentration at 49.82%, followed by meat and bone meal at 43.78%. The fermented mushroom product, called biomeal, contained 16.31% crude protein but stood out for its total dietary fiber content of 30.16%, compared with 4.04% for the black soldier fly meal. Both alternative ingredients contained less than 1% lipid, while meat and bone meal contained 14.59%.
Considering digestibility, defatted black soldier fly meal achieved the highest intestinal dry matter digestibility at 54.76% and the highest intestinal protein digestibility at 70.84%. The mushroom biomeal reached 64.38% intestinal protein digestibility, statistically similar to the 66.95% measured for meat and bone meal.
Other benefits of shitake and BSFL beyond nutrition
The researchers also found the fungal ingredient exhibited superior protein digestibility during the simulated gastric phase, reaching 60.35%, compared with approximately 52% for black soldier fly meal and 34% for meat and bone meal. According to the authors, this finding suggests the fungal proteins may undergo more extensive early hydrolysis during digestion.
Beyond its nutritional profile, the authors suggested that the fermented biomeal could provide functional benefits. During fermentation, the shitakes break down lignocellulosic material, potentially producing compounds associated with prebiotic activity while reducing the fiber content of the original peach palm shell substrate. The researchers noted that fungal polysaccharides, including beta-glucans, have been associated with immune and gut health benefits in previous studies, although those effects were not evaluated in the present research.
The scientists also commented on the sustainability potential of both ingredients. The fungal biomeal was produced by fermenting peach palm shells, an agro-industrial byproduct, while black soldier fly larvae can be reared on a variety of organic side streams.
The researchers suggested the fungal ingredient may be particularly suitable for inclusion in hybrid pet food formulations because of its fiber and carbohydrate content, while black soldier fly meal could serve as a concentrated protein source.
