The need for “nutritionally balanced” diets arose with the adoption of intensive Animal Farming practices in the 18th Century. However, Farm Feeds lacked the diversity present in Pastoral feeds. As such healthy & efficient growth of livestock required the availability of highly nutritious & balanced feeds.
The development of the “Proximate Analysis System” in Germany in the 1860s allowing feed to be analyzed for determination of Crude Fibre, Nitrogen (and thus Crude Protein), Ash & Moisture is of particular significance and is in use even today (‘Proximate Analysis’).
The pelletization of fine, unpalatable & variable-density feeds and the by-products of processed grains began in the US in the 1920s. This was followed by the formulation of complex Feeds based on newly identified Essential Trace Minerals & Synthetic Vitamins in the 40s & the 50s. The addition of Antibiotics to feeds also came into practice.
The success of Commercial Animal Farming is dependent on the healthy growth and development of Animals. The availability of Nutritious Animal Food & Feed is driven by the need for nutritious food for farmed animals & domesticated Pets and the enforcement of Regulatory Standards. FAO characterizes Feeds as complex materials with specific physical and chemical characteristics that affect the results of the Animal Nutrition Process.
The Product Approval process requires Testing of Nutritional Content, Additives & Preservatives which is to be submitted to Regulatory authorities. EFRAC analyses the quality of processed Animal Feeds (Cattle, Poultry, Chicken, Dog, Cat, etc.) & Nutritional Supplements based on Standards & Parameters laid down in IS, FSSAI, ISO, FCC, AOAC, APHA Regulations.
PARAMETERSWET CHEMISTRY: • Moisture, Total ash • Acid insoluble ash • Crude Protein • Non-protein nitrogen • True protein • Crude Fat • Salt • Energy INSTRUMENT (HPLC): • Vitamin Analysis • Amino Acid Analysis INSTRUMENT (UV): • Phosphorus OTHER PARAMETERS: • Metabolizable energy • Calcium • Pepsin digestibility Index • Minerals • Heavy metals • Aflatoxins METHOD OF ANALYSIS• FSSAI Laboratory Manual • IS • ISO • AOAC • APHA • FCC INSTRUMENTS• HPLC • GC-FID • GC-MS • LC-MS • UPLC • ICP-MS • ICP-OES • AAS • IC • ELISA |