OFFICIAL METHODS AND RECOMMENDED PRACTICES OF THE AMERICAN

OIL CHEMISTS’ SOCIETY

SAMPLING AND ANALYSIS OF VEGETABLE OIL SOURCE MATERIALS

SECTION A

These methods are suitable for sampling and analysis of vegetable oil source materials including
cottonseed, soybean and peanuts, as indicated within the scope of each method .They provide
standard procedures for the commercial evaluation of these materials and for the determination
of constituents found important in trading .These methods are based on extensive experience,
committee investigation and collaborative work.

WARNING

Some of the methods contained in this section require the use of flammable, toxic, hazardous
and / or poisonous materials .Manufacturers safety instructions and the cautionary statements
included in the methods for handling these materials should be observed. Methods requiring
the use of hazardous and toxic materials should be carried out in a properly operating fume
hood, to prevent exposure of laboratory personnel. Appropriate protective clothing and
equipment should be worn. See the Laboratory Safety section following the Index in Volume 1
of this edition

Sampling

Scope: Applicable to cottonseed (see notes,1)

Apparatus

1. Pneumatic Probe Sampler –The unit is powered with 7/8 h.p . Class II ,Group G motor
installed with specially designed cyclone air pump and a cyclone collector tank having
bottom release shutter,48 inches (123cm) long by 11 ¾ inches (30cm) inside diameter:
rolled aluminum probe tube 8 feet (2.4cm) in length by 2 1/ 2 inches (6cm) inside
diameter :bottom of probe tube to be equipped with lightweight steel saw tooth cutter
 blade and top with swivel type 90 elbow so that section turns freely the full 360 º
around top of probe tube : sufficient length (15 to 30 feet; 4.6 to 9) of 2 ½ inch (6cm)
inside diameter neoprene tubing reinforced with flexible wire. Cyclone collector tank
intake nozzle should have 2 ½ inch (6cm) inside diameter
2. Trier .The trier should be a corkscrew type, that will take about 4 to 6 pounds (1.8 to 2.7
kg ) of cottonseed at a single probe. Made of band steel 7/16 * 5/32 inches
(approximately 11 mm *4mm) and bent to form an open cylinder about 3 inches (8cm)
in diameter .The pitch of the twist is about 2 inches 85cm) and screw portion long
enough to reach the bottom of the loads sampled .
A single slight twist will cut the wall so that the trier may be readily withdrawn
3. Spout or chute sampler – this sampler may be fabricated by attaching an 8 * 5 ½ inch
(20cm*14cm) elevator bucket to a pole long enough to enable sampler to place the
bucket in a level position in the center of stream chute as car or truck is unloaded.
4. Shaker – cleaner –This a motor driven device, equipped with a sample reducer .For
details of the shaker – cleaner, refer to US Department of Agriculture, Consumer &,
Marketing Service, Cotton Division, Washington, DC 20250.
5. Metal Sampling Containers –These are containers with close-fitting covers, about 2.5 US
bushel capacity (88liter).
6. Sample Containers –These containers should be moisture tight and about 1.000g
capacity .They are used for sending sample to laboratory.
7. Scale – 100 pounds ( 50kg )capacity, sensitive to +- 0.25 Ib (+- 0.2kg).
8. Scale -10 pounds (5kg) capacity , sensitive to +_ 0.5 oz (+-15g).

Procedure

1. Gross Sample- Take a gross sample of cottonseed to represent a carload lot or the
composite of the lots of several logically combined truckloads.(Typically representing
about 100 tons from a single ginning point ).This gross sample shall have a minimum
weight of 50 pounds (23kg) and consist of the entire contests taken by the sampler in a
minimum of 10 regularly spaced probes. Probes shall be uniformly spaced (typically y 1
probe for each 10 –ton sublot) geometrically ,as for a loaded car, by time when the lot is
in motion as in unloading , or by individual truck weights when random sizes are
encountered. Gross samples shall be protected at all times (during probing, handling,
compositing and storage) from changes due to exposure to atmospheric conditions in a
suitable moisture-proof container.
2. Carlots before Unloading – Make an imaginary division of the carload into 4 square
sections .In or near the center of each, dig a hole about 30 inches(76cm)dep.(A short
handled,5-tine seed fork is helpful).Take about 15 pounds (6.8kg) of seed from the sides
and the bottom of each hole. Place immediately into a suitable moisture .proof bag or
can.
Note : if loading conditions permit ,either the pneumatic probe or the corkscrew type
trier may be used in the manner specified for truck lots before unloading.
3. Car or truck lots during Unloading –Take samples from the center of the unloading chute
with the spout sampler at regular intervals (depending upon the rate of unloading)
,planned to conform to the general requirements of a minimum of 10 probes for a gross
sample with a minimum weight of 50 pounds(23kg) .Protect the sample being
accumulated from changes from exposure to atmospheric conditions with a suitable
moisture-proof container.
4. Truck, Lots before Unloading –Use either the pneumatic probe sampler or the corkscrew
type trier. The pneumatic probe should be inserted vertically and lowered with an easy
up and down motion until the bottom of the load is reached .Avoid forcing the probe
into the cottonseed, as this is prone to cause clogging in the tube leading to the cyclone
collector .The corkscrew – type trier should be inserted vertically and driven as deeply as
possible before being withdrawn. However particularly if power driven, it should not be
rotated after reaching the truck bed to prevent shaking sand and small trash from the
sample. With either sampler, plan the probing schedule to meet the general
requirements of a minimum weight of 50 pounds (23kg) in the gross sample with a
minimum of 10 regularly spaced probes. Allot probes to trucks according to weight,
typically 1probe for small trucks and 2 probes for large trucks or multiples thereof .Space
probes in a regular geometric pattern, such as front, middle and back areas with left ,
central and right axes, filing out the pattern as it is carried over from truck to truck.
Protect the sample being accumulated from changes from exposure to atmospheric
conditions with a suitable moisture-proof container.

