Oil and Moisture in Seeds and Nuts
From Quality Control to Seed Breeding Programs
Since the financial value of the farmed seeds is critically dependent on the oil content, a rapid and reliable method for quantification is required. Such a method is provided with the minispec TD-NMR solutions, combining speed of analysis with outmost accuracy on the fundament of various recognized international standard methods.
the minispec TD-NMR product line-up provides the most comprehensive solution packages:
the minispec mq-one Seed Analyzer (the QC solution)
the minspec mq7.5 Large Seed Analyzer (the QC for sunflower seeds)
the minispec mq20 or mq40 (the Seed Breeding solutions)
The Method: As easy as winking
The quantification of the oil content in seeds, like sunflower kernels, soy-beans, rape or canola seeds benefits from an ease-of-control and an ease-of-preparation:
- preparation-free, grinding-free sampling
- direct transfer of the seeds to the sample tube
- weighing of the sample
- placing in the minispec, automatic start of the measurement
- prompt result display within seconds
- next sample, please!
Additional quantification of the moisture content comes for free. Within the same measurement process, the moisture content is determined simultaneously!
Official Methods: Oil and Moisture without Sample Preparation
- Typical Straight Calibration Line of the minispec NMR signal vs. the Oil Content
A number of official methods describe and specify the use of the minispec TD-NMR technology for the precise and reliable simultaneous determination of oil and moisture content:
- AOCS Official Method Ak 4-95
- ISO 10565
- ISO 10632 for residues
- USDA, GIPSA Approval, FGIS00-101
AOCS, 
American Oil Chemists' Society
ISO, International Organization for Standardization
USDA, United States Department of Agriculture