83 Preliminary results of NIR spectroscopy to determine starch and protein quality in small samples.

F. E. DOWELL (1), N. K. Rowley (2), F. Xie (2), M. Tilley (1), S. R. Bean (2), P. A. Seib (2), and G. L. Lookhart (1). (1) USDA, ARS, GMPRC, Manhattan, KS 66502; (2) Department of Grain Science and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506.

Most NIR instruments are designed to measure absorption or reflection characteristics of bulk samples. However, there are many instances when large amounts of material are not available, such as when analyzing breeder samples or other small-scale testing. In these instances, NIR analysis of a single kernel, or a portion of flour from a single kernel, may be desired. Procedures were developed utilizing fiber optics attached to a Perten Instrument DA7000 spectrometer (Springfield, Illinois) to collect absorbance spectra from these ultra-small samples. Results from testing small samples (<20 mg) to determine waxy character (related to the presence or absence of GBSS proteins), amount of gliadin, amount of glutenin, and other quality attributes will be presented. The procedure is rapid (<1 s), non-destructive, and requires little sample preparation.