Elementary Maize Meal Quality Checks #4: Oil Check – Roff Milling

Quality control plays an important role in every stage of the production of maize products, from intake to packing.

Let’s examine oil (fat) and fibre content testing.

Oil (fat) and fibre content

The oil (fat) and the fibre content of the maize products should be tested on a regular basis because:

The oil content gives the miller an indication of how much of the oil – found in the germ of the maize kernel – has migrated into the endosperm.
The fibre content gives an indication of the amount of bran contamination present in the finished product.

There are specifications for the maximum and minimum levels of oil and fibre in all maize products.

Unfortunately, the standard test method requires a lot of time as well as a full time laboratory assistant to perform them. But there are machines available to perform these tests in a matter of minutes.

NIR machine oil check

NIR MACHINES

Near Infrared Reflectance (NIR) type machines are the most popular meal testing apparatus in use today. There are a number of models on the market; two of the better-known brands are Perten and FOSS.

These machines aren’t cheap, but are handy when technical products such as maize grits are produced, and fat and fibre content is crucial to the product. Other tests, such as moisture and protein, can also be measured on these machines.

Millers who consider buying a NIR machine should consider the following:

Is the machine one of the types in use in other mills?
Does the supplier of the NIR machine have a reliable service technician?
In order to produce reliable results, the NIR machine must be regularly calibrated – at least twice a year.
When the NIR machine was initially calibrated, say for meal moisture, a whole range of samples with differing moisture levels were tested using the long method. These results were then inputted into the NIR machine.

NIR TESTING PROCEDURE

A sample of meal is compressed lightly into a glass cell and exposed to a light source which gives out near infrared radiation. The light reflected from the cell is analysed for the characteristic associated with oil or fibre content. These are presented directly as a percentage oil or fibre.

Frequency of testing: At least every two hours.

Images courtesy of https://www.fossanalytics.com/

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions below

Why should a maize producer consider investing in a maize mill?

A maize mill gives producers the opportunity to add value to their own maize instead of relying only on the raw grain price. By milling, packaging and marketing maize meal, producers can create an additional revenue stream and reduce the impact of maize price volatility on their business. By-products like maize germ and bran can also be sold or used in feed operations, helping ensure that more of the maize kernel contributes to the bottom line.

How can milling help protect farmers from maize price fluctuations?

Maize prices are constantly influenced by market conditions, weather, climate changes and global events. When prices are low, producers may feel pressure on margins, especially when input costs remain high. Milling helps producers move further up the value chain by selling a finished product rather than only raw maize, giving them more control over their margins and market position.

What products can be made from a maize milling plant?

A commercial maize mill can produce maize meal, while some configurations can also produce grits for snack products. The milling process also creates by-products such as maize germ and bran, which can be sold to feedlots or used in a producer’s own animal feed operation. In Idlani’s case, this has become a useful additional income stream alongside their main maize meal business.

What makes the Roff R-70 a good option for maize milling entrepreneurs?

The Roff R-70 is a compact commercial maize mill designed for entrepreneurs who want to produce maize meal at scale. It has a milling capacity of 4 to 5 tons per hour and can produce up to 120 tons of maize per day, depending on the configuration. Roff positions the R-70 as a compact, all-in-one maize mill built around simple, high-quality milling principles.

What support does Roff provide with the R-70?

Roff supplies the mill, electric panel boards, installation, set-up and training. The blog also highlights the value of choosing a manufacturer with a strong reputation, industry knowledge, after-sales support and locally available parts, especially when downtime can directly affect profitability.