2.3. Chemical analysis
Representative samples of feeds, faeces and urine were taken for analysis. The DM
content of feed and faeces was determined using oven drying at 100 ±5
C overnight,
while organic matter (OM) was determined by ashing in a muffle furnace for 3 h at 550
C.
Moisture-free samples were extracted with petroleum ether (boiling range, 40–60
C) for
8 h in preweighed beakers using Goldfish Extraction apparatus. The ether extract (EE) was
obtained after evaporating the ether. Faecal samples for gross energy (GE) estimation were
dried at 40
◦
C and the urine samples were kept in deep freeze without any preservative. The
GE content of feed, faeces and urine was measured in an adiabatic Autobomb Calorimeter
(Gallenkamp). The nitrogen content of samples was analyzed by steam distillation using a
Kjeltec Auto 1030 Analyzer (‘Tecator’, Sweden) following Kjeldahl digestion. The nitrogen
content (code no. 7.0033–7.037) was determined as per AOAC (1984). Feed samples
were analyzed for neutral detergent fibre using sodium sulphite following procedure A as
described by Van Soest et al. (1991) and acid detergent fibre contents as per the method
given by AOAC (973.18, 1990). Mimosine content of LLLT was determined as described
by Brewbaker and Kaye (1981).
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