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Basic Laboratory Manual: Analysis of Animal Feed and Physical Evaluation

Received: 14 November 2024     Accepted: 26 November 2024     Published: 13 December 2024
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Abstract

This laboratory manual provides essential protocols and procedures for analyzing animal feed in the Animal Nutrition Laboratory at Wollo University. It is tailored to assist researchers, technical assistants, and students in evaluating feed quality to optimize ruminant nutrition, especially under arid conditions where feed costs impact livestock productivity. The manual covers safety guidelines, sample preparation, and detailed procedures for determining moisture, dry matter, crude protein, crude fiber, ether extract, and ash content in animal feed samples. Special emphasis is placed on using the Kjeldahl method for protein determination and the Soxhlet apparatus for fat extraction. The Kjeldahl method is emphasized for precise protein analysis, while the Soxhlet apparatus is utilized for fat extraction. These analyses ensure accurate evaluation of nutritional content, which is critical for formulating balanced and cost-effective diets. Additionally, the manual includes methods for producing urea molasses blocks, a valuable supplementary feed. Physical evaluation techniques such as assessing color, texture, odor, and mold presence are highlighted for rapid feed quality assessment, ensuring safe and effective diets. Practical methods for producing urea molasses blocks are also included, offering a supplemental feed option to enhance livestock performance. A urea molasses block (UMB) is a type of supplementary feed designed to provide ruminants with essential nutrients, especially in areas where high-quality forage is scarce or costly. It is made from a mixture of urea, molasses, and other ingredients such as water, minerals, and sometimes cereal grains or by-products. These techniques provide a preliminary safety and quality check before laboratory analysis. The manual serves as a valuable resource for optimizing feed quality in ruminant and non-ruminant production systems. In conclusion, the researchers and practitioners at Wollo University Animal Nutrition Laboratory adhere strictly to the safety guidelines and protocols outlined in the manual to ensure accurate and reliable feed quality analysis. Additionally, incorporating urea molasses blocks as a supplementary feed in regions with scarce high-quality forage will help improve livestock productivity by providing essential nutrients.

Published in International Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry (Volume 9, Issue 2)
DOI 10.11648/j.ijbc.20240902.14
Page(s) 33-44
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Animal Feed Analysis, Crude Protein, Dry Matter, Kjeldahl Method, Soxhlet Extraction, Physical Evaluation

References
[1] AOAC (Association of Official Analytical Chemists). 1995. Animal Feed: Sample preparation (950.02). Official methods of analysis, 16th edition.
[2] AOAC (Association of Official Analytical Chemists). 1995. Ash of Animal Feed (942.05). Official methods of analysis, 16th edition.
[3] AOAC (Association of Official Analytical Chemists). 1995. Fat (Crude) or Ether Extract in Animal Feed (920.39). Official methods of analysis, 16th Edition.
[4] AOAC (Association of Official Analytical Chemists). 1995. Fiber (Acid Detergent) and Lignin in Animal Feed (973.18). Official methods of analysis, 16th edition.
[5] AOAC (Association of Official Analytical Chemists). 1995. Moisture in Animal Feed (930.15). Official methods of analysis, 16th edition.
[6] AOAC (Association of Official Analytical Chemists). 1995. Laboratory Safety. Appendix B. Official methods of analysis, 18th edition.
[7] AOAC (Association of Official Analytical Chemists). 1990. Official methods of analysis, 15th edition. Arlington, VA.
[8] AOAC (Association of Official Analytical Chemists). 2000. AOAC Official Method 970.26. Official methods of analysis, 17th edition.
[9] AOAC (Association of Official Analytical Chemists). 2000. AOAC Official Method 972.16. Official methods of analysis, 17th edition. Gaithersburg, MD, USA.
[10] AOAC (Association of Official Analytical Chemists). 2000. Official Method 947.05. Official methods of analysis, 17th edition. Gaithersburg, MD, USA.
[11] El Hag, M. G., & SUDAN, K. N. (2022). Laboratory–Manual for Animal Feedstuffs Analysis and Nutritional Evaluation Techniques.
[12] Kunju, P. J. G. (1986). "Urea molasses block lick: A feed supplement for ruminants" Proceedings of the International Workshop, Kandy, Sri Lanka p261.
[13] L. O. GarcÃa and J. I. R. Restrepo. 1995. Multi-nutrient block handbook. Food and agriculture organization of the United Nations Rome, FAO Economic and Social Development Series No.3/45.
[14] Monika Zaklouta, Muhi El-Dine Hilali, Ali Nefzaoui, Mohammed Haylani. (23/10/2011). Animal Nutrition and Product Quality Laboratory Manual. Syrian Arab Republic: International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA).
[15] Van Soest, P. J. 1975. Physio-chemical aspects of fibre digestion. In: I. W. McDonald, and AC. I. Warner (Ed.), Digestion and Metabolism in the Ruminant. The Univ. New England Publ. Unit, Armidale, Australia.
[16] Zaklouta M., Hilali M., Nefzaoui A. and Haylani M. 2011. Animal nutrition and product quality laboratory manual. ICARDA, Aleppo, Syria. viii + 92 pp.
Cite This Article
  • APA Style

