The effectiveness of the external marker yttrium oxide (Y 2O 3) and sampling period for determining the apparent digestibility (AD) of minerals and trace elements within Atlantic salmon feeds were compared. Yttrium oxide was compared at inclusions of 0.01, 0.1, 1 and 10 g kg -1 wet weight of the feeds. Samples were analysed for a range of mineral and trace elements via inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy after wet decomposition with concentrated nitric acid. Feed marked with 1 g kg -1 provided the greatest recovery, and provided analytical values within an optimal range, and therefore, the effect of faecal sampling period on AD of mineral and trace element was then compared using the feed marked with 1 g kg -1 Y 2O 3. Faeces were collected over three different time periods within a 24 h period: 4 x 6 h, 2 x 12 h and 1 x 24 h. Magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, iron and chromium displayed significant differences in AD relating to sampling period. An inclusion level of 1 g kg -1 Y 2O 3 and faecal sampling over at least an 18 h period after feeding proved to be the most effective method of determining AD of mineral and trace element in Atlantic salmon feed. © 2005 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Research Division:	Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
Research Group:	Fisheries Sciences
Research Field:	Aquaculture
Objective Division:	Animal Production and Animal Primary Products
Objective Group:	Fisheries - Aquaculture
Objective Field:	Fisheries - Aquaculture not elsewhere classified
Author:	Ward, DA (Mr Donald Ward)
Author:	Carter, CG (Professor Chris Carter)
Author:	Townsend, AT (Associate Professor Ashley Townsend)
ID Code:	35962
Year Published:	2005
Web of Science® Times Cited:	17
Deposited By:	TAFI - Aquaculture
Deposited On:	2005-08-01
Last Modified:	2006-04-01
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