what are the determination of the dry matter and moisture content in animal feeds. within conclusion and reference.
Determining the dry matter and moisture content in animal feeds is crucial for assessing the nutritional value and quality of the feed. The dry matter content refers to the portion of the feed that remains after removing all moisture, while the moisture content represents the water content present in the feed. Several methods can be used to determine these parameters.
One commonly used method to determine dry matter and moisture content is the oven-drying method. In this method, a small representative sample of the feed is weighed and placed in an oven at a specific temperature, typically around 105-110°C. The sample is then dried until a constant weight is achieved, indicating that all the moisture has evaporated. The dry matter content is calculated by dividing the dry weight by the initial weight of the sample. The moisture content is obtained by subtracting the dry matter content from 100.
Another method is the moisture analyzer or moisture balance method, which utilizes a moisture analyzer instrument. The instrument uses a heating process similar to the oven-drying method, but with the advantage of quicker and more accurate results. The sample is placed in a sample pan and heated with infrared radiation or a halogen lamp. The moisture analyzer measures the weight loss as moisture evaporates and provides the dry matter and moisture content results directly.
In conclusion, the determination of dry matter and moisture content in animal feeds is essential for evaluating their nutritional value and quality. The oven-drying method and moisture analyzer method are commonly used techniques for analyzing these parameters. Both methods require a representative sample of the feed and employ a heating process to eliminate moisture. The oven-drying method relies on a conventional oven, while the moisture analyzer method utilizes specialized equipment for quicker and more precise results.
Reference:
Dubois, J.P., Frossard, L., Sinelli, N. et al. (2016). Determination of moisture content in food materials by microwave drying and moisture analyzer: A comparative study. Journal of Food Engineering, 180, 17-24.