Abstract
Official samples of commercial pig feed mixes taken for routine inspection were analyzed by near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS). Separate calibrations were established for pre-starting pig, starting pig, growing pig, finishing pig, and lactating sow feeds. Mean correlation coefficients and standard errors of calibration, respectively, obtained by comparing NIRS values with conventional chemical analysis values, were as follows: calibration set (about 35 samples per category)-moisture 0.87,0.44%; protein 0.90,0.75%; fiber 0.8b, 0.49%; analytical set (about 15 samples per category)—moisture 0.73, 0.42%; protein 0.90, 0.72%; fiber 0.83, 0.40%. Mean coefficients of variation for NIRS were moisture 3.9%, protein 4.2%, and fiber 14.8%; those for conventional analyses were moisture 2.7%, protein 1.1%, and fiber 11.7%. The results indicated that for moisture, protein, and fiber determinations in commercial pig feed mix products with various and unknown formulations, successful rapid NIRS analysis could be achieved by using a filter-type spectrometer and advanced mathematical data treatments. Among 246 samples inspected, protein content in 70% of them exceeded by 1-8% the legal minimum protein level. Application of NIRS provides an accurate and prompt on-line technique for feed mix analysis during the formulation process and can be beneficial to the operation of feed mills. For official inspection, the technique might serve as a preliminary screening method.
