OPTOELECTRONIC EXPRESS QUALITY CONTROL OF GRAIN

The feasibility and benefits of using optoelectronic colorimeters to determine the quality of grain are analyzed. A comparative characteristic of devices for determining color, in particular, grain. The most economical and easy to use type of colorimeter and a method for determining the color characteristics of the grain are proposed. Of the 20 species of wheat known in our time, the largest area and maximum commodity grain production in our country belongs, just as in other countries, of soft and durum wheat. Soft wheat is used mainly for the production of flour, sent to the bakery, confectionery, partly in the pasta groats industry. Durum wheat is a necessary raw material for pasta production. However, the main factor affecting the quality of grain of soft and durum wheat is the variety. All varieties of soft wheat are divided into strong, medium strength (valuable) and weak. Color and appearance are determined by examining the sample in order to establish the type (culture) of the grain, its type accessory, and in part to identify its condition. The grain subjected to the dimple, moisturizing, usually opaque, whitish, and the grain of membranous cultures - darkened. Spoiled grain is always obviously darkened, heterogeneous, sometimes with mold stains on the surface. The most economical and easy to use type of colorimeter and a method for determining the color characteristics of the grain are proposed. The digital colorimeter developed by the authors allows express quality control of grain with sufficiently high metrological indices and does not require highly skilled service personnel.