Chitosan affects total nutrient digestion and ruminal fermentation in Nellore steers

Abstract

a b s t r a c tThis study aimed to investigate the effects of chitosan on dry matter intake (DMI), nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation, and blood metabolites in Nellore steers. Eight ruminally cannulated Nellore steers (540 ± 28.5 kg of BW) were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design, with 21-d of experimental periods. The animals were randomly assigned to the following treatments: control (without chitosan addition; Q0), Q50, Q100 and Q150, by dosing 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg BW chitosan, respectively, through the cannula. Although there was no difference on DMI, chitosan addition increased dry matter, neutral detergent fiber, and crude protein apparent total-tract digestibility (P < 0.05). Ruminal pH was not affected, whereas NH 3 N concentration was quadratically affected with chitosan addition (P = 0.01). There were no differences in total volatile fatty acids concentration among treatments. Chitosan had a quadratic effect on propionate and butyrate, whereas acetate molar proportions decreased linearly (P < 0.05). Acetate:propionate ratio decreased with chitosan addition (P < 0.05). Plasma glucose concentration was higher with chitosan addition (P < 0.05); however, total protein, urea, aspartate aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyl transferase were not affected by chitosan. Addition of chitosan altered ruminal fermentation, improved nutrient digestibility, and did not appear to damage animal health.

Short communication: Production performance and plasma metabolites of dairy ewes in early lactation as affected by chitosan

“…The increase in plasma glucose concentrations in the current study is in agreement with the results reported by Araújo et al (2015) who also observed an increase in plasma glucose concentrations in Nellore steers. These results are consistent with the observed increase in the molar proportion of propionate and the propionate-to-acetate ratio in the rumen of sheep (Goiri et al, 2010) and Nellore steers fed chitosan (Araújo et al, 2015).…”

“…These results are consistent with the observed increase in the molar proportion of propionate and the propionate-to-acetate ratio in the rumen of sheep (Goiri et al, 2010) and Nellore steers fed chitosan (Araújo et al, 2015). It is well established that other growth promoters, such as ionophores, increase ruminal propionate production and thereby increase the supply of this glucogenic substrate to the hepatic tissues, stimulating the production of glucose via gluconeogenesis (Sauer et al, 1989).…”

Nutrient digestion, microbial protein synthesis, and blood metabolites of Jersey heifers fed chitosan and whole raw soybeans

“…Although Araújo et al (2015) reported a linear increase in DM, NDF, and CP digestibility when evaluating the dose effect of chitosan on the digestion of Nellore steers, the authors did not report differences in DM intake. The authors suggested that those effects were related to altered ruminal fermentation, especially by increasing the propionate concentration.…”

“…However, the utilization of CHI in animal feeding has been underexploited, and there are few studies available in literature. Araújo et al (2015) reported a linear increase in the digestibility of DM, crude protein (CP), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) when beef steers were fed CHI, without changing their DM intake.…”

<b>Quitosana associada a grão de soja integral na alimentação de vacas leiteiras:</b> I. Digestão, metabolismo e desempenho produtivo; II. Avaliação de metodologias para estimativas da digestibilidade aparente total e produção microbiana ruminal

“…Pode ser destacada também a diminuição de três das quatro relações avaliadas entre a concentração de AG que são produto e substrato da enzima estearoil-CoA dessaturase (SCD1) na glândula mamária para as vacas alimentadas com grão de soja nas dietas. Embora o exato mecanismo de ação da quitosana ainda não é conhecido, são observadas alterações no padrão de fermentação ruminal e aproveitamento de nutrientes (GOIRI et al, 2010a;ARAÚJO et al, 2015;, similar ao efeito dos ionóforos (IPHARRAGUERRE e CLARK, 2003; DUFFIELD et al, 2008). Assim como os ionóforos e a quitosana, os ácidos graxos, em especial AG insaturados, exercem efeito sobre o metabolismo ruminal, pois também têm a capacidade de selecionar populações microbianas (JENKINS, 1993; LOURENÇO et al, 2010).…”