Ankom xt 20 extractor

Fresh fecal samples were oven dried at 60 °C for 72 h. The weight before and after drying was recorded to calculate fecal dry matter (DM; Kiarie et al., 2009 (link)). Diet and fecal samples were finely ground (CBG5 Smart Grind, Applica Consumer Products Inc., Shelton, CT) and thoroughly mixed for analyses of DM, crude protein (CP), gross energy (GE), titanium, and Zn. Dry matter was determined using method 930.15 (AOAC, 2005 ) and nitrogen (N) analysis via combustion method 968.06 using a CNS-2000 carbon, N, and sulfur analyzer (LECO-FP 828 analyzer, LECO Instruments Ltd, Mississauga, ON, Canada). Crude protein values were derived by multiplying the assayed N values by a factor of 6.25. Gross energy was determined using a bomb calorimeter (IKA Calorimeter System C 5000; IKA Works, Wilmington, NC). Crude fat content was determined using an ANKOM XT 20 Extractor (Ankom Technology, Fairport, NY). Titanium concentration was measured using the method of Myers et al. (2004) (link). Zn concentration was determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrophotometry (AOAC, 2005 ; method 985.01).

The samples of MB and SB, (Table 1) were analyzed by standard methods of Association of Official Analytical Chemists, AOAC, 2005 [18 ]; dry matter (DM; method 930.15), ash (method 942.05), and nitrogen (method 968.06); nitrogen was assayed by Dumas’ combustion method using Leco Nitrogen analyzer (Leco Corporation, St. Joseph, MI, USA). Crude protein (CP) values were obtained by multiplying assayed Nitrogen values by a factor of 6.25. Gross energy was determined for raw samples by total combustion in a bomb calorimeter (IKA Calorimeter System C 6000; IKA Works, Wilmington, NC, USA). Crude fat analysis was performed via petroleum ether extraction in an ANKOM XT 20 extractor (ANKOM Technology, Fairport, NY, USA). Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) of raw samples were assessed according to Van Soest et al., 1991, using Ankom 200 fiber analyzer (ANKOM Technology, Fairport, NY, USA). All determinations were performed in triplicates, and the results were expressed as the mean.