Rapid Allergen Test Wins Lower Austrian Innovation Prize

A quantum leap in the analysis of allergens in foods: Lower Austrian biotech company Romer Labs® has won the “Karl Ritter von Ghega Innovation Prize” with its “AgraStrip® Allergen” product line.

The award was presented at the Congress Casino Baden by Provincial Council Member Dr. Petra Bohuslav and Chamber of Commerce Vice-president Dr. Christian Moser on 11th October 2011.

AgraStrip® Allergen strip tests work in the same way as conventional pregnancy tests and give the user the chance to analysis the presence of the 14 most important allergens in foods within a matter of minutes.

“This new technology represents a quantum leap in quality control, especially for industry, as it allows for the efficient and cost-effective screening of products”, said Dr. Eva Wanzenböck, the Managing Director of Romer Labs® in Tulln.

“The controlling of allergens is gaining ever more importance in new food labelling systems and Romer Labs has found an innovative solution for companies with this new product line.”

About 25% of people believe they suffer from food allergies, but only 3% have been diagnosed successfully.

The level is somewhat higher in children, at 5-8%.

The figures show that there is need for action both at food producers, as well as the authorities.

Numerous research groups are working in this field, including Romer Labs®’ cooperation partners at the IFA Tulln, the Christian Doppler Laboratory for Food Allergens (Christian-Doppler-Labor für Lebensmittelallergene).

For more information, call 800-769-1380.

See Related Websites/Articles:

• Romer Labs, Inc.

Allergen Test Kits

How to Guide – ‘SieveMatic’ Sieve Shaker

Sample Preparation

STEP 1
Prepare a 500ml sample of grain, ensuring the grain you are measuring is representative for the bin/paddock/lot of grain that you are analysing.

To obtain a representative sample:  Grain samples are typically drawn from a truck or rail carriage or storage shed/bunker using a probe system. The probe is usually in the form of a truck spear or a vacuum sampling system and determined according to the type of grain storage. For example, given a 20-30MT truck load of grain, a minimum of 5 probes are required with a total minimum weight of 5 litres. Each sample must be drawn from a different section of the truck load – i.e. to gain a representative sample of the entire load (each probe should be placed randomly and with at least one probe taken from the front, middle and rear of the truck).
 
Sub samples are then taken using a “Divider”, or hand-mixed to gain a truly representative sample of the load. It is important to remember that all representative samples be retained as a future reference should a dispute arise.
 
STEP 2
Pour the grain sample into the correct sieve (for example -: a 2.0mm slotted / 300mm diameter wheat sieve for measuring wheat) which is fitted to the Shake-A-Matic. The sample should be poured into the sieve with no fuss. The grain is not to be distributed around the entire sieve, nor spread out by hand.

STEP 3
Commence measurement procedure – refer to the “SieveMatic – Quick Start” guide for more detail.

Graintec Scientific,
 

Falling Number, the accredited and approved system, for testing weather damage in grains.

Falling Number is a method of testing weather damage in wheat, and barley (for malting effects).

What does it indicate?
Low falling numbers indicate substantial weather damage which reduces milling quality. It also indicates that the grain has sprouted.  During sprouting, the starch in the grain is broken down into sugars to feed the growth of the plant. Of interest to the stock feed industry, the sugar is converted to energy by animals more easily than starch – hence why grains with a very low falling number are often classified as “feed”.

When it rains just before harvest, grain may start to germinate (or sprout) in the head. The germination causes an increase in a-amylase (alpha-amylase), an enzyme that breaks down starch, and there are also increases in enzymes that break down proteins. Of these, the starch degrading enzyme, a-amylase has a greater effect on reducing the quality of flour, and of products made from the flour. The longer the grain sprouts, the greater the amount of a-amylase formed. If badly sprouted grain is milled, the flour can cause product problems such as sticky, doughy bread which won’t slice in mechanical slicers, or noodles which are too stretchy, and slip from the wooden rods where they are draped to dry.
 
To some extent, estimating the degree of germination by eye gives an idea of how much a-amylase is present , but this is an imprecise way of measuring it ,so a test called the “Falling number” method is used to measure the alpha amylase accurately.
 
