This method describes how to determine the moisture content of barley. The amount of moisture in barley is relevant for its long-term storage. Moisture contents less than 14 % are considered favorable, below 12 % is better.
Prior to storage, the moisture content of barley must be determined.
In contrast to the NIR method, the more recently developed NIT method measures the light passing through the samples. This technique requires no pretreatment of the samples, thus eliminating a major source of error. The large sample size, approx. 500 g, makes highly precise measurements possible. Measurements are usually made in the wavelength range of 850−1100 nm.
Calibration and the calculations for determining the amounts of the various constituents are both performed in the same way as in the NIR method. Special software for personal computers can be employed to create the calibration data, which uses the data structure generated and stored in the NIT device as a basis for the calculations. The advantages offered by this method are the rapidity of the analysis (approx. 45 s per sample) and the absence of chemicals.