Spectroscopic and thermogravimetric study of chitosan after incubation in bovine rumen

► This work studies the chemical stability of chitosan in the bovine rumen. ► Chitosan structural changes were studied by molecular spectroscopy and thermogravimetry. ► The degradation of chitosan is related to ruminal proteolytic enzymes. ► Three different decomposition routes were found during the chitosan degradation. ► Chitosan is not good enough as a matrix for drug delivery into the bovine rumen. Chitosan is a polysaccharide that is found in some fungi but can also be obtained through the deacetylation of chitin. It is a copolymer of 2-amino-2-deoxy- d glucopyranose and 2-acetamido-2-deoxy- d-glucopyranose. Due to its bioactivity, biodegradability, biocompatibility, reactivity of deacetylated amino groups, selective permeability, polyelectrolyte action, and ability to form gel films, the chelation ability and adsorption capacity of this polymer has been studied in several applications. This work investigates the physical and chemical behavior of chitosan that has been exposed to bovine rumen to assess chitosan’s potential as a matrix for drug delivery into the bovine rumen. It was observed a low stability of chitosan in the bovine rumen, indicating that it will be difficult to use in delivery. It was determined that this stability is low due to the breakage of the polymer chain, the loss of the amino and amide groups and glucosyl ring opening.