Chemical Composition
The chemical composition (protein, oil and starch concentrations) of corn is measured using near-infrared (NIR) transmittance spectroscopy. The technology uses unique interactions of specific wavelengths of light with each sample. It is calibrated to traditional chemistry methods to predict the concentrations of oil, protein and starch in the sample. This procedure is nondestructive to the corn.
Chemical composition tests for protein, oil and starch concentrations were conducted using a 550- to 600-gram sample in a whole-kernel Foss Infratec 1241 NIR transmittance instrument. The instrument was calibrated to chemical tests, and the standard error of predictions for protein, oil and starch concentrations was about 0.27%, 0.25% and 0.66%, respectively. Results are reported on a dry basis percentage (percent of non-water material).