Towards developing an appropriate methodology and best procedure regarding determination of metabolisable energy content of feedstuffs and for testing effect of enzymes

SRUC, Scotland’s Rural College, delivers comprehensive skills, education and business support for Scotland’s land-based industry founded on world class, sector leading research, education and consultancy. Our 1500 staff are located on 6 campuses and around 40 business units across Scotland and the North of England.

This 3 year studentship is funded by Danisco Animal Nutrition, which is part of Dupont Industrial Biosciences.

The progression of energy content from gross energy of a feedstuff or feed to metabolisable energy is well described. Metabolisable energy is the quantity of energy in the feedstuff that is potentially available to the animal to meets its energy needs for maintenance and production. The metabolisable energy content of a raw material can be determined in at least three ways. One way is by direct delivery of the test ingredient to the crop of the bird and determine the metabolisable energy. However, many ingredients do not lend themselves to sole feeding and their metabolisable energy content can only be determined using the difference method. The difference method can utilize a single-level substitution, regression or simultaneous equation method which is now being proposed.

Therefore a series of experiments are planned to answer questions related to the determination of metabolisable energy in ingredients and diets for poultry and the use of exogenous enzymes.

The student will be registered for a PhD at the University of Glasgow. Applicants should have a minimum of an upper second class hounours degree or equivalent in Agriculture (Animal Sciences) or related biological sciences. An MSc degree in Agriculture (Animal Sciences or related biological sciences) with lower second class UK degree at BSc level is acceptable. The student is expected to have a good grasp of biochemistry, biology and microbiology as well as research experience in a laboratory and animal facilities settings. Good working knowledge of statistics and statistical analysis software (SAS or Genstat) is required.