Ankomxt15 fat oil extractor

Before analysing dry matter (DM), ash, and chemical composition, samples of the basal and experimental diets were dried in a fan-forced oven at a constant temperature of 65 °C and subsequently ground through a 1 mm sieve using a Thomas Model 4 Laboratory Mill (Thomas Scientific, Swedesboro, NJ, USA). DM content was determined by placing the ground samples at 150 °C in an oven for 24 h to remove moisture. The samples were combusted in a furnace set at 600 °C for 8 h to determine ash content. Neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre ADF were quantified using an ANKOM220 fibre analyser, while an ANKOM^XT15 fat/oil extractor (ANKOM Technology Corp., Macedon, NY, USA) was used to measure ether extract. The crude protein percentage was calculated based on the value of nitrogen that was determined using a Thermo Finnigan EA 1112 Series Flash Elemental Analyser (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA). Table 2 shows the nutritional composition of the experimental diets.

Every week, feed samples were taken from each pellet bag and bale of lucerne hay and bulked. The bulked samples were stored at −20 °C until the end of the feeding trial. The feed samples were dried at 60 °C over 72 h, ground to pass through a 1 mm sieve using a Laboratory Mill (Thomas Model 4 Wiley® Mill; Thomas Scientific) and analysed using the standard laboratory analytical methods of AOAC³⁹ for DM and ash. Neutral Detergent (NDF) and Acid Detergent (ADF) fibre contents were determined using an Ankom Fibre Analyzer (ANKOM2000; ANKOM Technology, USA). Nitrogen content was quantified using a Thermo Finnigan EA 1112 Series Flash Elemental Analyzer and the values multiplied by 6.25 to give the estimated crude protein (CP) percentage. Ether extract (EE) was analysed using an ANKOM^XT15 fat/oil extractor (ANKOM Technology, USA).