ISO 6493-2000 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 6493:2000 — Animal feeding stuffs — Determination of starch content — Polarimetric method. This International Standard specifies a polarimetric analytical procedure for the determination of starch content in animal feeding stuffs.

Abstract

ISO 6493:2000 describes a laboratory method that determines starch in animal feeds by measuring the optical rotation (polarimetry) of a prepared test solution. The method covers sample preparation, hydrolysis/clarification steps required to produce a solution suitable for polarimetric measurement, calibration and instrument checks, calculation of starch content and requirements for expression and reporting of results.

General information

• Status: Published (International Standard; confirmed on 11 December 2021).
• Publication date: February 2000 (2000-02).
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 65.120 (Feed and forage; animal feeding stuffs).
• Edition / version: Edition 1 (2000).
• Number of pages: 10.

Scope

The standard applies to the determination of starch content in a wide range of animal feeding stuffs (for example cereals, compound feeds and many by‑products) using a polarimetric technique. It is intended for routine laboratory use in quality control, regulatory and research laboratories. The method assumes that interfering optically active substances are either not present at significant levels or have been removed/controlled during sample preparation; alternative methods should be used where interferences cannot be avoided.

Key topics and requirements

• Specified sample collection and representative subsampling procedures for feed materials.
• Reagents and solutions required for starch hydrolysis, clarification and polarimetric measurement.
• Detailed sample preparation and hydrolysis/clarification steps to produce a clear test solution.
• Polarimeter instrument requirements, calibration and verification procedures (including use of standards and blanks).
• Calculation procedures to convert measured optical rotation into starch content (including corrections and expression of results on an as‑is or dry‑matter basis).
• Requirements for repeatability, reporting format and precision statements.
• Instructions for handling known interferences and notes on method limitations.

Typical use and users

Used by feed analysis laboratories, feed manufacturers, quality assurance teams, research institutions and regulatory/control laboratories concerned with compositional analysis of animal feeds. Typical applications include routine quality control of raw materials and finished feeds, formulation verification and compositional studies in research.

Related standards

Standards commonly used alongside ISO 6493 include other animal feeding‐stuffs methods in the ISO 6400–6500 series (for example ISO 6492 — Determination of fat content; ISO 6496 — Determination of moisture and other volatile matter; ISO 6491 — Determination of phosphorus content; ISO 6490 — Determination of calcium content). National and international complementary methods for starch and carbohydrate analysis (e.g., enzymatic/HPLC or gravimetric methods) are also relevant when polarimetric results need confirmation.

Keywords

starch; animal feeding stuffs; feed analysis; polarimetric method; optical rotation; sample preparation; feed quality; ISO 6493

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 6493:2000 is an International Standard that specifies a polarimetric method for determining starch content in animal feeding stuffs.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers sample preparation, reagents, instrument requirements and calibration, the polarimetric measurement procedure, calculation of starch content and reporting requirements for animal feed matrices suitable for polarimetric analysis.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Feed testing laboratories, feed manufacturers, QA/QC personnel, regulatory agencies and researchers performing compositional analysis of animal feeds.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 6493:2000 was published in February 2000 and was formally reviewed and confirmed on 11 December 2021; it remained the current confirmed edition as of 2 March 2026.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes. ISO 6493 is part of a set of ISO methods for animal feeding stuffs and feed analysis (standards in the ISO 6400–6500 range) that address specific compositional determinations such as moisture, fat, minerals and other constituents.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Starch, polarimetry, optical rotation, animal feeding stuffs, feed analysis, sample preparation, feed quality.