In the falling number method, an instrument, which measures the time taken for a plunger to fall to the bottom of a precision bore glass tube filled with a heated paste of wheatmeal and water, is used. The time in seconds for this to happen is known as the falling number, and it is 62 seconds for badly sprouted wheat. It takes 62 seconds to mix the wheat meal and water, but then the plunger falls immediately to the bottom because the mixture is so thin. High quality wheat gives a thicker paste, and the test then takes between 300-600 seconds.  The greater the sprout damage, the less viscous (or sticky) the starch paste, and so the lower the falling number.  Wheats with falling numbers greater than 300 are quite suitable for bread-making – this is one of the specifications for Australian Prime Hard wheat. For other milling grades, falling numbers greater than 250 are acceptable.

What to consider when purchasing a Falling Number instrument:

The Perten Falling Number System is the only system certified for use by Grain Trade Australia, AACC (American Association of Cereal Chemists), ICC (International Association of Cereal Chemistry) and European Cereal Chemists. The Perten system is also ISO accredited (International Organisation for Standardisation).

Consider your legal and contractual requirements when purchasing a falling number system.

Water Activity and Manufactured or Cured Meat Products

Microbes from time to time receive a negative reputation. Decent organisms end up getting included together with troublesome kinds including botulism and also salmonella. The beautiful tangy essence associated with a fine salami is a product of fermentation bacteria. Microbial spread is without question the reason why water activity started to be applied in the foodstuff sector. Previous to the uncovering that water activity manages microbe development, foodstuff makers couldn't know the reason certain products went moldy, while others just didn't. Some people believed this situation had something connected with water content, although everyone understands that high-moisture salt pork isn't going to mold, even though lower moisture nuts still do.
Processed Meat Products , Much Older Than aw
Salted pork is most likely the very first water activity research. Famished savages who just dreamed about traveling here and there suffered a challenge: even cooked animal products spoiled fairly quickly, restraining traveling possibilities and overall contentment. Scrubbing sea salt in the animal meat solved the problem, and very quickly these guys started out together with portable protein pieces with them. Even though they didn't comprehend it back then, the polar salt ions pulled the water activity so low that nothing at all could actually flourish in the pork pieces.
Modern-day Meat Products
Response similar to this show that creating fantastic food items is certainly a joggling act – when your water activity is just too high, your item will in the end yield to the harmful bacteria, when it is actually too low, the beneficial kinds won't accomplish their particular wonder.
Our current manufacturer of jerky and other cured meat products is a lot more innovative. Manufacturers have to demonstrate to the FDA standards their shelf-stable meat treatment was dehydrated adequately so that its water activity is not going to permit harmful bacteria to flourish. This approach exposes more problems: over-drying meat products could wipe out profits and also influence product feel. With respect to something traded by weight, simply over drying merely 0.2% will add many thousands in diminished income eventually. Water activity assists you to properly handle the moisture content, making the Federal Drug Administration, customers, and also your bank account all satisfied.
HACCP Generated Easy
A number of shelf-stable meat companies continue to quantify moisture content for the reason that it is exactly what they have nearly always done. The technique is now more uncommon as the awareness propagates that water activity is the only moisture-related way of measuring which can be used as a Critical Control Point in a HACCP program. By using a water activity meter, there isn't any sample preparation, drying systems, weighing pans, balance calibrations, or learning – just simply slice off a little bit of your item, stick it in the sample cup, and start your reading.

For more information on Water Activity see Graintec Scientific.

GRAINTEC – VAC: Grain Vacuum Sampling System

Grain Sampling Made Easy

The Graintec – VAC sampling system will enable you to sample a wide range of grains at the flick of a switch. This type of Vacuum Sampling System has been recommended by the Australian Government National Measurement Institute in their specifications, “Protein Measuring Instruments for Grain”. Research carried out in Australia indicates that this type of vacuum sampling has better repeatability than manual sampling techniques. The Graintec – VAC consists of an industrial grade, wet and dry vacuum motor/system, a powder coated steel collection chamber with filter, and brackets for wall mounting. The sample probe is made of stainless steel tubing 32mm ID, 2 meters in length and connected to the sample chamber by 8 meters of flexible plastic vacuum hose. The sample is drawn up the 2 meter probe to pass along a flexible hose and to be deposited in the collection chamber. After sampling the flap door can be opened to release the sample into a bucket for mixing and sub-sampling.

