An attempt to correlate fat and protein content of biological samples with residual carbon after microwave-assisted digestion.
The residual carbon content of a variety of bovine-derived samples and forage was determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry with radial view configuration (ICP-OES) after microwave-assisted digestion under high pressure in a closed vessel. The original carbon concentration in the samples was determined by elemental analysis. The highest amount of original carbon content (64%) was found in viscera. After digestion, up to 75% of it was destroyed. Viscera presented the highest ether extract and blood exhibited a high crude protein content of up to 99%. The efficiency in destroying the organic matter in biological materials seemed to be related to their fat content and showed no significant difficulty for protein-rich samples. The correlation coefficient between the fat content of the samples and the residual carbon after acid decomposition was 0.9173 indicating a fair fit. However, no correlation was observed between % RC and the protein content.
Carrilho
E N
EN
Embrapa Pecuária Sudeste, São Carlos-SP, Brazil.
Nogueira
A R
AR
Nóbrega
J A
JA
de Souza
G B
GB
Cruz
G M
GM
D000818:Animals; D002244:Carbon / Q000032:analysis*; D002417:Cattle; D004986:Ether / Q000737:chemistry; D005223:Fats / Q000032:analysis*; D008872:Microwaves; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis*
D005223:Fats; D011506:Proteins; D004986:Ether; D002244:Carbon