ARS | Publication request: APPLICATIONS OF HIGH-SPEED SORTING TECHNOLOGY TO THE GRAIN INDUSTRY

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: September 19, 2004
Publication Date: September 19, 2004
Citation: Dowell, F.E., Pearson, T.C. 2004. Applications of high-speed sorting technology to the grain industry. Meeting Abstract.

Technical Abstract: High speed sorters that can detect and remove defects in single kernels at speeds of about 80,000 kernels/s (300 bu/hr) are commonly used to remove undesirable product from commodities such as peanuts, tree nuts, and coffee beans. However, they have had limited use in the grain industry. We have been conducting research with Satake, Inc, with the objective of investigating grain related applications of their high-speed sorters that utilize visible and near-infrared sensors. Samples that range in size from about 100 g to 500 bu and that contain defects such as fungal damage, toxins, low or high protein, internal insects, and discolored wheat have been analyzed with this technology. Some of the results that will be reported in this poster include: removing kernels infected with Karnal bunt with ~100% accuracy; purifying white wheat breeder samples by removing red kernels with up to 100% accuracy; removing low or high protein corn from bulk samples where shifts in protein content of about 1% can be achieved with each pass through the sorter; removing toxins such as aflatoxin and fumonisin from corn with ~90% accuracy; and removing insect damaged kernels. This technology can be used to help breeders develop new varieties for specific markets, to remove toxins from grain, to presort grain before milling to optimize mill performance, and to rapidly screen samples for grading and marketing purposes.