Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
Elemental analysis is an essential platform in any quantitative research that examines status and conversion of nutrients and chemicals in agricultural materials. Carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, oxygen and sulfur are basic constructive elements of livestock, crops, humans, soil, microbial products, and waste products. The analyses of these macro elements are commonly conducted in the research of animal production, nutritional evaluation, bioprocess engineering, soil science, plant science, food science, and many other disciplines.The essentiality of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur in food production as well as the environmental concerns justify the need for analysis of these elements (Steffen et al., 2015). In both ruminant and non-ruminant nutrition, nitrogen is a key element for environmental sustainability. Feeding excess nitrogen, either in the form of crude protein or non-protein nitrogen, can lead to excretion of ammonia in urine and feces, which can contaminate water supplies (Steinfeld and Wassenaar, 2007). Furthermore, in ruminants, nitrous oxide gas can be emitted from eructated rumen gas and urine when excessive nitrogen is fed (Hristov et al. 2013). Therefore, being able to measure nitrogen concentration of feed, feces, urine, and digesta contents is crucial for conducting research improving environmental sustainability of livestock. Sulfur plays a key role in antioxidant response in animals. While most forms of sulfur are relatively nontoxic, hydrogen sulfide, which can be produced through reductive fermentation of high-sulfur diets, is a toxicant to animals and the environment. There is variation in the concentration of sulfur among feed ingredients and properly managing sulfur in diets is crucial for estimating the potential for H2S production, which can be achieved by measuring sulfur content in feeds and water (Song et al., 2013). The Project Directors (PDs) and their collaborators of this EGP proposal are from multiple academic departments at the College of Food Agriculture and Natural Resources Sciences (CFANS), the University of Minnesota (UMN), including Department of Animal Science, Department of Food Science and Nutrition, and Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering. They share a common need for convenient access to a sensitive and reliable element analyzer for routine research activities. The specific objective of this grant request is to purchase an efficient and environmentally-friendly elemental analyzer for organic materials, including feed, digesta, tissue, agricultural wastes, and fermentation products. The applications of this instrument are necessary for PDs and collaborating scientists to conduct diverse basic and applied research. It will also be a valuable teaching resource for training our graduate students and postdoctoral scholars to become the next generation of scientists and leaders in agricultural science.
Animal Health Component
50%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
50%
Applied
50%
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
The objective of this grant request is to purchase an efficient and environmentally-friendly elemental analyzer for organic materials, including feed, digesta, tissue, agricultural wastes, and fermentation products. The applications of this instrument are necessary for the successful continuance and expansion of many research activities of the Project Directors and collaborating scientists. It is also a valuable resource that will be used to train our graduate students and postdoctoral scholars to become the next generation of scientists and leaders in animal science.
Project Methods
A LECO CN828 Combustion Analyzer with a S832 Add-On will be purchased. This device is an elemental analyzer capable of quantifying carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur in various sample types including feed, soil, feces, urine, digesta, tissue, fermentation products. It is based on the method originally described by Dumas and later modified by Sweeny (1989). Within our college (CFANS), we do not have a combustion unit with the capabilities and dedication for carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur measurement. This system will expand analytical capability, increase laboratory efficiency, improve overall research capacity, improve laboratory safety, and provide for greater cost effectiveness when compared with contract labs.