The effects of chitosan as feed additive for animals (FAFAs) on various digestive processes are an important to study because of the animal nutrition and production quality, healthcare and farming. The aims of this study were to evaluate the total amount of water-soluble antioxidants (TAWSA) of chitosan and high protein microbiologically synthesized concentrate as FAFAs; to assess the effect of these FAFAs on TAWSA values, parameters of sheep blood serum and rumen content by biochemical, physical and chemical methods. The laboratory studies of TAWSA values of feed components based on chitosan from different manufacturers or/and a high-protein concentrate were implemented. The animal experiments were carried out on six rumen-fistulated ewes (in three rounds of 14 days each, i.e., three groups) to confirm the results of the laboratory studies. The particular differences of the TAWSA of sheep blood by using both FAFAs by amperometric method were determined. A strong negative correlation −0.67 (or −0.86) was observed between TAWSA and the total protein (globulin’s) content in the blood for the Group 3 of animals. A moderate (0.40) or strong (0.73) positive correlation between TAWSA and total protein content in the blood for the Group 2 of animals than weak correlation 0.23 (or 0.26) for the control Group 1. In conclusion, the correlations between the value changes of TAWSA vs. major biochemical parameters of a blood serum of rumen-fistulated ewes (Group 3 > Group 2 > Group 1) or some indicators of the rumen content (ingesta pH, total content of volatile fatty acids, etc.) were found for the first time.

The effects of chitosan on various metabolic and digestive processes in the animal body are an important to study because of the production quality for animal nutrition, healthcare, etc. The major known changes in the biochemical parameters of the animal liquids (by chitosan usage as feed additive) are the following: ratio of volatile and fatty acids, content of fat, mineral composition, etc. The aim of this study was to evaluate the total amount of water-soluble antioxidants (TAWSA) of feed additives based on chitosan and high protein concentrate of microbiological synthesis and to assess the effect of these feed additives on TAWSA values of sheep blood serum by amperometric method. Firstly, the antioxidant activity of feed components based on chitosan or/and a high-protein microbiological synthesis concentrate was studied in this work. Second, the experiments are carried out on 6 fistula animals to confirm the results of laboratory studies. Third, the determination of the total antioxidant activity of sheep blood by using chitosan additives (as the feed components) by amperometric method was carried out. A particular difference in antioxidant activity of the control and experimental samples of the sheep blood was established for the first time.

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