Apparent digestibility of a debranched amylopectin-lipid complex and resistant starch incorporated into enteral formulas fed to ileal-cannulated dogs1.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate apparent digestibility in ileal-cannulated dogs fed enteral diets containing a debranched amylopectin-lipid complex (V-complex) or resistant starch. Six ileal-cannulated dogs were randomized into a replicated 3 x 3 Latin square design for determination of digestibility of three experimental treatments. Dietary treatments were as follows: 1) control; 2) V-complex; and 3) resistant starch. Diets were similar in chemical composition. Apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM) and carbohydrate by dogs fed the control diet was higher (P < 0.05) than for dogs consuming the other diets. Mean apparent digestibilities of carbohydrate for the 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 weights for dogs fed the control diet were lower (P < 0.05) than for those receiving either the resistant starch or V-complex treatments. Dogs fed the V-complex diet produced approximately 90 g less feces per day than dogs fed resistant starch. Dietary incorporation of V-complex to replace traditional carbohydrates may be beneficial for diabetic patients because of the decreased digestibility and subsequent glucose absorption 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 intestinal lumen and greater production of short-chain fatty acids.