The use of near infrared transmittance kernel sorting technology to salvage high quality grain from grain downgraded due to Fusarium damage

Abstract

The mycotoxins associated with specific Fusarium fungal infections of grains are a threat to global food and feed security. These fungal infestations are referred to as Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) and lead to Fusarium Damaged Kernels (FDK). Incidence of FDK >0.25% will lower the grade, with a tolerance of 5% FDK for export feed grain. During infestation, the fungi can produce a variety of mycotoxins, the most common being deoxynivalenol (DON). Fusarium Damaged Kernels have been associated with reduced crude protein (CP), lowering nutritional, functional and grade value. New technology has been developed using Near Infrared Transmittance (NIT) spectra that estimate CP of individual kernels of wheat, barley and durum. Our objective is to evaluate the technology's capability to reduce FDK and DON of downgraded wheat and ability to salvage high quality safe kernels. In five FDK downgraded sources of wheat, the lowest 20% CP kernels had significantly increased FDK and DON with the high CP fractions having decreased FDK and DON, thousand kernel weights (TKW) and bushel weight (Bu). Strong positive correlations were observed between FDK and DON (r ¼ 0.90); FDK and grade (r ¼ 0.62) and DON and grade (r ¼ 0.62). Negative correlations were observed between FDK and DON with CP (r ¼ 0.27 and 0.32); TKW (r ¼ 0.45 and 0.54) and Bu (r ¼ 0.79 and 0.74). Results show improved quality and value of Fusarium downgraded grain using this technology.