Quantification of protein and phosphorus in livestock feed using mobile NMR sensor technology.

Low-field NMR sensor technology is proposed for accurate and operationally simple on-farm or laboratory determination of protein and phosphorus constituents in livestock feed. The total phosphorus content is determined directly on the native sample, while quantification of digestible protein involves enzymatic digestion here adapted to provide the total protein content. Comparison with traditional laboratory reference analysis for the total protein and phosphorus contents of 31 feed samples (including various grains, feed mixtures, and commercial feed products for cattle, pigs, horses, poultry, and sheep) demonstrate the feasibility and good accuracy of the NMR measurements. Table of contents entry – for TOC only. [Display omitted] • Mobile, multinuclear, low-field NMR for on-farm measurements. • Total/digestible protein and total phosphorus contents. • Direct analysis of bulk sample (raw material for phosphorus, digested for protein). • Feasibility and accuracy demonstrated on feed for a wide range of animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]