Misrepresentation: Case study of metabolizable energy determination in feed and ingredient samples

Abstract

Nutritional value of feed and ingredients are evaluated using precise and accurate values predetermined quantitatively but not all parameters are determined using equipment. The values of such components may be determined by including a constant coefficient previously derived or endorsed and agreed upon by professionals to give a prediction equation. Such is the case of Metabolizable Energy which the World Poultry Science Association adopted to be 37% x Protein + 81.8 x % Fat +35.5 x % NFE as reported by Pauzenga in 1985. Several constant coefficients now crop up in references which does not represent the original text, thus the need to put the records straight so that new researchers can be rightly guided. Editors and reviewers can also take a cue from this.

 Keywords: Metabolizable Energy, Calculation, Pauzenga, Feed, Prediction equation.