ANKOM RF - Manual (Page 44)

Operator’s Manual
pg. 44
Rev F 8/29/14
Sample Preparation
The quantity of sample (substrate) to add to the Module will vary from 1g for a forage sample with minimal
fermentable substrate to 0.25 g for a highly fermentable substrate such as a high starch diet. In addition to the
quantity of fermentable substrate, the length of time the incubation is conducted must be taken into consideration.
The quantities of substrate and buffer may be sufficient for 24 hour incubation but may not be sufficient for a 48
hour incubation. By measuring the pH at the end of the incubation period you can determine if the buffer
maintained the proper pH throughout the incubation. This will allow you to alter the substrate-to-buffer ratio to fit
the desired incubation period.
References
1. Theodorou, M.K., Lowman, R.S., Davies, Z.S.,Cuddleford, D., and Owen. E., 1998, Principles of
techniques that rely on gas measurement in ruminant nutrition. Occasional Publication No. 22, British
Society of Animal Science. p. 55.
2. Pell, A.N., Pitt, R.E., Doane, P.H., and Schofield, P., 1998, The development, use and application of gas
production technique at Cornell University, USA, p.45.
3. Goering, H.K. and Van Soest, P.J., 1970, Forage fiber analysis (apparatus, reagents, procedures and some
applications), Agricultural Handbook No. 379 ARS-USDA, Washington, DC.
4. Cone, J.W., 1998, The development, use and application of he gas production technique at the DLO
Institute for Animal Science and Health (IO-DOL), Lelystad, The Netherlands, Occasional Publication
No. 22, British Society of Animal Science. p. 65.
5. Marten, G.C. and Barnes, R.F., 1980, Prediction of Energy Digestibility of Forages with In Vitro Rumen
Fermentation and Fungal Enzyme Systems, in Standardization of analytical methodology for feeds:
Proceedings of a workshop held in Ottawa, Canada. 12-14 March 1979. Ottawa, Ont. IDRC.