Republic of the Philippines

University of Southeastern Philippines

College of Agriculture and Related Sciences
Tagum-Mabini Campus
Mabini Unit

An Sci 312

Laboratory Report – Feed Stuff Microscopy

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
For the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Agriculture

Submitted by:

Mike Anthony Ada

BSA 3a1 – An Sci

Submitted to:

JONASH BUNDA
Instructor

December 2024
Introduction
Feed is the food served to the livestock to be able to meet their nutrient and dietary
requirements. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), feed is
"edible materials consumed by animals that contribute energy and/or nutrients to
their diet." It is very important in animal husbandry because it is especially
formulated to meet the specific nutritional requirements of different species, ages,
and production purposes, such as milk production, meat growth, or egg-laying.
Feeds are made up of various feedstuffs. Feedstuffs are mainly divided into three
categories, which are forages, concentrates, and supplements. Forages include
grass, hay, and silage, which contain high fiber and are necessary for ruminants.
Concentrates include grains and oilseeds, which are highly energetic and proteinous
in nature and are used on fast-growing or high-performing animals. Supplements
provide added vitamins and minerals to enhance the overall nutrition of livestock
(Jabalpur et al., n.d.). Feedstuff microscopy is a valuable method used in the
assessment of the quality and safety of animal feed by examining it under a
microscope.

According to Deering (2020), this technique is an underutilized approach in the feed

industry despite its potential for rapid and effective quality assessment. It is
particularly useful in identifying raw materials and reducing contamination risks
during storage and manufacturing. By closely examining feed ingredients,
microscopy helps detect unwanted materials such as dirt, hair, or harmful
substances, thereby ensuring that the feed is safe and of high quality (FAO and IFIF,
2010). This laboratory report will discuss the microscopy analysis of feedstuff
samples to evaluate their overall quality and ensure compliance with safety
standards. This laboratory report aims to:

 Understand various types of feedstuffs in terms of their composition,

classification, and role in livestock nutrition.
 Assess the quality of feedstuff samples in terms of physical and microscopic
characteristics for proper safety and nutritional standards.
Review of Related Literature
Feeds
Feed is composed of various feedstuff that has been formulated by experts to fulfill
the nutritional needs of a livestock (Gizzi and Givens, n.d.). As written in the article of
Loosli and Holden (n.d.), they said that Modern feeds are produced by carefully
selecting and blending ingredients to provide highly nutritional diets that both
maintain the health of the animals and increase the quality of such end products as
meat, milk, or eggs.

Feed Microscopy
Feed microscopy is one of the crucial processes undertaken for testing feed quality,
whereby it helps in making available nutritional diet to animals when released in the
market. As described by Klein and Marquard (n.d.), feed microscopy becomes all the
more helpful for studying the bulk commodities utilized for preparing the feed where
it also finds any undesirable admixture or extraneous materials existing within the
feed. This procedure is also crucial for finding missing ingredients and for
determining the existence of insects, fragments of insects, and other impurities that
might accumulate over time. Utilizing feed microscopy, safety and nutritional integrity
of animal feeds can be thoroughly evaluated so that health risks to the animals can
be avoided.

Methodology
Material
 Feeds sample: yellow corn, cracked corn, split green peas, mung bean,
soybean, copra meal, salt, wheat, sorghum, MDCP, and limestone
 Microscope
 Petri dish

Yellow corn

Cracked corn
Split green peas
Mung bean
Soybean
Copra meal
Salt
Wheat
Sorghum
MDCP
Limestone

In November, third-year Animal Science students carried out a feedstuff microscopy

laboratory activity. This exercise helped the students understand feedstuffs better
and assess the quality of various feed ingredients. The laboratory experiment was
conducted in the Animal Science Laboratory in Artic.

For the microscopic analysis, each vial containing a feed sample—such as yellow
corn, cracked corn, split green peas, mung beans, soybean, copra meal, salt, wheat,
sorghum, MDCP, and limestone was carefully placed on separate petri dishes, with
enough space between them for clear observation under the microscope.

Microscopy tests of each sample were conducted in search of the presence of mold,
fungal growth, or other foreign particles and defects. Physical appearance and
presence of contaminants of each feed ingredient were documented. Following
testing, the microscope and slides were cleaned and sanitized for preventing cross-
contamination. Feed samples were returned into the sample containers and properly
stored in an aseptic condition for future consumption.

Conclusion
The feedstuff microscopy laboratory ⁶ demonstrates the important value of
microscopy as an essential tool or process in assessing the quality and safety of
animal feed that is being disseminated from different markets. Careful examination of
feedstuff samples by microscopic analysis helps identify contaminants, verifies
ingredient composition, and ensures that the feed meets essential nutritional and
safety standards. This method is crucial to maintaining the integrity of animal feed,
thus healthier livestock and more efficient animal husbandry practices.

References:
FAO (2001). FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED
NATIONS. ISBN 92-5-104613-1.
https://www.fao.org/4/y1453e/y1453e00.htm#Contents

FAO and IFIF (2010). Good practices for the feed industry – Implementing the Codex
Alimentarius Code of Practice on Good Animal Feeding. FAO Animal Production and
Health Manual No. 9. Rome.

Gizzi, G. and Givens, D.I. (n.d.). Variability in feed composition and its impact on
animal production. https://www.fao.org/4/y5159e/y5159e04.htm#TopOfPage

Hou, D., Yousaf, L., Xue, Y., Hu, J., Wu, J., Hu, X., Feng, N., Shen, Q. (2019). Mung
Bean (Vigna radiata L.): Bioactive Polyphenols, Polysaccharides, Peptides, and
Health Benefits. Nutrients;11(6):1238. Doi: 10.3390/nu11061238. PMID: 31159173;
PMCID: PMC6627095.

Jabalpur, A.H., CoVSc, DAN (n.d.) CLASSIFICATION OF FEEDSTUFFS.

https://www.ndvsu.org/images/StudyMaterials/Nutrition/Classification-of-
feedstuffs.pdf

Klein, H. and Marquard, R. (n.d.) Feed Microscopy.

https://www.erling-verlag.com/en/product/feed-microscopy/

Lebas F., Heuzé V., Tran G., (2015). Sorghum grain. Feedipedia, a programme by
INRAE, CIRAD, AFZ and FAO. https://www.feedipedia.org/node/224
Loosli, J.K. and Holden, P.J. (n.d.) feed. https://www.britannica.com/topic/feed-
agriculture

Tikkanen, A. (2024). Soybean. https://www.britannica.com/science/lecithin

Tran G., Heuzé V., Renaudeau D., Lessire M., Lebas F., 2015. Wheat grain.
Feedipedia, a programme by INRAE, CIRAD, AFZ and FAO.
https://feedipedia.org/node/223

Zoutman (n.d.). Animal feed salt: essential nutritional supplement for your livestock.
https://www.zoutman.com/en/academy/animal-feed-salt-essential-nutritional-
supplement-for-your-livestock