Pet Food Testing and Analysis for Fiber Content, Protein, Fat Composition

Pet Food and Feedstuff Analysis:
Delivering Trusted Results on Your Lab Bench

At Xylem, we're passionate about empowering laboratories with innovative instruments that redefine the standards of precision, efficiency, and reliability in testing. Our comprehensive product range is designed to meet the unique challenges of analyzing pet food and feedstuff, ensuring that every sample is meticulously evaluated to meet the highest quality and safety standards.

With Xylem's advanced instruments, laboratories can reduce turnaround times and maintain regulatory compliance with confidence. Whether you're analyzing fiber content, determining protein levels, assessing fat composition, or conducting a range of other crucial tests, our solutions provide the performance you can rely on.

Explore our product showcase and discover how Xylem is transforming pet food and feedstuff analysis, one precise measurement at a time.

pet food feedstuffs protein fiber fat sugars moisture instrumentation

Fiber Analysis

Understanding the difference between crude fiber and dietary fiber is essential for accurate nutritional evaluations. In feed analysis, crude fiber specifically targets the insoluble portions of plant cell walls, including cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. These components, while indigestible, are vital for assessing animal health as they aid in digestion and support gut health. In contrast, dietary fiber in food encompasses both soluble and insoluble parts of plant-based foods. Measuring crude fiber helps ensure the nutritional accuracy and overall well-being of animals by maintaining proper digestive functions.

pet food fiber analysis

plant cell wall structure

Above is a schematic of a plant cell wall, highlighting the complex network of pectin, cellulose, microfibrils, hemicellulose, proteins, starch, and more. This intricate structure poses a challenge in fiber analysis as we need to break down and remove all non-fiber components from the plant sample, leaving only the fiber constituents. To achieve this, we can adjust the run time, select appropriate detergents (acidic or alkaline), and customize the detergent sequence. The FIBRETHERM system simplifies this process, making it easy to meet official methods such as AOAC 962.09 for crude fiber in animal feed and pet food.

The FIBRETHERM automated fiber analyzer allows for a variety of parameter adjustments and offers a simple and automatic process for fiber determination in feedstuff. Our proprietary FIBREBAG technology guarantees time savings (no sealing necessary), consistent pore size, reproducibility, and standardized analytical conditions, delivering reliable results every time.

Experience the convenience of analyzing up to 12 samples simultaneously, optimizing efficiency and saving valuable space on your laboratory bench.

pet food fiber analysis fibretherm instrument

FIBRETHERM Fiber Analyzer: Automated fiber determination

Protein/Nitrogen

Measuring nitrogen content in pet food and feedstuff is a critical aspect of nutritional analysis, determining protein levels and assessing overall product quality. The Dumas and Kjeldahl methods, prominent techniques for nitrogen analysis, differ in principles but share the measurement of nitrogen content. The Kjeladhl method involves digesting the sample with concentrated sulfuric acid and a metal catalyst, and then distilling the resulting solution to release ammonia, which is titrated to calculate nitrogen content. In contrast, the Dumas method, also known as combustion analysis, offers a modern and efficient alternative. It involves combusting the sample at high temperatures to convert nitrogen into nitrogen oxides, which are then reduced and quantified using a using a thermal conductivity detector (TCD).

We have automated solutions for both methods depending on your laboratory throughput and standards.

Kjeldahl Method

Below is a schematic of the Kjeldahl method and the intricacies and steps involved. The second schematic shows the power of automation with Gerhardt.

kjeldahl method

If the Kjeldahl method for crude protein (AOAC 990.03) is being used, we offer a comprehensive solution to streamline this time-consuming process, making it efficient, safer, faster, reproducible, and more precise.

Our KJELDATHERM block digestor, paired with the VACUSOG fume scrubber, is designed for flexibility. Its automatic and programmable heating saves valuable time, while the preheated digestion block awaits your samples. With a range of tube sizes accommodating 8, 20, or 40 samples at a time, even foamy, fatty, and heterogeneous samples are handled with ease.

Following digestion, simply move your samples to the VAPODEST steam distillation system, which delivers results in just 4 minutes. Our VAPODEST series offers various models with different degrees of automation, catering to your specific needs. From the straightforward smart version suitable for a small number of samples to fully automated systems featuring integrated titration and an autosampler for high sample throughput, we have you covered.

Dumas Method

Consider the Dumas method to increase throughput, improve efficiency, decrease cost per sample, and reduce consumption of hazardous chemicals. Whether your samples are solid or liquid, or contain high or low nitrogen content, the N-Realyzer guarantees reliable and precise results for up to 100 samples unattended, regardless of the sample matrix.

Carefully designed features ensure seamless operation and cost efficiency. Tool-free sealing facilitates quick consumable changes, while a regenerable CO2 adsorber maximizes usage efficiency. With intuitive operation, low downtime, and sample-optimized oxygen usage, the N-Realyzer maintains a low cost per sample without compromising on accuracy or reliability.

Fat

When it comes to food analysis, fat content holds a pivotal role, sharing the stage with crucial parameters like moisture, protein, fiber, and sodium. While often associated with dietary caution, fat is far more than just a nutritional component. It plays an important role in food quality assessment, energy content determination, and even product market value. In the context of animal feed the fat content is vital for determining the feeds nutritional value. The Weibull-Stodlt/Weibull-Berntrop gravimetric reference method, regarded for its precision and reliability as well as its versatility is what we emphasize with the HYDROTHERM-SOXTHERM duo.

