A A C C   2 0 0 0   A n n u a l   M e e t i n g

Delta dichroic ratio data are presented from application of the automated custom built gauge to gluten films from a group of experimental (and released) hard winter wheat varieties. The procedure takes place using a dedicated near-IR instrument that compares dichroic ratios of select absorption bands of the polyamide gluten before and after stretching to a predetermined elongation. Automated elongation of the mounted specimen and rotation of the specimen in the polarized beam of an acousto-optic tunable filter random wavelength access spectrometer minimized operator effect on the results. The gluten film is cast from a solution obtained by a 3 step process starting with flour of individual wheat varieties. Unstretched film is placed on the jaws of the sample holder, a microprocessor controlled stepping motor provides programmable metered elongation and the specimen rotation (in the polarized near-IR beam) is pneumatically activated. The dedicated spectrometer is intended for routine use to support the wheat breeding program of the Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station. The same computer that controls the gluten film stretching and sample rotation also performs electronically switched random wavelength access by programmed input to an accousto-optic tunable filter. Electronic wavelength switching also allows the versatility of scanning the entire spectrum.