petfoodpro 3/2023

INGREDIENTS
The goal of the final study was to assess
the glycaemic properties of isomaltulose
in dogs, after continuous intake. This was
based on the assumption that the abilities
to digest isomaltulose might evolve
through adaptation, so that its impact on
blood glucose levels would get closer to
the other carbohydrates. In this study, 18
dogs received a 50:50 mix of isomaltulose
and sucrose (1g per kg bodyweight) daily
for two weeks. They were then split into
three equal groups which each received
a single dose of either isomaltulose,
sucrose or maltodextrin after an
overnight fast. Following this, the dogs’
blood glucose and insulin responses were
measured. Even after continuous intake
over two weeks, the low glycaemic and
insulinaemic properties of isomaltulose
were confirmed.
About BENEO
BENEO-Animal Nutrition offers a broad
range of natural ingredients with
nutritional benefits. The product range
is comprised of vegetable proteins,
digestible carbohydrates, prebiotic
chicory root fibers and specialty rice
ingredients. BENEO-Animal Nutrition
extends BENEO´s unique expertise in
human food to the world of pet food,
livestock feed and aqua feed.
Commenting on the findings, Dr Maygane
Ronsmans, Product Manager Animal
Nutrition at BENEO says: “This research
is of great importance as it offers the
first comprehensive characterisation
of isomaltulose with respect to its
digestibility and metabolic effects in
dogs. The low glycaemic properties of
isomaltulose already shown in other
species, including humans, pigs and
rodents, have now been confirmed in
dogs. The combined results of this study
suggest that isomaltulose would be
a suitable energy source in dog food,
which contributes to a more stable blood
glucose response, and may improve the
dog’s metabolic profile and overall health.”
Isomaltulose is a disaccharide which
occurs naturally in honey. It is composed
of glucose and fructose, characterised by
a stronger glycosidic bond than that of
usual sugar. Isomaltulose is a direct source
of energy that generates a more balanced
blood glucose response, distinguishing
it from high glycaemic energy sources,
such as heat treated cereals and
conventional sugars (e.g. dextrose).
BENEO derives isomaltulose from sugar
beet at its production plant for functional
carbohydrates in Offstein, Germany.
References
Technology & Marketing
Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, 1–
9. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpn.13860
ii
Read, C. (2019). The growth of pet obesity.
The Veterinary record 185, 1–3. https://doi.
org/10.1136/vr.l6498
German, A.J., Woods, G.R.T., Holden, S.L.,
Brennan, L. & Burke, C. (2018). Dangerous
trends in pet obesity. Veterinary Record, 182:
25. https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.k2
iii
BENEO Consumer Research on Attitudes
towards Pet Food in US, Brazil, UK, Germany
& China 2021
iv
Mitsuhashi Y, Nagaoka D, Bigley KE, Umeda
T, Otsuji K, Bauer JE (2012). Metabolic and
Hormonal Alterations with Diacylglycerol
and Low Glycemic Index Starch during
Canine Weight Loss. ISRN Veterinary Science
2012: 750593. doi: 10.5402/2012/750593.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/
PMC3671726/
v
A Latin-square design is a method of placing
treatments so that they appear in a balanced
fashion within a square block or field.
Treatments are assigned at random within
rows and columns, with each treatment once
per row and once per column.
BENEO, a division of the Südzucker
Group, employs more than 1000
people and has production units in
Belgium, Chile, Germany, Italy, and the
Netherlands.
i
Corbee, R. J., Mes, J. J., de Jong, G. A. H., van den
Dool, R. T. M., Neumer, F., Theis, S., & Bosch, G.
(2023). Brush border enzyme hydrolysis and
glycaemic effects of isomaltulose compared
to other saccharides in dogs. Journal of
For more information
www.beneo.com
12
Technology & Marketing