Effects of Chitosan on Ruminal Fermentation and In Situ Nutrient Degradability

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of chitosan on in situ nutrient degradability and ruminal fermentation of beef steers consuming bermudagrass hay. Eight ruminally-cannulated steers were provided Tifton-85 bermudagrass hay ad libitum while housed in the University of Florida Feed Efficiency Facility at the North Florida Research and Education Center (NFREC) in Marianna for two 21-d periods. Steers were placed in a cross-over design where they either received only bermudagrass hay (CTRL) or 80 g/d of chitosan dosed directly into the rumen via cannula (CHIT). In situ ruminal degradability of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and crude protein (CP) was not affected by treatment (P>0.05). There was a treatment × time-point interaction for ruminal molar proportions of acetate and propionate, where propionate molar proportions were greater for CHIT at 18, 21, and 24 h compared to CTRL. Similarly, the acetate to propionate ratio (A:P) was affected by an interaction of treatment × time-point and reduced for CHIT as compared to CTRL at 18, 21, and 24 h. Chitosan did not have effects on in situ degradability of nutrients; however, energetics of fermentation were improved when steers received 80 g/d of chitosan along with bermudagrass hay.