ACOUSTIC, SINGLE-KERNEL WHEAT HARDNESS

An acoustical, single-kernel wheat hardness instrument was developed t o assist the Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) in objective meas urement and classification of wheat, particularly mixtures. The instru ment measures the hardness of each wheat kernel in a sample and provid es hardness distribution information in addition to an average hardnes s score. The instrument analyzes the level of sound above 15 kHz produ ced as a kernel of wheat is ground to measure hardness. The acoustical , single-kernel scores correlate highly with NIR hardness, the AACC st andard (r = 0.93). The acoustical, single-kernel hardness instrument w ould improve the ability of FGIS to classify mixed wheat samples and w ould improve marketability, particularly in international trade. This method also provides information of benefit to millers, bakers, cereal scientists, and wheat breeders.