Vacuum suction lifts the sample through the probe; this enables the probe to move down into the bulk load without thrusting. The result is an even penetration giving a representative core sample from the load. It has been shown that a quantitative recovery of a live insect infestation is achievable. The representative sample is delivered to the sample chamber located inside the Grain Testing Shed. This enables sample recovery into a bucket for further mixing, sub-sampling and subsequent analysis for protein, moisture, test weight, screenings etc. The sample chamber includes an easily cleaned filter to protect the suction motor. This is the same design as used by many of the bulk handling authorities, grain traders and end users of grain. Sampling is achieved faster, easier and more representative with less effort. The Graintec – VAC is ideal for sampling a large range of grains including Wheat and Barley through to large grains like Corn and Lupins.          

Sampling a Load

All samples shall be drawn along the length of the load; front, middle and back.  Ensure that the tarps on the truck or trailer are pulled back lengthways across at least half the load. The vacuum probe is to be used at all times for the sampling of all grain types for intake classification or out load sampling.  The vacuum probe consists of a collection chamber, stainless steel probe, elbow, vacuum cleaner and a 8 meter length of flexible hose. Position the collection chamber centrally on the stand where it allows a bucket to be placed under it for sample collection. Then connect the vacuum cleaner hose to the large pipe on the collection chamber and the flexible hose to the smaller pipe. The 8 meters of hose should allow the spear to be used from any position on the stand. Attach the elbow to the steel probe with the air hole facing up. This is then connected to the other end of the flexible hose. Check that the Vac sampling system is free from any residual samples or other contaminants, and then switch on the vacuum cleaner. Place your hand over the air hole. Insert the probe vertically into the grain in one smooth motion until it touches the bottom of the truck. Immediately remove your hand from the air hole to stop excess small material or screenings being drawn into the sample. Take the required number of probes from each bin, truck or trailer as specified in the table below. Switch off the vacuum cleaner and collect the sample from the collection chamber for classification. For more information the following downloads are available.

• Vacuum Sampler – Brochure (270.12 KB)
• Vacuum Sampler – How to Guide (341.92 KB)
• Vacuum Sampler – Frequently Asked Questions (304.79 KB)

Wheat Quality, the end result depends on the choice of grain

What is Wheat Quality?
Wheat quality can mean different things to different people, but it makes most sense to think about it as the quality of wheat required to produce high quality end products.
Growers look for high yields of attractive looking, high protein, well-filled grains for the best price. Millers want wheat that yields the maximum amount of white flour per tonne of grain. Millers also have to meet the flour specifications demanded by their customers, such as the required protein content, dough strength, water absorption, mixing properties and falling number. Cereal Processors require different properties depending on the product they are manufacturing (cakes, bread, noodles, pasta etc.).
Because the end-use determines the quality required, wheat totally unsuitable for one application may have excellent quality for another. For example, wheat with excellent bread making quality would be regarded as having extremely poor cake-making potential.
Maintaining Grain Quality in On-farm Grain Storage
The number of on-farm storages has grown during recent years as growers seek more flexibility at harvest, more choice as to when and how they sell their grain, and reduced handling and freight costs. Maintaining the quality of stored grain involves 2 main issues: moisture control and insect control.
The following points should be considered: Grain handling equipment such as trucks, headers, augers, combines and silos must be cleaned before/after use. Sealed silos not only keep in the gas during fumigation but they also keep out the insects. It is essential to fumigate the silo every time grain is added. Proper fumigation is impossible in unsealed silos. Painting the silo white after installation is a useful management tool as white silos can be 40C cooler than a galvanized unit.
The advantages of cooler grain temperatures are as follows. Seed germination percentage is maintained longer, moisture migration is reduced, insect breeding is reduced, and less gas is lost thorough the pressure relief valve of sealed silos.
Aeration
Aeration silos are fitted with fans that pass controlled amounts of air through the grain. Advantages of this include, lower temperatures allow moist grain to be stored safely for longer periods, even temperature of the grain mass in the silo prevents moisture migration, hot spots are prevented from developing, mould growth is slowed, and insect development is reduced dramatically. Cool stored seed retains its viability and vigour for a longer period.
Did you Know?
Grain Sampling is the most significant source of error in grain testing. Find out more about the Graintec grain vacuum sampling system.

Near Infrared Transmission (NIRT) Applications for On Farm Testing of Protein and Moisture in Grains

Near Infrared spectroscopy has been a useful tool in agricultural laboratories for about 4 decades.  This technology non-chemically determines the composition of many of our agricultural products.  Typical applications include protein and moisture in grains, and protein, moisture and oils in oilseeds.

 

There are an increasing number of farmers, farmer groups and small agricultural businesses considering the viability of owning their own NIR instrument.  This paper discusses some advantages and disadvantages of owning and running an NIR instrument on the farm or in small business.

