ISO/TC 34/SC 4 - Cereals and pulses

This document specifies a method for the determination of cadmium (Cd) in cereals. It is applicable to rice, brown rice, wheat and maize by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) after extraction with diluted nitric acid (HNO3). The limit of quantification is 0,002 mg/kg; it is approximate and dependent on the sample matrix as well as on the instrument conditions.

This document presents the description and the results of the three studies conducted by United Kingdom, France and Germany related to grain sampling in order to define a harmonized sampling protocol for official controls. These results had been used to draft ISO 24333.

This document establishes the minimum specifications for rice (Oryza sativa L.) that is subject to international trade. It is applicable to husked rice and milled rice (aromatic and not aromatic), parboiled or not, intended for direct human consumption. It does not apply to other products derived from rice nor to waxy rice (glutinous rice).

This document specifies two methods: - a reference method for the determination of the moisture content of maize grains and ground whole maize, groats, grits and maize flour, see Clause 4; - a routine method for the evaluation of the moisture content of maize in whole grains, see Clause 5. The latter is not suitable for use for experts' reports, or for calibration or checking of humidity meters, because of its significant bias to the reference method (see Table B.3).

This document establishes minimum specifications for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grains intended for human consumption and which are the subject of international trade. It is also applicable to local wheat trade. NOTE Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is also called "common wheat" in some regions.

This document specifies a reference method for the determination of the amylose content of milled rice, non-parboiled. The method is applicable to rice with an amylose mass fraction higher than 5 %. This document can also be used for husked rice, maize, millet and other cereals if the extension of this scope has been validated by the user. NOTE Amylose values determined with this document can be compared with PDO and PGI legislation.

This document specifies two simplified routine methods for the determination of the amylose mass fraction of milled rice, non-parboiled. The main difference between the two methods is the dispersion procedure: method A specifies hot dispersion, and method B specifies cold dispersion. Both methods are applicable to rice with an amylose mass fraction higher than 5 %. NOTE These methods describe simplified procedures for the preparation of samples, which are frequently used in routine laboratories. The methods use the same reagents as the reference method (see ISO 6647-1), but omit the defatting step. Rice samples where the amylose mass fraction has been determined by the reference method are used as standards.

This document specifies a method for determining the content of impurities of animal origin in wheat flours, with or without additives and having an ash yield not exceeding a mass fraction of 0,75 %, and in durum wheat semolinas. This method permits the separation and quantification of contamination of animal origin, such as insects at all stages of their development and their fragments, rodent hairs and their fragments, and mites.

This document specifies a method for the determination of colour in durum wheat semolina and wheat flour by diffuse reflectance colorimetry. It is applicable to industrial semolina and flour. The method can be applicable to flour obtained from experimental mill.

This document specifies a method for the determination of the biometric characteristics of husked or milled rice kernels.

This document specifies a method for the determination of the fat acidity of milled cereal products. It is applicable to flours and semolinas obtained from wheat and durum wheat, and to pasta. NOTE This document appears to be applicable also to grains, flours and semolinas obtained from maize, and rye flour and oat flakes, but a further interlaboratory test is necessary before confirming this extension of the field of application.

This document specifies a routine method for the determination of bulk density, called "mass per hectolitre", of cereals as grain using manual or automatic, mechanical, electric or electronic mass per hectolitre measuring instruments. NOTE Further details of the measuring instruments are specified in ISO 7971‑2:2019, 6.4.

This document specifies a test method for ensuring the traceability of bulk density, called "mass per hectolitre", measuring instruments through reference to standard measurement instruments. The mass per hectolitre is of commercial importance for grain cereals. Several types of instruments with varying performances exist for measuring it. This document also specifies the performances required of national standards instruments, secondary standards instruments, and measuring instruments used in laboratories or in collection or storage silos.

This document specifies minimum specifications for maize (Zea mays L.) intended for human consumption and which is the subject of international trade.

This document specifies a high performance liquid chromatographic method with immunoaffinity column cleanup for the determination of ochratoxin A in cereals and cereal products. The limit of quantification is 0,2 μg/kg. The method detection limit is dependent on the sample matrix as well as on the instrument.

