Acid Detergent Fibre (ADF)

Acid Detergent Fibre (ADF) analysis measures the portion of plant fibre that is less digestible and more resistant to breakdown. It is a key parameter used to evaluate feed quality and energy availability.
ADF consists mainly of cellulose and lignin, which remain after hemicellulose is removed during the acid detergent extraction process. These components form the more rigid and less digestible part of the plant cell wall.

ADF is inversely related to digestibility. Higher ADF values generally indicate lower digestibility and reduced energy availability in feed ingredients.
As fibre becomes more lignified, it becomes harder for animals to break down and utilise, which directly impacts nutritional value.

ADF is widely used to assess forage quality, compare raw materials, and estimate the energy content of feed. It is particularly useful when evaluating roughages such as hay and silage.