Jun-Hu  Yao, Chao-Yun  Li, Xiang-Hui  Zhao, Yang-Chun  Cao, Yao-Geng  Lei, Chan-Juan  Liu, Hua-Xin  Wang, 
    Effects of Chitosan on <I>in vitro</I> Ruminal Fermentation in Diets with Different Forage to Concentrate Ratios,
    Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances,
    Volume 12,Issue 7,
    2013,
    Pages 839-845,
    ISSN 1680-5593,
    javaa.2013.839.845,
    (https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=javaa.2013.839.845)
    Abstract: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of chitosan 
  on ruminal fermentation, methane production and microbial populations in diets 
  with different Forage to Concentrate (F:C) ratios <I>in vitro</I>. A two factorial 
  <I>in vitro</I> experiment was designed with one factor as three F:C ratios 
  (80:20, 50:50 and 20:80) diets and the other as four levels of chitosan in rumen-buffer 
  fluid (0, 333, 667 and 1000 mg L<SUP>-1</SUP>). After 24 h incubation, the results 
  showed that chitosan significantly decreased <I>In Vitro</I> Dry Matter Disappearance 
  (IVDMD) (p&lt;0.001), total gas production (p&lt;0.001), methane production 
  (p&lt;0.001) and Acetate:Propionate (A:P) (p = 0.001) and significantly increased 
  the rumen pH (p&lt;0.001). Chitosan significantly increased the molar proportion 
  of propionate of rumen-buffer fluid in F:C ratios of 80:20 (p = 0.009) and 50:50 
  (p = 0.007). In F:C ratios of 20:80, chitosan significantly increased the ammonia-N 
  concentration (p = 0.013) and the molar proportion of butyrate (p&lt;0.001) 
  and significantly decreased the molar proportion of acetate (p = 0.001). In 
  conclusion, chitosan affected the ruminal fermentation and reduced methane production 
  of rumen-buffer fluid <I>in vitro</I>.
    Keywords: Chitosan;ruminal fermentation;methane production;in vitro;significantly