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Abstract

Chitosan is a nontoxic biopolymer with antimicrobial activities that can modify rumen fermentation patterns. The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effects of increasing levels of chitosan on in vitro ruminal fermentation profile, methane (CH4) production, and nutrient degradability. A control total mixed ration (TMR) was formulated as a 50:50 concentrate to forage ratio. This study employed gas production (GP) system in a completely randomized design with four treatment levels and six replications. Chitosan levels were included at 0 (control), 100, 200, or 300 g/kg of diet dry matter. After 24 h of fermentation, ruminal net GP (P = 0.014) and CO2 (P = 0.021) augmented linearly with chitosan levels. Interestingly, the net CH4 (P = 0.035) had a linear decrease as the chitosan level increased. Estimated H2 produced (P = 0.024) increased with the chitosan supplementation level. However, the OM degradability of the TMR substrate was reduced (P = 0.024) linearly as the chitosan level increased. Gradual decreases (P < 0.01) in acetate, butyrate, total VFAs, and acetate to propionate ratio were observed with TMR containing chitosan. Whereas increased (P = 0.022) in propionate production was observed as chitosan level increased in the TMR, while ruminal NH3-N (P = 0.018) and total protozoa counts (P = 0.020) linearly decreased with chitosan supplementation. In conclusion, chitosan supplementation might be employed as a feed additive for manipulating the fermentability profile, enhancing feed degradability while reducing CH4 production.

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