Determination of total calcium, zinc, manganese, iron, magnesium and phosphorus in animal feeds and plant material using inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry

Abstract

Six elements (Ca, Zn, Mn, Fe, Mg and P) were determined in diluted Kjeldahl digests of animal feeds using inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry. The total concentrations found for each of the six elements, in a range of animal feeds, compared favourably with concentrations determined by alternative methods. There was a small but significant difference between calcium methods only. The same analytical conditions for feeds can be used in the analysis of plant materials, as results for five NBS plant reference materials were in good agreement with the assigned values. Precision estimates for a single sample assay were acceptable for a routine, first-action, regulatory method.