. It is also used in ophthalmic solutions due to its non-irritating nature and ability to form gels.
In the rabbit hindgut, fermentation occurs through a wide prevalence of Bacteroides that do not allow an extended digestibility of fibre. Digestibility of cellulose was shown to amount to 16% of the administered dose, whereas values of 14% and 18% were reported for fibre (cellulose being the main component) (review from the NRC, 1977). Later studies reported values comprised between 15 and 25% in rabbits administered different plant sources of cellulose (Gidenne and Perez, 1996; Chiou et al., 1998). In the horse, digestion of plant structural carbohydrates (including cellulose) occurs in the hindgut (colon and overall caecum). The microbiota of the caecum comprises bacteria similar to those of the rumen, but specific protozoa. The resulting digestibility is about two-third that measured in ruminants.
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