Analysis and Testing of Animal Feed and FEMAS by LSM Analytical Services

Background

LSM Analytical Services offer a large and diverse range of modern analytical testing facilities that cater for a vast range of industry sectors. LSM’s success has been achieved by building on a strong reputation for low cost, fast accurate turnaround. The laboratory activities are backed up by accreditation to the ISO 17025 (UKAS) and 9001:2000 laboratory and quality management standards. LSM is able to offer complete analytical solutions from its internationally recognised team of technical experts, with in depth knowledge, allowing its customers to benefit from impartial guidance.

LSM’s range of analytical services includes:

• X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry (XRF)
• X-Ray Diffraction (XRD)
• ICP Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES)
• Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS)
• Carbon, Sulphur, Nitrogen, Oxygen Analysers
• Boron analysis by the Neutron Transmission method
• Colorimetric and Volumetric Analysis
• Particle Size Analysis

What is the Feed Materials Assurance Scheme (FEMAS)?

The food safety act was introduced in 1990 to ensure the exercise of due diligence throughout the food chain. The feed materials assurance scheme (FEMAS) covers the sourcing and production of feed materials

Industry Standard for Testing Animal Feed Content

The moisture content of animal feed can vary greatly and an important measure for the industry is dry matter (DM) content. This is analysed at LSM Analytical Services by loss on drying where the sample is weighed then exposed to a temperature of 110°C for at least four hours, allowed to cool and then re-weighed to calculate the loss on drying LOD figure.

Ash content of animal feeds are also an important measure. LSM Analytical Services measures ash content in a similar way to the loss on drying technique although in this case the test temperature is much higher. The ash content is calculated on the basis of quantity of material remaining after the “ignition” test.

Important Dietary Content in Animal Feeds

LSM Analytical Services measures the calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), chlorine (Cl), sulphur (S) and zinc (Zn) content as these are important constituents in meeting the required energy, protein and fibre contents of animal feeds.

Summary on Animal Feed Analysis

Animal feed analysis is also required in order to meet maximum limits on the presence of heavy metals and other ions or elements including arsenic (As), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), fluorine (F) and nitrites. The test techniques are designed to try to replicate the conditions inside an animals stomach and so include the use of dilute hydrochloric acid (HCl).

Source: LSM Analytical Services

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