ISO 16634-2:2016 specifies a method for the determination of the total nitrogen content and the calculation of the crude protein content of cereals, pulses and milled cereal products. This method, like the Kjeldahl method (see References [1] and [6]), does not distinguish between protein nitrogen and non-protein nitrogen. For the calculation of the protein content, various conversion factors are used (see 3.2).

ISO 7304-1:2016 sets out a method for estimation by sensory analysis of the cooking quality of alimentary pasta. Estimation takes place through the evaluation of the following: - firmness, by chewing; - liveliness, by manual handling; - starch release, by manual handling. The method does not express a preference and only gives an estimate relating to the evaluation of the cooking of the pasta; it does not apply to small pasta shapes usually consumed in soups. NOTE This method can be applied to all forms of alimentary pasta produced from durum wheat and to products made from common wheat or a mixture of common wheat and durum wheat as long as the appropriate national regulations allow these raw materials to be used in alimentary pasta. ISO 7304-1:2016 has been specifically designed to establish the reference method with a view to the development, approval or monitoring of instrumental or practical methods of sensory analysis.

ISO 21415-2:2015 specifies a method for determining the content of wet gluten and the gluten index for wheat flours (Triticum aestivum L. and Triticum durum Desf.) by mechanical means. This method is directly applicable to flours. It also applies to common and durum wheat after grinding, if their particular size distribution meets the specification given in Table B.1.

ISO 11085:2015 specifies procedures for the determination of the fat content of cereals, cereal-based products, and animal feeding stuffs. These procedures are not applicable to oilseeds and oleaginous fruits. The choice of procedure to be used depends on the nature and composition of the material analysed and the reason for carrying out the analysis. Procedure A is a method for the determination of directly extractable crude fats, applicable to all materials, except those included within the scope of procedure B. Procedure B is a method for the determination of total fats, applicable to all materials from which the oils and fats cannot be completely extracted without prior hydrolysis. NOTE Most cereals, as well as feeds of animal origin, yeasts, potato protein, compound feeds with milk products, glutens, and products subjected to processes such as extrusion, flaking, and heating, yield significantly higher total fat contents when tested by procedure B than by procedure A. See Annex B.

ISO 27971:2015 specifies a method of determining, using an alveograph, the rheological properties of different types of dough obtained from common wheat flour (Triticum aestivum L.) produced by industrial milling or laboratory milling.

ISO 20483:2013 specifies a method for the determination of the nitrogen content of cereals, pulses and derived products, according to the Kjeldahl method, and a method for calculating the crude protein content. The method does not distinguish between protein nitrogen and non-protein nitrogen.

ISO 17718:2013 specifies the determination of rheological behaviour as a function of mixing and temperature increase. It is applicable to all wholemeal and flour samples from industrial or laboratory milling of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

ISO 5530-1:2013 specifies a method, using a farinograph, for the determination of the water absorption of flours and the mixing behaviour of doughs made from them by a constant flour mass procedure, or by a constant dough mass procedure. The method is applicable to experimental and commercial flour from wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

ISO 17715:2013 specifies the determination of the damage to starch using an amperometric method. It is applicable to all flour samples from industrial or laboratory milling of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

ISO 11747:2012 Standard specifies a method for the determination of resistance to extrusion of milled rice kernels, parboiled or not parboiled, after cooking under specified conditions.

This part of ISO 5530 specifies a method, using an extensograph, for the determination of the rheological properties of wheat flour dough in an extension test. The recorded load?extension curve is used to assess general quality of flour and its response to improving agents. The method is applicable to experimental and commercial flours from wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). NOTE This part of ISO 5530 is based on ICC 114.[3]

ISO 6646:2011 specifies a laboratory method for the determination of the yield of husked rice obtained from paddy or parboiled paddy (Oryza sativa L.), and for the determination of the yield of milled head rice obtained from paddy or parboiled paddy, or from husked rice or husked parboiled rice. ISO 6646:2011 is only applicable to abrasive milling equipment.

ISO 520:2010 specifies a method for the determination of the mass of 1 000 grains of cereals and pulses. ISO 520:2010 is applicable to all species of cereals and pulses with the exception of seed lots for sowing purposes.

ISO 24333:2009 specifies requirements for the dynamic or static sampling, by manual or mechanical means, of cereals and cereal products, for assessment of their quality and condition. It is applicable to sampling for the determination of heterogeneously distributed contaminants, undesirable substances, and parameters usually homogeneously distributed like those used to assess quality or compliance with specification. It can be used to determine insects in a grain lot. It is applicable to sampling for assessment of the quality and condition of lots of genetically modified organisms (GMO) but is inappropriate for the determination of the presence of adventitious genetically modified material in non-GM product. It is not applicable to seed grain.

