Extraneous Matter AACC International Method 28-51.

02
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Flotation Method, for Insect and Rodent Filth

Final approval October 15, 1997; Reapproval November 3, 1999

Objective
To extract, quantitate and evaluate insect fragments, rodent hair and other
light filth elements. The method is applicable to whole and degerminated
cornmeal, corn grits, brewer’s grits, rye meal, wheat meal, flour, whole-wheat
flour, farina, and semolina.

Apparatus
1. Trap flask, 1-liter.
2. Wide-field stereoscopic microscope.
3. Wash bottle.
4. Probes.
5. Petri dishes.
6. Filter paper, S&S no. 8, ruled.
7. Büchner funnel, with suction.

Reagents
1. 60% isopropyl alcohol saturated with heptane. See Method 28-02.01
paragraph 10.
2. Heptane.
3. Glycerin/alcohol (50:50).

Procedure
1. Use decanted material from Method 28-50.01.
2. Draw air through material in Büchner funnel until liquid evaporates.
3. Air-dry overnight or dry in oven 1 hr at about 80°. Caution: In oven-
drying, phosgene is liberated, and adequate ventilation must be provided.
4. Transfer residue to 1-liter trap flask.
5. Add 100 ml 60% heptane-saturated 60% alcohol.
6. Mix thoroughly.
7. Wash sides of flask with alcohol-heptane solution until about 400 ml is
added.
8. Soak 30 min.
9. Add 25 ml heptane and stir for 5 min.
10. Let stand 5 min.
11. Fill with heptane-saturated alcohol until oil phase is well into neck of
flask. See Method 28-03.02, Operation of trap flask.
12. Let stand 30 min.
13. Raise stopper or disk and trap oil phase into beaker.
14. Add 20 ml heptane and stir in.
15. Let stand 30 min.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1094/AACCIntMethod-28-51.02

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Extraneous Matter AACC International Method 28-51.02
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Flotation Method, for Insect and Rodent Filth (continued)

16. Trap off as above and add to beaker.

17. Rinse rod and neck of flask and add all rinsings to beaker.
18. With Büchner funnel, filter onto filter paper.
19. Transfer to petri dish.
20. Add glycerin-alcohol solution sufficient to wet paper but not float residue.
21. Examine microscopically at 30×.
22. Report each hair or hair fragment by type, if known, and length in mm.
23. Report insect fragments in number and type, if known.
24. Report whole insects, equivalents (heads), and cast skins by number and
type.
25. List aphids, thrips, and mites separately.

Note
Rodent excreta can be positively identified by removal and identification of
undigested hair.

Reference
AOAC International. 1997. Official Methods of Analysis of AOAC International, 16th ed., 3rd rev.
Methods 941.16B and 981.19. The Association, Gaithersburg, MD.

©AACC International, Inc.