An attempt to correlate fat and protein content of biological samples withresidual carbon after microwave-assisted digestion

The residual carbon content of a variety of bovine-derived samples and fora ge was determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectromet ry with radial view configuration (ICP-OES) after microwave-assisted digest ion under high pressure in a closed vessel. The original carbon concentrati on in the samples was determined by elemental analysis. The highest amount of original carbon content (64%) was found in viscera. After digestion, up to 75% of it was destroyed. Viscera presented the highest ether extract and blood exhibited a high crude protein content of up to 99%. The efficiency in destroying the organic matter in biological materials seemed to be relat ed to their fat content and showed no significant difficulty for protein-ri ch samples. The correlation coefficient between the fat content of the samp les and the residual carbon after acid decomposition was 0.9173 indicating a fair fit. However, no correlation was observed between % RC and the prote in content.