Proximate analysis: Van Soest fiber analysis

Principle and Scope

top of page

The concept behind the detergent fiber analysis is that plant cells can be divided into less digestible cell walls (contains hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin) and mostly digestible cell contents (contains starch and sugars). Van Soest separated these two components successfully by use of two detergents: a neutral detergent (Na-lauryl sulfate, EDTA, pH =7.0) and an acid detergent (cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide in 1 N H2SO4).
Hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin are indigestible in non-ruminants, while Hemicellulose and Cellulose are partially digestible in ruminants. NDF = Hemicellulose + Cellulose + Lignin ADF = Cellulose + Lignin
Neutral Detergent Fiber is a good indicator of "bulk" and thus feed intake. Acid detergent fiber is a good indicator of digestibility and thus energy intake

van soest
Figure: Principle of detergent partitioning of the fiber fraction by Van Soest

Although aquaculture does not deal with ruminants at all, it may be useful to be aware of these analysis. For instance dealing with plant material as imortant feed ingredient or dealing with herbivorous fish.

Reagents

top of page

Reagents for NDF determination (Neutral detergent fiber)

  1. Neutral detergent solution:
    • Sodium borate decahydrate (Na2B4O7 - 10 H2O) 6.81 g
    • Disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA, C10H14N2Na2O8)
    • 18.61 g Sodium lauryl sulfate neutral (C12H25NaO4S)
    • 30 g 2-ethoxyethanol (Ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, Cellosolve, C4H10O2)
    • 10 ml Disodium phosphate anhydrous (Na2HPO4) 4.56 g
    • Distilled water 1000 ml. Pour Sodium borate and disodium EDTA in a beaker and dissolve with a part of distilled water while heating. Add lauryl sulfate and 2-ethoxyethanol. Separately dissolve disodium phosphate in part of distilled water while heating until complete solution is obtained. Mix the two solutions and the remaining distilled water and control the pH which must be between 6.9 and 7.1
  2. 2. n-octanol (C8H18O) octilic alcohol
  3. 3. Sodium sulfite anhydrous (Na2SO3) 4. Acetone

Reagents for ADF determination (Acid detergent fiber)

  1. Acid detergent solution:
    • Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide technical grade (C19H42BrN) 20 g
    • Sulfuric acid 1 N (H2SO4, 49.04 g/l) 1 l
    • Dissolve tensioactive into acid while stirring to promote dissolution.
  2. n-octanol (C8H18O) octilic alcohol.
  3. Acetone.
Procedure

top of page

Procedure for NDF determination (Neutral detergent fiber)

  1. Grind the air dried sample to pass 1 mm screen.
  2. Weigh in a crucible 1 g of grinded sample with 1 mg approximation.
  3. Add 100 ml of neutral detergent solution at room temperature into crucible with 0.5 g of sodium sulfite and some drops of n-octanol.
  4. Heat to boiling and reflux 60 minutes from onset of boiling.
  5. Filter and wash 3 times with boiling water, then twice with cold acetone.
  6. Dry 8 hours at 105 °C and let cool in a desiccator.
  7. Weigh.
  8. Calculate neutral detergent fiber: NDF % = (weight of crucible + weight of residue) - weight of crucible / weight of sample x 100. Neutral detergent solubles: NDS % = 100 - NDF %.
  9. Ash in a muffle at 550 °C 2 hours and let cool in a desiccator.
  10. Weigh.
  11. Calculate ash insoluble in neutral detergent: loss on ashing / weight of sample x 100.
Procedure for ADF determination (Acid detergent fiber)
  1. Grind the air dried sample to pass 1 mm screen.
  2. Weigh in a crucible 1 g of grinded sample with 1 mg approximation.
  3. Add 100 ml of acid detergent solution at room temperature and some drops of n-octanol.
  4. Heat to boiling and reflux 60 minutes from onset of boiling.
  5. Filter and wash 3 times with boiling water, then twice with cold acetone.
  6. Dry 8 hours at 105 °C and let cool in a desiccator.
  7. Weigh.
  8. Calculate acid detergent fiber: ADF % = (weight of crucible + weight of residue) - weight of crucible / weight of sample x 100.
  9. Ash in a muffle at 550 °C 2 hours and let cool in a desiccator.
  10. Weigh.
  11. Calculate ash insoluble in acid detergent: loss on ashing / weight of sample x 100.