Journal of AOAC to publish pioneering feed standards work by FOSS
An article describing a FOSS pioneered standard for analysis of fibre in feedstuffs has been accepted for publication in the Journal of AOAC INTERNATIONAL.
The article entitled ‘Gravimetric Determination of Acid Detergent Fibre (ADF) and Lignin (ADL) in Feed: Interlaboratory Study’ has been written by Dr Jürgen Möller of FOSS. It describes the method behind the new global standard for ADF and ADL that has recently been approved by CEN and ISO (EN ISO 13906:2008). The article is scheduled for publication in the January/February, 2009 edition.
New standard for international trade
The method described in the article is based on the AOAC Official Method 973.18. This makes it possible to use a globally harmonized standard protocol for the determination of Acid Detergent Fibre (ADF) and Lignin (ADL) and opens-up the opportunity to use the ADF and ADL parameters for labelling purposes in international trade.
“The standard enables official bodies to require fibre guarantees on livestock feed labels and it enables international trade on basis of a harmonised protocol,” said Möller.
Acid detergent fiber is a good indicator of digestibility and thus energy intake. In many countries, the parameter is complementing or replacing crude fibre. The protocol is also used for the determination of protein quality, acid detergent insoluble protein or nitrogen, that is, the protein that is not accessible for digestion.
Fibertec™ system as an optimal solution
The standard is also important for the ISO 17025 accreditation of laboratories using the FOSS Fibertec™ system and for the development of NIR prediction models.
Laboratories no longer need to worry about the validity of their methods - by following the standard, the results will be valid worldwide. The Fibertec instrument is an optimal solution and was used at 18 of the 22 labs involved in the inter-laboratory study.
The Journal of AOAC INTERNATIONAL
The journal is regarded as the "main" information channel for the latest in basic and applied research in the analytical sciences related to foods, drugs, agriculture, and the environment with contributions from leaders in the fields of chemical and biological analysis. It includes fully refereed contributed papers: on original research on new techniques and applications, collaborative studies, authentic data of composition, studies leading to method development, meeting symposia, newly adopted AOAC approved methods and invited reviews. More information.
Article Abstract
On basis of the AOAC Official Method 973.18 a collaborative study for the determination of acid detergent fibre (ADF) and lignin (ADL) in animal feeding stuff using six animal feed and forage samples as blind duplicates was performed, involving 22 participants from 7 countries. The samples analyzed covered a range from 3,5 to 70 % ADF and from < 1 to 20 % ADL. Repeatability standard deviations ranged from 0,27 % to 0,95 % ADF and from 0,08 % to 0,59 % ADL. The reproducibility standard deviations ranged from 0,56 % to 2,44 % ADF and from 0,52 % to 2,09 % ADL.
Analyzed samples comprised clover and grass silages, soymeal, cattle feed, wheat and saw dust.
The studied method has been published as EN ISO 13906:2008 standard.
More information
A description of the EN ISO 13906:2008 method can be ordered via the ISO web site. More information about Fibertec can be found here.
