Abstract
Effects of dietary chitin and chitosan on the growth and abdominal fat deposition were investigated in 8-day old Single-Comb White Leghorn male chicks. 5% chitin or chitosan were supplemented to a basal corn-soybean meal diet (CP 20%, ME 2830kcal/kg) and a high-fat diet (CP 20%, ME 3240kcal/kg) which containing 7% soybean oil, and these diets were given for 3 weeks.
Feed efficiency in chicks fed a high-fat diet was similar to chicks fed a basal diet although feed intake and body weight gain were lower than chicks fed a basal diet. Addition of chitin or chitosan to the diet did not affect body weight gain and feed efficiency. Feeding of a high-fat diet decreased markedly the apparent fat absorption ratio, plasma triglyceride content and abdominal fat pad weight. Plasma phospholipid, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were not affected by the feeding of high-fat diet. The addition of chitin to a basal or a high-fat diet did not significantly affect the apparent fat absorption ratio, plasma lipid concentration and abdominal fat pad weight. The addition of chitosan decreased apparent fat absorption ratio and abdominal fat pad weight in chicks fed the basal and high-fat diet. The elevated plasma triglyceride content by the feeding of high-fat diet was decreased by the addition of chitosan.
Therefore, it may be suggested that the supplementation of 5% chitin and chitosan to the diet do not affect the growth of chicks greatly, and that the chitosan increase the dietary fat excression and depress the abdominal fat deposition.
