Customer Success Story

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Basmati versus
non-Basmati Rice
Food Safety | Phenotyping | Grading | Quality

Overview
Basmati rice name is a variety of long, slender grained aromatic rice which is traditionally
from the Indian subcontinent. Basmati is geographically exclusive to specific districts of
India and Pakistan (similar to Champagne or Cognac in France). The price of Basmati rice is
approximately 3 times higher than other long grain rice varieties. As a result, there is often
good motivation to blend (mix) lower-cost varieties or lower grades of rice with the Basmati
in order to maximize the sellers profits. Food manufacturers at the end of the supply chain,
which includes farmers, traders, processing, packing and logistics companies, are exposed
to paying for sub-standard or lower quality product, leading to financial and regulatory risk.
Additionally, supplying such product to consumers could lead to breaches of FDA
regulations.

Existing Basmati Rice Quality Controls

The current manual inspection methods used to identify non-Basmati rice are not adequate. According to
the government of India, a precooked milled Basmati rice kernel must be at least 6.61mm in length and a
width of 2mm. One inspection method is to hand pick 10-20 kernels from a sample and measure the length
and width of each kernel with a set of calipers and calculate the average values. Another method is to put
15 kernels in a row, measure the total length and dived by 15 to calculate the average length. The same
process is then used to calculate the width measurement. A sample of 20g has approximately 1,200 kernels
so practically and statistically these outdated methods cannot provide accurate information and indication
of blending levels or use the results as evidence of quality in communications with the seller who are
normally based overseas.

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The potential financial loss for a buyer can be calculated to illustrate the risk of inadequate inspection and
testing methods. In order to estimate the loss three levels of blending of non-Basmati were used. Other
factors were assumed as follows:
• Basmati price, $1,500USD per MT (Metric Ton) Blended Non- Net Loss (USD)
• Non-Basmati, long grain price $500USD per MT Basmati
• A single 20’ container holds 25 metric tons of rice 5% $1,250
• Value of one 20’ container of Basmati rice is therefore 10% $2,500
$37,500USD 20% $5,000
• Prices are FOB, without logistics costs
• The non-Basmati rice value is calculated as used and sold by the buyer.

Vibe QM3 Grain Analyser

The Vibe-QM3 Grain Analyzer measures and analyzes each grain in a given sample, it then classifies,
visualizes, and reports at the individual grain and full sample level. A test was conducted to assess the
effectiveness of the Vibe QM3 in identifying different types of rice in a sample and demonstrate the value
of digital inspection compared to existing methods. The test used kernel length, width, and length to width
ratio to classify each grain in the sample. The results of the test were provided by count, percentage of the
count, and as a percentage of the total weight. The test calibration was developed by the customer with
the simple to use Vibe Calibration Wizard software. The subsequent analysis results are absolute,
repeatable and reproducible to an accuracy of 99.5% at the sample level. For a sample of 20 grams, the
total analysis time was just 15 seconds. The process is very simple, only requiring the user to place a sample
on the instrument and click ‘Analyze’ on the software user interface. The instrument is suitable for
laboratory, processing line or a warehouse environment. The QM3 Analysis report provided two
numbers: % of Basmati and % Non-Basmati. Individual kernel level data and sample statistics are also
available.

Vibe QM3 Analysis Results

Two samples of rice were prepared and tested, Basmati and long grain non-Basmati. The actual values for
each rice kernel were obtained in addition sample level statistical results.

For a live demo/information

about Vibe Imaging Analytics or
Rice analysis please contact
rice@vibeia.com

Vibe USA Vibe Israel EnAgWa Analytics

Tel. +1 (408) 909-5675 Tel. +972 (0)3 601-3195 Tel. +86 158 2102 4610
contact.usa@vibeia.com contact.israel@vibeia.com sales@enagwa.com

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 Customer Success Story
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The two samples were then mixed together to imitate a blended sample.

Analysis Results Summary and Visualization

The four graphs below illustrate the Basmati and non-Basmati samples’ average values. The orange line
represents the Basmati rice and the blue line represents the non-Basmati rice. The results show that there
are clear differences between the two types of rice in the blended sample. The Basmati rice is longer and
thinner and the length to width ratio is significant higher, however the average surface area of the kernels
is the same in both rice varieties.

Rice Length (mm) Rice Width (mm)

10.00 3.00
9.00
2.50
8.00
7.00
2.00
6.00
5.00 LG 1.50 LG
4.00 Bas. Bas.
1.00
3.00
2.00
0.50
1.00
0.00 0.00
1
11
21
31
41
51
61
71
81
91
101
111
121
131
141
151
161
171
181
191
201
211
221
231
241
251
261
271
281
291
301
311
321

1
11
21
31
41
51
61
71
81
91
101
111
121
131
141
151
161
171
181
191
201
211
221
231
241
251
261
271
281
291
301
311
321

Rice Area (MM^2) Rice Length to Width Ratio

16.00 6.00
14.00
5.00
12.00
4.00
10.00

8.00 LG 3.00 LG

6.00 Bas. Bas.

2.00
4.00
1.00
2.00

0.00 0.00
1
12
23

45
56
67
78
89
100
111
122
133

155
166
177
188
199
210
221
232
243

265
276
287
298
309
320
144

254

1
12
23

45
56
67
78
89
100
111
122
133

155
166
177
188
199
210
221
232
243

265
276
287
298
309
320
34

144

254
34

In summary, the impact of blending on the supply chain and food companies is real and significant. It affects
the final product quality and consistency in addition to the financial and regulatory risk. Digital inspection
is essential to monitor the quality of the rice shipment as this method allows for the important increase in
the number of rice kernels under test from 10 or 20 to a much higher number which is more statistically
representative. In addition, using a digital certificate of analysis with reference images and measurements
will improve the communication between the seller and buyer. Digital inspection return on investment (ROI)
is clear and simple to calculate, enabling a reduction in business risk and improvement in company profits.

Vibe USA Vibe Israel EnAgWa Analytics

Tel. +1 (408) 909-5675 Tel. +972 (0)3 601-3195 Tel. +86 158 2102 4610
contact.usa@vibeia.com contact.israel@vibeia.com sales@enagwa.com

Ó Vibe Imaging Analytics | www.vibeia.com

 Customer Success Story
www.vibeia.com

About Vibe Imaging Analytics

Vibe Imaging Analytics develops, manufactures and sells advanced analysis instruments, sensors and
complementary cloud based solutions. Based on best in class imaging and data processing technologies
that includes optics, illumination control, camera imaging and algorithm development. We provide for our
customers a simple to use experience that delivers absolute, accurate and reproducible results that save
time, reduce costs, increase profits and decrease risks.

Vibe USA Vibe Israel EnAgWa Analytics

Tel. +1 (408) 909-5675 Tel. +972 (0)3 601-3195 Tel. +86 158 2102 4610
contact.usa@vibeia.com contact.israel@vibeia.com sales@enagwa.com

Ó Vibe Imaging Analytics | www.vibeia.com