Abstract: A sampling mill for grinding discrete materials to obtain a representative sample is provided by this invention. The mill is particularly useful for grinding various foodstuffs such as corn, peanuts, animal foods and the like. The material to be sampled is fed to a rotary worm gear of substantial length connected to a burr plate to feed the material between a second plate. By varying the worm gear with comminuting means, the placement of burrs on the burr plate and the distance between the burr plates, the size of the ground sample can be varied and different types of foodstuffs can be ground and sampled as compared to a grinder with limited adjustability. The ground sample is distributed to a main discharge chute and a sampling chute with an adjustable valve to provide a selected small percentage of the total ground foodstuff.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adsorption and detection of adsorbents or analytes. The method and apparatus can be employed in the field for rapid adsorption of analytes and is particularly useful for detection of mycotoxins. A sample to be analyzed is prepared in solution and placed in a test tube. A tube-like adsorption column having a seal and a valve member is forcefully fed into the test tube to force solutions through the valve member into the columun and through a filter and adsorbent to trap interferences. The semi-purified solution may then be analyzed for the presence of analytes. The column with the purified solution may be further employed with a second smaller adsorption column similarly equipped with a seal and valve member fitting within the first column. In similar fashion the second column may be forced into the first column to expel the solution therein into the second column and through one or more selective adsorbents for different analytes such as one or more mycotoxins.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adsorption and detection of adsorbents or analytes. The method and apparatus can be employed in the field for rapid adsorption of analytes and is particularly useful for detection of mycotoxins. A sample to be analyzed is prepared in solution and placed in a test tube. A tube-like adsorption column having a seal and a valve member is forcefully fed into the test tube to force solutions through the valve member into the column and through a filter and adsorbent to trap interference. The semi-purified solution may then be analyzed for the presence of analytes. The column with the purified solution may be further employed with a second smaller adsorption column similarly equipped with a seal and valve member fitting within the first column. In similar fashion the second column may be forced into the first column to expel the solution therein into the second column and through one or more selective adsorbents for different analytes such as one or more mycotixins.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for obtaining a uniform ground sample of grain, seeds and other foodstuff of a lot to be tested for make-up composition including presence of mycotoxins. A planetary grinder is employed having for example three peripheral discharge outlets, two of which are of uniform size and the third of which has a restricted outlet to discharge a test sample, such as 6% of the entire lot being ground. The test sample has been found to have a closely similar composition to the entire lot and can be subjected to analysis of one type or another with confidence of its representative composition.