Introduction, aims and history Livestock and Poultry Nutrition Laboratory of Kermanshah Animal Science Research Department has been known for 50 years as a reference laboratory in the field of analysis of ready-made feed for livestock, poultry and aquatic animals in the province and has always been the focus of private and public sectors due to its experienced staff.
Duties
Teaching the process of testing samples sent to colleagues and trainees
Cooperation with private and public sectors in the analysis of sent samples
Cooperation with executive bodies and related universities
Analyzing samples of feed raw materials and ready feed for livestock, poultry and aquatic animals sent from inside and outside the province
Kermanshah
Cooperation in the implementation of research and laboratory projects of different research departments of the Center for Research and Education of Agriculture and Natural Resources of Kermanshah Province
Conducting tests related to samples submitted in the form of student theses
Common activities of animal and poultry nutrition laboratory
Nutrition is of particular importance in raising domestic animals. Nutrition based on scientific principles, while it can meet the needs of livestock, also prevents the wastage of capital, so it becomes necessary to prepare a balanced diet for livestock.
The chemical composition of different foods differs greatly according to the source and place of preparation of these food items. Therefore, livestock and poultry feed analysis is considered one of the most important and main tests in this regard.
Below is the introduction of the experiments related to livestock and poultry nutrition that are carried out in the laboratory of the animal science department of the Kermanshah Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center:
Measurement of dry matter (DM): dry matter is the total amount of food without considering moisture, which includes the total of protein, fat, crude fiber and mineral elements in the food. To measure the percentage of dry matter, the moisture percentage obtained is subtracted from the number 100.
Crude protein measurement in animal feed (CP): The Kjeldahl method is used to obtain the amount of nitrogen in the sample, and based on that, the amount of protein is calculated. In this sample method, it is digested in concentrated sulfuric acid and all its nitrogen, except nitrate and nitrite forms, is converted into ammonium nitrate, and in the distillation part, by adding sodium hydroxide, its ammonia is separated and collected inside the standard boric acid solution. and the amount of nitrogen is obtained by titration, colorimetry and pH.
Measurement of crude fiber (CF): Carbohydrates in food are divided into crude fiber and nitrogen-free extract. A part of carbohydrates that do not dissolve in acidic and alkaline solution is called "raw fiber". Proteins and sugars are digested in acid and fat in alkali. Many minerals also dissolve.
Measuring fat by Soxhlet method: Fat includes organic acids, alcohols and pigments and is extracted from the sample by Soxhlet method.
Measurement of raw ash (ASH): The residue of animal feed after burning in an electric furnace with high heat is called "ash" in which organic materials are destroyed and only mineral materials remain. The produced ash often contains substances such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, manganese, calcium, iron, sulfur, phosphorus and chlorine.
Measurement of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P): In the measurement of phosphorus and calcium, sample ash must first be prepared, in which case water and other volatile substances evaporate and organic substances burn in the vicinity of oxygen. Mineral salts usually remain in ash in the form of oxides, sulfates, phosphates, silicates, and chlorides. To measure calcium, it is precipitated as calcium oxalate, the sediment is dissolved by sulfuric acid and converted into oxalic acid, and the amount of calcium is estimated by titrating oxalic acid with potassium permanganate. Phosphorus also reacts in the form of orthophosphate with vanadate and ammonium molybdate solutions and produces a yellow complex, which can be measured by spectrophotometer at 420 nm wavelength, and by referring to the standard curve, the amount of phosphorus in the food determined.
Measurement of non-digestible fiber in neutral solution (NDF): refers to the measurement of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, silica, tannins and cutins and provides an accurate assessment of the fibrous or cell wall components of food.
Measurement of indigestible fiber in acid solution (ADF): It is the fraction of indigestible fiber of forage, which includes lignin and cellulose. As its level increases in forage, the level of digestible energy decreases.
Acid-insoluble ash (AIA): The part of the raw ash sample that contains mainly silica. It is insoluble in acidic solution and is formed as a result of feed contamination with soil, sand or other pollutants. In addition, this factor is also used as a factor to measure digestibility.
No nitrogen
Lignin
NIR