Efficiency of the Photoluminescent Method for Monitoring the Homogeneity of Feed Mixtures in Animal Husbandry

Abstract

The spectral evaluation systems for controlling the feed mixtures homogeneity were analyzed. (Research purpose) To study the optical luminescent properties of the feed mixtures main components in the ultraviolet and visible range and develop a method for their photoluminescent quality control. (Materials and methods) Two groups of feed mixture components were studied: granular compound feed and corn silage. The spectral characteristics were measured by Fluorat-02-Panorama spectrofluorimeter. The synchronous scanning helped to identify the excitation spectra and, on their basis, the photoluminescence spectra were determined according to a previously tested technique. (Results and discussion) The components excitation spectra revealed the main maxima of 362 nanometers and 424 nanometers. All the photoluminescence characteristics proved to be single-modal, for each excitation wavelength, the measured curves are qualitatively similar, but differ quantitatively: for example, the difference in the compound feed and light silage flows is 2.4 times at a length of 232 nanometers, 2.8 times at 424 nanometers and 3.8 times at 362 nanometers. It is advisable to use 362-nanometer wavelength radiation to excite the experimental sample of the feed mixture, and to record photoluminescence within the range of 390-540 nanometers. The method of express quality control of mixing includes the following stages: initial calibration by the compound feed luminescence, sample preparation, mixture luminescence excitation, the luminescence flux registration, photo signal amplifiation and processing according to diagnostic algorithms, followed by either feed distribution or sequel mixing with repeated express control. (Conclusions) The proposed method for assessing the quality of mixing the feed mixture components can be implemented using a compact spectral device. It was found that the use of the proposed method in the technological process of preparing the feed mixture will reduce the energy costs.

Keywords

• cattle feeding
• feed mixtures homogeneity
• express control of the feed mixing quality
• excitation spectrum
• luminescence spectrum
• radiation flux