Use of fluorometry to differentiate among clipped species in the Genera, <i>Astragalus, Oxytropis </i>and <i>Pleuraphis</i>

TitleUse of fluorometry to differentiate among clipped species in the Genera, Astragalus, Oxytropis and Pleuraphis
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2006
AuthorsAnderson D.M., Rayson G.D., Obeidat S., Ralphs M., Estell RE, Fredrickson E.L., Parker E., Gray P.
JournalRangeland Ecology and Management
Volume59
Pagination557-563
Date PublishedSeptember 2006
ARIS Log Number188802
Keywordsastragalus, botanical composition, fluorescence spectroscopy, fluorometry, genera, oxytropis, pleuraphis, poisonous plants, Principal Component Analysis (PCA)
AbstractA rapid and reproducible method to determine botanical composition of forage is an ecological and economic goal for range animal ecologists. Multidimensional fluorometry previously demonstrated the possibility of a unique optical approach for accurately determining species composition of pre- and post-digested plant materials. Fluorometry may be used to detect toxic plants in standing crop as well as diets by using electronic transitions in chemical structures at wavelengths between 370 and 580 nm. Grass hay (genus Pleuraphis) and six clipped forbs (four species of Astragalus and two species of Oxytropis) were examined. The resulting spectral signatures were evaluated for differences in the blue and green regions of the visible spectrum using Principle Component Analysis (PCA). This represents the first published data using chemometrics to differentiate among fluorophores from these plant extracts. It was possible to distinguish between the grass and forbs and among forbs. Further research will be required to evaluate these same plant species in mixed diets and fecal samples. http://www.srmjournals.org/archive/1551-5028/59/5/pdf/i1551-5028-59-5-557.pdf
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