Crude Fiber Analysis Without Asbestos

Abstract

Abstract Hoist reported on new filtration equipment that incorporates a vacuum manifold with an air metering device that provides the operator precise control over the vacuum applied. This equipment, which eliminated asbestos, was used in a study on acid-detergent fiber, cellulose, and lignin determinations. Improved precision and good accuracy were obtained with less time involved for each analysis. One analyst can complete 72 determinations in an 8 hr day. The data were in good agreement with the official AOAC method. Ten collaborative Association of American Feed Control Officials check feed samples (1973) were analyzed independently twice with this method and the results were in good agreement with the reported grand average of the data for the check feed samples. An average range of 0.066% fiber was obtained with an average difference from the reported grand average of +0.0195% fiber. In other experiments, over a 3 week period, 5 forage samples with a fiber content of 3–30% were analyzed singly each week by the reported method and the official final action AOAC method, 7.050–7.054. The average range for the AOAC method was 0.54% and for the crude fiber method without asbestos 0.29%. Important advantages of this method are precision, accuracy, rapidity, and the elimination of asbestos fibers and the hazardg associated with their inhalation.