A toaster according to the disclosure includes a light receiving unit configured to receive reflected light from bread being cooked and a surface condition determination unit configured to determine a surface condition of the bread being cooked on the basis of intensity of the reflected light received by the light receiving unit.

Described herein are systems and methods for the automated adjustment of flour property measurement equipment such as dough rheometers. The systems and methods allow measurements of flour and dough to be performed on different rheometers with consistent results, regardless of the manufacturer or location of the rheometers. The systems and methods described herein allow a second rheometer, for example, that is deployed in the field to provide results that are consistent with a first dough rheometer, for example, that may be at a different location, or the same location but of the same or different manufacturer. The systems and methods can be used to calibrate, remotely and in real-time, dough rheometers that are deployed in various locations.

Described herein are systems and methods for the automated adjustment of flour property measurement equipment such as dough rheometers. The systems and methods allow measurements of flour and dough to be performed on different rheometers with consistent results, regardless of the manufacturer or location of the rheometers. The systems and methods described herein allow a second rheometer, for example, that is deployed in the field to provide results that are consistent with a first dough rheometer, for example, that may be at a different location, or the same location but of the same or different manufacturer. The systems and methods can be used to calibrate, remotely and in real-time, dough rheometers that are deployed in various locations.

Described herein are methods for quickly measuring properties of grain kernels. The methods allow for a quick, qualitative assessment of high amylose content in the grain kernel. The methods described herein allow for the assessment of high amylose content in wheat in either a laboratory setting or in the field with a minimum of equipment required. The results of these methods may be used to determine if high amylose kernels have been contaminated with normal or low amylose kernels.

A method and composition for extracting an analyte from a test sample such as grain, so as to determine whether the test sample is contaminated with a toxin. The method is particularly useful for detecting the presence in a batch of grain of a mycotoxin, such as for example aflatoxin, ochratoxin, T2, zearalanone, vomitoxin (deoxynivalenol a/k/a DON), patulin and fumonisin. Extraction is performed with use of a composition that includes a proteinaceous material, such as albumin, as an extraction agent.

A method and composition for extracting an analyte from a test sample such as grain, so as to determine whether the test sample is contaminated with a toxin. The method is particularly useful for detecting the presence in a batch of grain of a mycotoxin, such as for example aflatoxin, ochratoxin, T2, zearalanone, vomitoxin (deoxynivalenol a/k/a DON), patulin and fumonisin. Extraction is performed with use of a composition that includes a proteinaceous material, such as albumin, as an extraction agent.

Methods and system for determining water activity of a sample material are disclosed in which a sample material is positioned in a water activity measurement device, a plurality of water activity values of the sample material are measured at a respective plurality of points of time, with the plurality of points in time preceding an equilibrium state of the water activity of the sample material, the plurality of water activity values over time are log-transformed, a trendline of the plurality of water activity values over time is calculated, and the trendline is extrapolated to determine an extrapolated water activity value of the sample material at the equilibrium state. These methods and systems can decrease the time needed to determine the water activity of the sample by reliably predicting and estimating water activity well before equilibrium is reached in the measurement chamber.

Methods and system for determining water activity of a sample material are disclosed in which a sample material is positioned in a water activity measurement device, a plurality of water activity values of the sample material are measured at a respective plurality of points of time, with the plurality of points in time preceding an equilibrium state of the water activity of the sample material, the plurality of water activity values over time are log-transformed, a trendline of the plurality of water activity values over time is calculated, and the trendline is extrapolated to determine an extrapolated water activity value of the sample material at the equilibrium state. These methods and systems can decrease the time needed to determine the water activity of the sample by reliably predicting and estimating water activity well before equilibrium is reached in the measurement chamber.

A toaster according to the disclosure includes a light receiving unit configured to receive reflected light from bread being cooked and a surface condition determination unit configured to determine a surface condition of the bread being cooked on the basis of intensity of the reflected light received by the light receiving unit.

A toaster according to the disclosure includes a light receiving unit configured to receive reflected light from bread being cooked and a surface condition determination unit configured to determine a surface condition of the bread being cooked on the basis of intensity of the reflected light received by the light receiving unit.