When it comes to determining the plant fibre content of feedstuffs, the Weende method is the standard process. Here, one key step in the analysis is to filter the sample; this generally involves a glass frit with a defined porosity. However, this method is relatively time-consuming and prone to error. For example, with frequent use, leaks can occur or the porosity of the glass frits can change. In addition, substances that are released by samples during boiling may enter the pores of the frit, leading to a drawn-out filtration process.
To solve this, we developed the FibreBag, a filter bag made of textile with a constant mesh size that easily avoids the above-mentioned problems associated with the use of glass frits. The FibreBags are not only easier to handle and simplify digestion of the samples, they also provide better and more reliable analytical results.
This report examined the context of crude fibre content determination to establish whether FibreBag technology leads to results that are comparable to those of the official VDLUFA method, and if so, to what extent.
