Abstract
The numerous functional properties and biological effects of chitosan and chito-oligosaccharides (COS) have led to a significant level of interest, particularly with regard to their potential use in the agricultural, environmental, nutritional, and pharmaceutical fields. This review covers recent studies on the biological functions of COS and the impacts of dietary chitosan and COS on metabolism. The majority of results suggest that the use of chitosan as a feed additive has favorable biological effects, such as antimicrobial, anti-oxidative, cholesterol reducing, and immunomodulatory effects. The biological impacts reviewed herein may provide a new appreciation for the future use of COS.
Highlights
The health and performance of modern intensively reared farm animals, such as poultry and swine, are promoted with the aid of various feed additives
After the end of 2 weeks experimental period, the results revealed that the weaning challenge led to reduced levels of serum antibodies and cytokines, the administration of 250 mg/kg COS resulted in higher expression of the IL-1β gene in the lymph nodes and jejunal mucosa and higher concentrations of interleukins IL-2, IL-6, and IL-1β and immunoglobulins IgA, immunoglobulin G (IgG), and IgM in the serum
Reduced the incidence of diarrhea, the growth performance of Escherichia coli-challenged pigs than that of unsupplemented pigs challenged with E. coli
Summary
The health and performance of modern intensively reared farm animals, such as poultry and swine, are promoted with the aid of various feed additives. A study aimed to evaluate the effects of different levels of dietary COS (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) supplementation during weaning period on growth performance, fecal shedding of E. coli and Lactobacillus, nutrient digestibility and small intestinal morphology. The authors concluded that chitosan showed similar effects with antibiotics in promoting the growth and reducing the intestinal inflammation in weaning piglets.
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