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bioRxiv · 10.64898/2026.03.26.714014

Comparative chemical characterisation of chitosans and their impact on growth, faecal consistency and microbiota composition in weaned piglets

Di Blasio, S.·Middlekoop, A.·Molist, F.·Cord-Landwehr, S.·Elrayah, A. A.·Guardabassi, L.·Good, L.·Pelligand, L.
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Abstract

Managing post-weaning diarrhoea (PWD) in piglets is difficult due to limits on antibiotics and zinc. Chitosan is emerging as a potential feed additive. We analysed a chito-oligosaccharide hydrochloride (COS-HCl), a low molecular weight (LMW) chitosan, and a medium molecular weight (MMW) chitosan, and assessed their effects on growth, faecal consistency, microbiota, and potential interference with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). The three chitosans were characterised using {superscript 1}H-NMR, SEC-RI-MS, and SEC-RI-MALLS. COS-HCl had an Mw of 0.824 kDa; LMW and MMW showed Mw ranges of 14.4 kDa (0.3-30 kDa) and 116 kDa (15-600 kDa). Degrees of acetylation were 9.5%, 6.5%, and 15%. Two 42-day field studies evaluated average daily gain (ADG), faecal consistency, and microbiota. In the first trial, COS-HCl at 0.025-0.1% did not significantly affect ADG (-33 to - 12 g/d). In the second, LMW and MMW at 0.01% did not significantly change ADG (-7 and +3 g/d). Faecal consistency, ETEC shedding, and microbiota composition were similar to controls. An enzymatic HPLC-MS method enabled quantification of MMW chitosan in premix. Our results highlight the importance of advanced chitosan characterisation for precision nutrition and suggest that a threshold dosemay be needed to benefit growth and gut health in PWD management. Graphical Abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=113 SRC="FIGDIR/small/714014v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (31K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@ffce80org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@4e3603org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@bc0c73org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1d55472_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

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Di Blasio, S., Middlekoop, A., Molist, F., Cord-Landwehr, S., Elrayah, A. A., Guardabassi, L., Good, L., Pelligand, L.. 2026-03-30. Comparative chemical characterisation of chitosans and their impact on growth, faecal consistency and microbiota composition in weaned piglets. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.03.26.714014

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