These innovative instruments are reshaping the landscape of total fat analysis in laboratories. By automating and optimizing critical steps such as hydrolysis and extraction, they enhance accuracy, precision, speed, safety, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness. Whether you are managing high sample volumes, dealing with heterogeneous samples, or simply aiming to improve laboratory efficiency we can help you with the HYDROTHERM automated hydrolysis system in 90 minutes and the SOXTHERM automated extraction system 4x faster than traditional Soxhlet.

Watch our recorded webinar: Automate Your Total Fat Analysis

Peroxide/Moisture Content/Free Fatty Acid/Salt

Measuring parameters like free fatty acids (FFA), sodium chloride (salt), peroxide levels, and moisture content in pet food is necessary for ensuring product quality, safety, and nutritional integrity. Monitoring FFA levels helps assess lipid oxidation, which can impact the freshness and shelf life of pet food products. Controlling sodium chloride levels ensures the right taste and palatability while preventing health issues related to excessive salt content. Measuring peroxide levels is essential to evaluate the oxidative stability of fats and oils used in pet food, ensuring they meet nutritional standards and remain safe for consumption. Additionally, monitoring moisture content helps prevent microbial growth, maintain product texture, and ensure proper storage conditions. By measuring these parameters accurately, pet food manufacturers can maintain consistent quality, nutritional balance, and customer satisfaction with their products.

Introducing the TitroLine® 7800: the 2-in-1 titrator solution. This versatile instrument is capable of performing both potentiometric titrations and volumetric Karl Fischer titrations, providing unparalleled flexibility in your laboratory.

pet food testing free fatty acids sodium chloride peroxide moisture

Powered by IDS® (intelligent, digital sensors) technology, the TitroLine® 7800 ensures precise and reliable measurements by converting analog signals into digital values directly within the sensor. This innovative approach protects the signal from external interferences such as moisture, electromagnetic fields, or pulses, guaranteeing higher accuracy and confidence in your readings. With our proprietary TITROSOFT software, developed in-house, you have the ability to perform titrations in parallel or connect multiple titrators seamlessly. This intuitive software enhances productivity and workflow efficiency, making titration processes smoother and more streamlined than ever before.

pH/Dissolved Oxygen/Conductivity

Quality control and environmental monitoring require pet food manufacturers to test for parameters such as pH, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), Conductivity and more. pH can affect the shelf life, taste, and overall product safety. DO testing on the effluent is important to ensure that harmful anaerobic conditions are not present. We have a 3 in 1 instrument: Meet the Multilab 4010-3W. Connect IDS (Intelligent Digital Sensors) probes to the MultiLab 4010-3W for the measurement of DO/BOD, pH, ORP, and conductivity in any combination. Ion selective electrodes (ISEs) can also be connected to the instrument. Easily configure it to meet your application.

Effluent/Nutrient Discharge

Testing for various nitrogen compounds, such as ammonia nitrogen, total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), and nitrates and nitrites (US EPA 350.1/ 351.2/353.2), in pet food manufacturing effluent is important. Ensuring compliance with environmental regulations is paramount, as these nitrogen compounds can significantly impact water quality and aquatic ecosystems. High levels of ammonia, nitrates and nitrites can lead to eutrophication, causing algal blooms and oxygen depletion in water bodies, which can harm aquatic life. Additionally, monitoring these compounds helps pet food manufacturers optimize their production processes, minimize waste, and enhance sustainability efforts. Accurate and reliable testing of these parameters is essential for maintaining environmental responsibility and operational efficiency.

pet food feedstuffs effluent

Nitrate/Nitrite/Ammonia

The Flow Solution 3700 (FS3700) platform—the epitome of efficiency, flexibility, and user-friendliness for automating wet chemistry analyses. Whether you require segmented flow analysis (SFA), flow injection analysis (FIA), injected segmented flow analysis (iSFA), or segmented flow injection analysis (SFIA), the FS3700 has you covered.

With our expertise at your disposal, we simplify your testing process, enabling you to focus on your research and analysis without the hassle of manual procedures or the need to send samples to outside laboratories. Trust the FS3700 to streamline your wet chemistry analyses, ensuring confidence in meeting permit regulations and elevating your laboratory performance to new heights.

Sugars

pet food analysis sugars

In the world of pet food, sugars are not just about sweet treats, they play a crucial role in the overall health of our pets. Testing for sugars like glucose, sucrose, and lactose in dog food ensures that our canine companions get the right balance of nutrients without any unexpected surprises. Monitoring glucose levels helps maintain energy and manage weight, while sucrose adds a touch of palatability, making meals more appealing. Keeping an eye on lactose is essential, especially for dogs with sensitive stomachs, to avoid digestive discomfort.

The YSI 2900D Biochemistry Analyzer can support these analyses. The patented Immobilized Enzyme Technology (IET) enables rapid and precise measurement of specific analytes levels within minutes. Sample preparation is simplified thanks to the technology's resilience to sample color, pH variations, turbidity, cell concentrations, salts, proteins, detergents, and other low molecular interferences.

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