The use of physical analysis to estimate the chemical composition of feed ingredientes

Abstract

The purpose of this experiment was to verify if feed "bulk density" would be a good indication of chemical components of feeds such as 40% crude protein cotton (C) and soybean (S) meals and rice bran (RB). The bromatological analysis as carried out at the central laboratory of Purina Nutrimentos Ltda., located at in Paulinia, State of São Paulo, Brazil. Samples of feed came from different locations of the country. Increasing proportions - zero, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 100% - of hulls were added to C, S and RB, as treatments, in a randomised experimental design. The addition of hulls influenced significantly (P < 0,05) the bulk density , in a negative way for C and S, and in a positive way for RB. Bulk density was correlated to crude protein and fiber for C and S (R² >; 70 and 80% respectively), but there was no correlation to any component of RB. Bulk density could also indicate fraudulence due to the addition of hulls to meals.