Wheat and Flour Testing Methods - WHEATFLOURBOOK.ORG

Protein can be specified by the buyer in the following ways:
1. Ordinary protein: any protein level can be loaded,
2. Average protein: a weighted or mathematical average of
the sublots with no limit on sublot variability,
3. Minimum or maximum protein with a weighted or
math average of sublots where Cu-Sum (see Page 19)
applies with limits on sublot variability, or
4. Modified minimum or maximum protein — sublots
are weighted or mathematically averaged with a
reduced Cu-Sum breakpoint. For example, a request for
Northern Spring wheat, minimum 14.0 percent protein,
with no sublot below 13.8 percent; or Soft White wheat,
maximum 9.0 percent protein, with no sublot above
9.2 percent.
The grade and protein are issued on the same certificate. For
exammple, if a maximum 10.0 percent protein is specified,
the lot average cannot exceed 10.0 percent, no sublot can be
higher than 10.5 percent, and all sublots must be within 1.0
percent of each other.
Falling Number (Hagberg)
Falling number analysis is an indicator of kernel germination
(sprouting) and the resulting increases in alpha amylase
activity. Falling number results of 300 seconds or higher
usually indicate that minimal amylase activity due to sprout
damage is present. FGIS performs falling number tests as
an optional service under the Agricultural Marketing Act
(AMA) and reports results on the Commodity Inspection
Certificate. Upon request, FGIS determines the FN in wheat
meal at the FGIS Technical Services Division Laboratory in
Kansas City, Missouri, and certain FGIS field offices and
state agencies.
Falling number results are reported on a 14 percent moisture
basis unless the buyer specifies another moisture basis.
Cu-Sum averaging is not available for falling number tests
because falling numbers are not additive. Buyers can specify
falling number tests in the following ways:
1. Cargo lot analysis where a single analysis is performed
for the entire cargo,
2. “Liquefaction average” of sublots, or
3. Sublot minimum analysis where a limit is placed on each
sublot.
Falling Number Instrument
Single Kernel Characterization
Studies have been conducted under experimental milling
conditions which show that single kernel characterization
information can be used with other data such as test weight
to provide an accurate prediction of the milling performance
of a wheat sample. Such information may be useful to
identify wheat for purchase that will perform better under
processing conditions.
Specifically, the Single Kernel Characterization System
(SKCS) analyzes exactly 300 wheat kernels from a 15 to 20gram
portion that is free from dockage, shrunken and broken
kernels, and foreign material. Individual kernel size, weight,
moisture, and crushing profile (hardness) are measured and
displayed on a histogram. It also reports the range, average,
and standard deviation for each of the four factors.
FGIS performs hardness testing as an optional service under
the AMA and is reported on the Commodity Inspection
Certificate.
Wheat and Flour Testing Methods: A Guide to Understanding Wheat and Flour Quality: Version 2
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