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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Albany, California » Western Regional Research Center » Foodborne Toxin Detection and Prevention Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #159520
Title: SUBSAMPLE PREPARATION OF PISTACHIOS

Author
item SCHATZKI, THOMAS - COLLABORATOR,ARS,WRRC
item Toyofuku, Natsuko

Submitted to: Fruit Nut and Vegetable Production Engineering
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/1/2001
Publication Date: 1/1/2002
Citation: SCHATZKI, T.F., TOYOFUKU, N. SUBSAMPLE PREPARATION OF PISTACHIOS. FRUIT NUT AND VEGETABLE PRODUCTION ENGINEERING. 2002. p. 171-176.

Interpretive Summary: A theory is developed for predicting the variance resulting from comminuting (by grinding) a sample taken from a lot of contaminated particles, such as tree nuts contaminated with aflatoxin. The predicted variance is a function of the weight distribution of comminuted particles, the sample size and the probability that a nut in the lot is contaminated. This prediction is tested experimentally by grinding 10kg samples dry or by wet slurrying, which results in significantly differing weight distributions. Agreement within 30% is obtained between experimental and calculated coefficients of variation without the use of any adjustable parameters. Optimum comminuting conditions for both dry and wet methods are explored, as both are in use in N. America and Europe.

Technical Abstract: A theory is developed for predicting the variance resulting from comminuting (by grinding) a sample taken from a lot of contaminated particles, such as tree nuts contaminated with aflatoxin. The predicted variance is a function of the weight distribution of comminuted particles, the sample size and the probability that a nut in the lot is contaminated. This prediction is tested experimentally by grinding 10kg samples dry or by wet slurrying, which results in significantly differing weight distributions. Agreement within 30% is obtained between experimental and calculated coefficients of variation without the use of any adjustable parameters. Optimum comminuting conditions for both dry and wet methods are explored, as both are in use in N. America and Europe.