Agricultural Product Standards Act, 1990 (Act No. 119 of 1990)

Regulations

Regulations relating to the Grading, Packing and Marking of Maize intended for sale in the Republic of South Africa

Part V : Maize Kernels

17. Determination of percentage of defective maize kernels
Purchase cart Previous page Return to chapter overview Next page

 

The percentage of defective maize kernels in a consignment of maize shall be determined as follows:

 

(a)Obtain a working sample with a mass of at least 150g from the sample of the consignment.

 

(b)Place the working sample on the 6, 35 mm round-hole sieve and screen the sample by moving the sieve 20 strokes to and fro, alternately away from and towards the operator of the sieve. Move the sieve, which rests on a table or other suitable smooth surface, 250 mm to 460 mm away from and towards the operator with each stroke. The prescribed 20 strokes must be completed within 20 to 30 seconds.
(c)Determine the mass of the defective maize kernels and pieces of maize kernels that has passed through the sieve and express it as a percentage of the mass of the working sample

 

(d)Remove all defective maize kernels from that part of the working sample remaining on top of the sieve and express it as a percentage of the mass of the working sample.

 

(e)Calculate the sum of the masses determined in terms of paragraphs (c) and (d).

 

(f)Express the combined mass calculated in terms of paragraph (e) as a percentage of the mass of the working sample.

 

(g)In the case of yellow maize, the percentage obtained—
(i)in terms of paragraph (c), represents the percentage of defective maize kernels and pieces of maize kernels in the consignment concerned, which can pass through the 6,35 mm round-hole sieve; and
(ii)in terms of paragraph (d), represents the percentage of defective maize kernels and pieces of maize kernels in the consignment concerned, which cannot pass through the 6,35 mm round-hole sieve.

 

(h)In the case of white maize, the percentage obtained in terms of paragraph (g) represents the percentage of defective maize kernels in the consignment concerned.