    Getachew, M., Mosneh, A. (2024). Basic Laboratory Manual: Analysis of Animal Feed and Physical Evaluation. International Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry, 9(2), 33-44. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijbc.20240902.14

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    ACS Style

    Getachew, M.; Mosneh, A. Basic Laboratory Manual: Analysis of Animal Feed and Physical Evaluation. Int. J. Bioorg. Chem. 2024, 9(2), 33-44. doi: 10.11648/j.ijbc.20240902.14

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    AMA Style

    Getachew M, Mosneh A. Basic Laboratory Manual: Analysis of Animal Feed and Physical Evaluation. Int J Bioorg Chem. 2024;9(2):33-44. doi: 10.11648/j.ijbc.20240902.14

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ijbc.20240902.14,
      author = {Muluken Getachew and Abebe Mosneh},
      title = {Basic Laboratory Manual: Analysis of Animal Feed and Physical Evaluation
    },
      journal = {International Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry},
      volume = {9},
      number = {2},
      pages = {33-44},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijbc.20240902.14},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijbc.20240902.14},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijbc.20240902.14},
      abstract = {This laboratory manual provides essential protocols and procedures for analyzing animal feed in the Animal Nutrition Laboratory at Wollo University. It is tailored to assist researchers, technical assistants, and students in evaluating feed quality to optimize ruminant nutrition, especially under arid conditions where feed costs impact livestock productivity. The manual covers safety guidelines, sample preparation, and detailed procedures for determining moisture, dry matter, crude protein, crude fiber, ether extract, and ash content in animal feed samples. Special emphasis is placed on using the Kjeldahl method for protein determination and the Soxhlet apparatus for fat extraction. The Kjeldahl method is emphasized for precise protein analysis, while the Soxhlet apparatus is utilized for fat extraction. These analyses ensure accurate evaluation of nutritional content, which is critical for formulating balanced and cost-effective diets. Additionally, the manual includes methods for producing urea molasses blocks, a valuable supplementary feed. Physical evaluation techniques such as assessing color, texture, odor, and mold presence are highlighted for rapid feed quality assessment, ensuring safe and effective diets. Practical methods for producing urea molasses blocks are also included, offering a supplemental feed option to enhance livestock performance. A urea molasses block (UMB) is a type of supplementary feed designed to provide ruminants with essential nutrients, especially in areas where high-quality forage is scarce or costly. It is made from a mixture of urea, molasses, and other ingredients such as water, minerals, and sometimes cereal grains or by-products. These techniques provide a preliminary safety and quality check before laboratory analysis. The manual serves as a valuable resource for optimizing feed quality in ruminant and non-ruminant production systems. In conclusion, the researchers and practitioners at Wollo University Animal Nutrition Laboratory adhere strictly to the safety guidelines and protocols outlined in the manual to ensure accurate and reliable feed quality analysis. Additionally, incorporating urea molasses blocks as a supplementary feed in regions with scarce high-quality forage will help improve livestock productivity by providing essential nutrients.
    },
     year = {2024}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
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    AU  - Abebe Mosneh
    Y1  - 2024/12/13
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    AB  - This laboratory manual provides essential protocols and procedures for analyzing animal feed in the Animal Nutrition Laboratory at Wollo University. It is tailored to assist researchers, technical assistants, and students in evaluating feed quality to optimize ruminant nutrition, especially under arid conditions where feed costs impact livestock productivity. The manual covers safety guidelines, sample preparation, and detailed procedures for determining moisture, dry matter, crude protein, crude fiber, ether extract, and ash content in animal feed samples. Special emphasis is placed on using the Kjeldahl method for protein determination and the Soxhlet apparatus for fat extraction. The Kjeldahl method is emphasized for precise protein analysis, while the Soxhlet apparatus is utilized for fat extraction. These analyses ensure accurate evaluation of nutritional content, which is critical for formulating balanced and cost-effective diets. Additionally, the manual includes methods for producing urea molasses blocks, a valuable supplementary feed. Physical evaluation techniques such as assessing color, texture, odor, and mold presence are highlighted for rapid feed quality assessment, ensuring safe and effective diets. Practical methods for producing urea molasses blocks are also included, offering a supplemental feed option to enhance livestock performance. A urea molasses block (UMB) is a type of supplementary feed designed to provide ruminants with essential nutrients, especially in areas where high-quality forage is scarce or costly. It is made from a mixture of urea, molasses, and other ingredients such as water, minerals, and sometimes cereal grains or by-products. These techniques provide a preliminary safety and quality check before laboratory analysis. The manual serves as a valuable resource for optimizing feed quality in ruminant and non-ruminant production systems. In conclusion, the researchers and practitioners at Wollo University Animal Nutrition Laboratory adhere strictly to the safety guidelines and protocols outlined in the manual to ensure accurate and reliable feed quality analysis. Additionally, incorporating urea molasses blocks as a supplementary feed in regions with scarce high-quality forage will help improve livestock productivity by providing essential nutrients.
    
    VL  - 9
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