 

Advantages

 

NIR instruments can be a useful decision making tool on the farm. Also some growers are already using them successfully in the grain marketing area.  Ready access to an NIR instrument with calibrations for protein and moisture for various grains can assist with a number of decisions at harvest that are somewhat dependent on the quality of the grain.  Does the grain meet the market standards?  Which paddocks should be harvested first?  Should the grain be sold or stored?

 

Many growers use commercial testing facilities to obtain this crop management and grain marketing information but feel restricted by the time taken for these analyses to occur.  Some growers see an NIR instrument on the farm as a way of reducing their need to send samples off farm for testing, thus enabling them to make quicker decisions.

 

As an analytical tool, the NIR instruments have many advantages over traditional laboratory analysis particularly when testing large sample numbers.  These advantages include:

§  speed and versatility

§  no chemicals required

§  easy to operate and cheap to run

§  accuracy close to reference laboratory method

 

Disadvantages

 

NIR analysis is an indirect technique that requires careful calibration for each component to be measured.  For example, six calibrations are required to measure protein and moisture of wheat, barley and oats.  Although the instrument is simple to operate once calibrated, calibration development can involve complex, time consuming and costly laboratory analyses.

 

Each calibration needs checking by comparing the results from laboratory analysis to those obtained by the instrument.  If these differences are larger than expected and the NIR is giving inaccurate readings, the calibrations may need adjusting.

 

Purchasing an NIR instrument:  Things to think about:

 

1.   NIR instruments for use in farming systems are generally purchased with calibrations installed. The total cost for the instrument and calibrations will depend on the number of calibrations required.

2.   As NIR measurements are an indirect measuring technique, monitoring each calibration for accuracy using check samples is vital.  If the calibrations are not monitored regularly there is no way of knowing whether the readings are correct.

3.   The checking procedure will involve an annual cost.  This operating cost should be allowed for in the annual budget.

4.   Calibration accuracy varies depending on the component being measured, and the type of NIR instrument used.

5.   Some calibrations used in agricultural laboratories are developed using NIR instrumentation, which is more advanced and far more expensive than the equipment being targeted to the farmer market.  Therefore, the instrument you buy may not be capable of every application that you have heard about.  Basic NIR instruments are most useful for protein and moisture testing of most grains.

6.   For accurate measurements, this equipment should be used in a controlled environment free from large temperature fluctuations and dust.  The bench in the machinery shed is not the ideal location. Modern instruments can be operated in a vehicle.

 

NIR instruments can be an extremely useful long-term investment for your farm or business.  However, these instruments are not cheap so research your potential purchase well.  Know what you want it for and be sure you know exactly what you are getting.  Be prepared to spend some money on maintenance each year and seek advice if you are unsure.

 

Graintec Pty Ltd in Toowoomba has been involved with NIR instruments for over 20 years.  They now offer a portable; battery operated whole grain analyser for testing protein and moisture in grains.  This analyser is easy to use, completely portable, very reliable, and it displays the result in about 3 minutes.  The Sofia comes calibrated for wheat and barley and calibrations are aligned to the Foss Infratec. Remember, when testing grain, you only test a sample and therefore it is very important that the sample you test does represent the lot from which it is taken.

 

Graintec Pty Ltd also supplies grain and hay moisture meters, thermometers, pH meters, sieves, sampling spears, grain shakers etc.

 

For any advice on protein/moisture testing or sampling, please feel free to call.  Our phone number is (07) 4638 7677 or fax (07) 4638 1761.

The Graintec HE 50 Moisture Meter is Accurate and Easy To Use

The Graintec HE 50 moisture meter, manufactured in Germany using calibrations derived in Australia, is now available.  Tests have shown the meter to be suitable for field use for measuring moisture in grains.

 

The GRAINTEC HE-50 moisture meter uses the latest microprocessor technology and was developed to replace the old and outdated valve operated MARCONI moisture meter.  The Marconi was last manufactured in the early 80's, but many of the meters still in use are over 40 years old.  A lack of spare parts has made making repairs difficult or impossible.

 

The HE-50 uses the same measuring principle as the Marconi, but it has a number of advantages due to the modern design.  The meter is lightweight and compact being about a third the size and weight of the old Marconi's, and it comes in an insulated carrying case.  No separate grinder is required.  The sample is ground in the measuring cell by screwing down the top of the cell.  The measurement is then made by pressing a button and takes about 10 seconds.  The digital readout reduces mistakes as it is large and clear, and there is no need to change slides, twiddle knobs or adjust for temperature, as the mini-computer within the meter does all of this automatically.