Cleaning and separation of laboratory sample

1. Weigh to nearest 0.25 pound (0.1kg) and pass the entire amount over the shaker-
cleaner. Collect and weigh all separated foreign matter and calculate the amount.
Place 1.00g of the mixed sample in the laboratory sample container.
2. If the shaker-cleaner is not equipped with a sample reducing device, mix the entire
cleaned sample in the McLennan mixer and place about 1.00g in the laboratory
sample container.

Calculate foreign matter as follows:

Foreign matter,%= weight of foreign matter *100/weight of sample.

Notes

1. When cottonseed is purchased on standard grades of the United States

Department of Agriculture (USDA),the sampling shall be done only by persons
licensed by the secretary of Agriculture and must be done in accordance with
methods approved by the Administrator Consumer 6 Marketing Service ,USDA.
 FOREIGN MATTER IN LABORATORY SAMPLE
Definition: all materials passing a nº 6. NBS sieve plus any portions of bolls, sticks, and leaf from
the cotton plant plus any non-cotton material, unginned locks of cotton are removed as foreign
material.

Scope. Application to laboratory sample of cottonseed.(see notes,1)

Apparatus:

1. Scale, capacity 2.000 to 3.000g and sensitive to +- 1g.

2. Sieve, Nº 6 NBS, 12to 15 inches in diameter. The screen cloth should meet ASTM E 11-
81specifications.
3. Henry cottonseed Mixer: USDA design mixer, or equivalent (see notes2)
4. Suitable containers with tight-fitting covers in which portions of the sample for moisture,
oil, nitrogen and free fatty acids determinations can be placed

Procedure

1. Prior to cleaning and mixing the laboratory simple, small portion of the seed, totaling at
least 100 g, shall be withdrawn and placed in a suitable container with a tight-fitting cover.
This part of the simple is to be used for the determination of moisture by A.O.C.S. Official
Method Aa 3-38.
2. Weigh the entire laboratory sample of about 1.000g pass the sample over the 6 mesh
screen (apparatus,2) remove as much foreign matter as possible, and pick out on a clean
,dry surface.
3. Place in an approved mixer and mix until sample is uniform (about 2min)
4. If a cleaner –mixer is used ,entire laboratory sample is placed in the cleaner-mixer, where
it should be cleaned and mixed for 3 min. Pick out remaining foreign matter by hand
5. Empty mixed and cleaned sample onto a large piece of paper and divide into four
quarters, avoiding remixing. Return quarters 1 and 3 to the original sample container
.Place quarters 2 and 4 in the containers designated in Apparatus, paragraph 4.

Calculations

1. Foreign matter =weight of foreign matter *100/weight of sample

2. If foreign matter in the laboratory sample is to be reported as part of the total foreign
matter in the original sample (about 50 Ibs ) it is calculated as follows

% total foreign matter in original sample (about 50Lbs)=FM +[(100-FM)*fm/100]

Where

FM= % of foreign matter in large sample

Fm= % of foreign matter in laboratory sample

Notes

1. If foreign matter determination is to be used in the calculation of the 2grade” of

cottonseed, references should be made to U.S Department of Agriculture Regulations.
2. Henry Cottonseed Mixer can be obtained on special order from William C Ellis & Sons,245
S.Front St ,Memphis,TN38013.USDAdesign cleaner- mixer may be obtained on special
order from Riza Mfg,3312 Horton Rd,Ft,Worth,TX76119,phone (817) 534-9616