Chitosan Hydroxyapatite: Physic-chemical Properties and its Effect on the Growth and Development of Broiler Chickens

The current study aimed to obtain a calcium-containing, biocompatible drug based on chitosan Bombyx mori. Composites of Chitosan (CS) Bombyx mori with hydroxyapatite (HA) in the ratio of CS/HA = 50:50 mass percentage were synthesized in situ conditions at Ca/P = 1.67 mol% with intensive stirring for one hour at a speed of 1400 rpm and a temperature of 40 ± 2ºС. It was revealed that the components form an intermediate complex through –N-Ca, O-Ca, O (glycosidic bond)–Ca, H–O-bonds interacted by electrostatic forces. Atomic force microscopy studies indicated particles in the 100-50 nm size range on the polymer matrix surface. The polymer matrix prevented the growth of HA crystals and particle agglomeration. It was also determined that the CS/HA composite was non-toxic, and the LD50 was more than 5000 mg/kg. The composites were introduced into the chickens’ diet in groups for 30 days at 25 to 40 mg/kg doses. The findings indicated an increased survival rate of chickens by 100%, improved the morphological parameters of the blood, and enhanced the contents of calcium, phosphorus, and hemoglobin. The addition of CS/HA=50:50 mass percentage contributed to an increase in the number of erythrocytes in the blood of broilers and hemoglobin by 11-12%. It should be noted that CS/HA did not adversely affect other morphological parameters of chicken blood. Therefore, CS/HA is recommended for the prevention of osteoporosis and osteomalacia in broiler chickens.