 

"Marconi's have been an excellent moisture meter for the grain industry for a long time, but their day is nearly over.  This new meter is much easier to use – All you have to do is press a button and it'll tell you 'WHEAT 12.2%'.  It can do 14 different commodities at the flick of a switch.  We have sold over 2000 of the Graintec HE 50 grain moisture meters in Australia to Millers, Bulk Handling Authorities, the AWB, Farmers, Grain Traders and Feedlotters".

 

For more information contact Lucas at Graintec Pty Ltd: Phone  07 4638 7677 or fax 07 4638 1761.

Checking out Your Grain Moisture decreases the chances of rejection At Receival Time

An accurate grain moisture meter is essential to determine moisture levels and therefore avoid rejection of the shipment at receival locations. It is necessary to bear in mind both repeatability as well as accuracy when buying any grain moisture meter,especially if calibrating one to your receival standard, because this result needs to be able to be repeated on-farm.Employing the averaged readings of five or maybe more samples will furnish much better accuracy when compared to counting on a single moisture reading.

Conductivity meters may perhaps be more involved to utilize however these models often give you more repeatable answers.Capacitance meters are easy to use and might offer accurate results but have lessened repeatability.Green seeds inside the moisture content samples will give you a higher reading on resistance moisture meters compared to capacitance models.The capability to calibrate meters is a must to correspond to receival specifications.

Observe the tips below for correct results.Average the answers of 5 or more samples, obtained from varied regions of the grain mass, getting a fresh sample every time.Make sure you clean all items carefully, both in between samples and also after use.Ensure that moisture meters are totally free from condensation, most definitely applicable on cool mornings. Always use moisture meters inside the manufacturers' recommended temperature range.When keeping a sample meant for later testing, use a zip-lock bag or maybe a sealed jar to prevent moisture losses or pick up.

Using CONDUCTANCE as a check of grain moisture

Conductance,or resistance,is really a measure of how easily electrical current can run through a conductor,or in this case a grain sample.A moist grain sample is a superior conductor of electricity as compared to less damp grain. Conductance moisture meters transfer a current between two electrodes, in the squeezed grain sample, that's commonly crushed to improve accuracy. If ever the grain has undergone a rapid moisture modification like fast drying, in the grain dryer, it could be drier on the surface of the seed compared to the centre. Milling the test sample therefore gets better accuracy and reliability through exposing the heart of the seed in the small sample tested.

CAPACITANCE Meters

Capacitance meters operate by gauging how much electrical current can be stored throughout a sample of grain and also the air all around the sample.The more wet this grain sample, the greater the current it will hold.

Grain moisture measurement

Doing Your Protein Measurement On-Farm Can Save You Money

Grain farmers are progressively turning their attention to the benefits of functioning an on-farm grain protein analyser in order to increase their revenue.

Major grain handlers for a long time have operated a near-infrared (NIR) grain analyser which rapidly determines protein, moisture as well as oil percentage within a grain sample. Recently, there has been a huge increase in the purchase of on-farm portable grain anaylsers.

The deregulation of the grains industry has lead to plenty of selling opportunities for growers. It is for that reason essential that growers are conscious of the quality of their grain. “Growers are now including the purchase of a protein measuring instrument when they are setting up on-farm grain storage”, says Lucas Anstiss of Graintec Scientific. “It is all very well to have the best storage system in the world or the biggest header, however if you don’t know the quality of your grain, you are at risk of not obtaining a higher grade at receival. In dollar terms, without a protein meter, you could be losing up to $80 a tonne!”.

Over the years, protein measuring NIR instruments have become more cost-effective and quicker to use. There is now a solid case for smaller grain growers to get on-board. “We have seen a significant rise in the purchase of protein measuring instruments from growers who produce around the 3,000-5,000MT range”, advised Lucas.

There are many benefits for a grower in using a protein meter. Some of the advantages include;

• The grower can merge grain in order to gain a better classified grain category – i.e. AUH to APH.
• Save money by cutting down travel time and rejection at the silo.
• Know what the average protein is of each paddock or silo.
• Contemplate sharing the cost of an instrument with your neighbour.

By recognising some of the previously mentioned listed benefits, the grower is able to recover the cost of buying a protein meter in as little as one harvest season.

Craig Moore – Graintec Scientific