ISO 3092:2009 specifies the determination of the alpha-amylase activity of cereals by the falling number (FN) method according to Hagberg-Perten. This method is applicable to cereal grains, in particular to wheat and rye and their flours, durum wheat and its semolina. This method is not applicable to the determination of low levels of alpha-amylase activity. By converting the FN into a liquefaction number (LN), it is possible to use this method to estimate the composition of mixtures of grain, flour or semolina with known FNs necessary to produce a sample of a required FN.

ISO 712:2009 specifies a routine reference method for the determination of the moisture content of cereals and cereal products. ISO 712:2009 applies to: wheat, rice (paddy, husked and milled), barley, millet (Panicum miliaceum), rye, oats, triticale, sorghum in the form of grains, milled grains, semolina or flour. The method is not applicable to maize and pulses.

ISO 24557:2009 specifies a routine reference method for the determination of moisture content of pulses. The procedure is applicable to chickpeas, lentils, peas, and all classes of beans with the exception of soybeans.

ISO 7971-1:2009 specifies the reference method for the determination of bulk density, called “mass per hectolitre”, of cereals as grain.

ISO 7700-1:2008 specifies a method of checking the performance of moisture meters in service for measuring the moisture content of cereal grains. ISO 7700-1:2008 is not applicable for pattern approval, nor for the initial calibration of moisture meters. The results of the checking described in ISO 7700-1:2008 are used to decide whether to perform a revision or a repair of the moisture meter.

ISO 7304-2:2008 specifies a method for assessing, by sensory analysis, the quality of cooked alimentary pasta in the form of spaghetti or macaroni (i.e. long, solid or short, hollow strands) produced from durum wheat semolina, expressed in terms of the starch release, liveliness and firmness characteristics (i.e. texture) of the pasta. It does not apply to pasta in the form of small strands usually consumed in soups. The method may also be applied to alimentary pasta made from common wheat or a mixture of common wheat and durum wheat, as long as the appropriate national regulations allow these products to be used in alimentary pasta. The method has been specifically developed to provide a procedure for the daily evaluation of pasta samples based on the use of reference samples obtained by sensory analysis. The test result does not express a preference, but gives only an estimate of the cooking quality of the pasta after it has been cooked for the optimum cooking time.

ISO 2171:2007 specifies a method for determining the ash yielded by cereals, pulses and their milled products intended for human consumption. The source materials covered are: a) grains of cereals; b) flours and semolinas; c) milled products (bran and high bran content products, sharps); d) mixed cereal flours (mixes); e) cereal by-products other than milled products; and f) pulses and their by-products. ISO 2171:2007 is not applicable to starches and starch derivatives (see ISO 3593), to products intended for animal feeding stuffs (see ISO 5984), or to seeds.

ISO 5529:2007 describes a method, known as the Zeleny sedimentation test, for assessing one of the factors determining the quality of wheat as a means of predicting the baking strength of the flour which can be made from it. The method is applicable only to Triticum aestivum L. wheat.

ISO 21415-4:2006 specifies a rapid method for the determination of the dry gluten content from wet gluten obtained as specified in either ISO 21415-1 or ISO 21415-2. The method can also be used to determine the moisture content of the wet gluten.

ISO 21415-1:2006 specifies a manual washing out method for the determination of the wet gluten content of wheat flour (Triticum aestivum L. and Triticum durum Desf.). This method is directly applicable to flour. It is also applicable to semolina and wheat after grinding, if their particle size distribution meets the given specification.

ISO 21415-3:2006 specifies a method for the determination of the dry gluten content from wet gluten obtained as specified in either ISO 21415-1 or ISO 21514-2. In this method, dry gluten is obtained from wet gluten by drying in an oven. The method can also be used to determine the moisture content of the wet gluten.

ISO 16002:2004 describes methods for the detection by trapping of live invertebrates in cereal grains and pulses stored in bags or in bulk.

Gives general guidance of keeping cereals. Other aspects of the storage of cereals and pulses are dealt with in ISO 6322-2 and ISAO 6322-3.