FGIS maintains a strong presence, internationally in the evaluation and quantification of grain inspection methods. To enhance the marketing and facilitation of grain into the future, we conduct internal research and participate in collaborative efforts with other governmental entities, laboratories, and private business. The research and analysis we conduct is in response to the prevailing trends and desires of the current market.
As agricultural crops evolve and varieties with enhanced traits are developed, reliable tests must be developed to quantify the quality traits important to the market. Rapid tests and test kits are evaluated that detect biotechnology derived grains and oil seeds, analyze protein, moisture, oil and mycotoxins. Being able to accurately predict the end-use quality of wheat has become a major objective in recent years. Milling, baking, and grain processors are looking to rapid testing methods to replace current chemical and rheological tests.
Objective grain quality assessments (both official and unofficial) depend on reliable, well-standardized measurement methods. Grain inspection methods can be classified as reference (direct) methods or secondary (indirect) methods. Reference methods are those that "define" the quantity or quality in question. Often, reference methods are traceable to more fundamental standards, such as mass, length, time, temperature, or electrical charge.
To provide the market with rapid, cost-effective quality assessments, FGIS develops "secondary" methods, based on national reference methods, for routine inspection use. These secondary methods make physical, chemical, electronic, and/or optical measurements related to the desired quality characteristics.
FGIS conducts research and development to develop, evaluate, and improve reference methods and secondary methods for grain quality analysis to better meet global grain inspection and grain marketing needs.
Related topics
- Reference Methods
- Wheat Protein
- Calibrations
- Approved Equipment
- Moisture Equipment
- Biotechnology
- Rapid Test Kit Evaluation (TKE)