GRAIN QUALITY TESTING LABORATORY
GRAIN QUALITY TESTING LAB
Grain Quality Testing Lab (GQTL) is an important
component of Food Testing Programme. This state of the art laboratory was
established in June 2004, with the aim to provide all the facilities for grain
quality testing under one roof.
Vision: To be recognized as the market leader in grain analysis in Asia to support Pakistan’s trade in the region.
Mission:
To provide accredited analytical laboratory services to the entire satisfaction of our clients
To stay ahead with new technologies
To be internationally competitive
To be financially independent
QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (QMS)
Quality data is of great importance to us; GQTL staff participates in several international proficiency programs to maintain international credibility of our results.
We use valid, verified and standard methods.
Rapid turnaround time is assured and confidential
handling of our client’s information and of data generated by the GQTL is
guaranteed.
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Accreditation Status GQTL has been ISO17025 accredited since 2007, with the technical and financial support from UNIDO and EU under Trade Related Technical Assistance (TRTA) project. GQTL is being further strengthened under the National Animal & Plant Health Inspection Services to test and certify plant health issues.
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Analytical services
GQTL analyzes the quality parameters of various food commodities in the following areas:
Physical quality characteristics of grains
Cereal chemistry and cooking quality
Pest and disease related to grain
Environmental safety aspects viz pesticide residues, heavy metals and mycotoxins.
Microbiological and pathological testing
On an average about 2000 samples are tested per annum.
The laboratories interact with public sector on technical matters related to wheat, rice and pulses quality specifications for imports / export.
Laboratories are also providing
testing/certification facilities to fruits and vegetables exporters on pesticide
residues and heavy metals to facilitate their exports.
Procedure for Sample Testing:
Sample to be analyzed should be sent to the office of Incharge Customer Services, Grain quality Testing Lab alongwith the payment. Payment can be made by Cash or Bank draft in the favour of Director (Administration), National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad
For further information regarding sample testing, Customer Service Section may be contacted
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Incharge Customer Services |
Contact Numbers |
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Muhammad Amjad Qureshi |
051-8443304, 051-8443312 |
Parameters analyzed along with their cost of analysis are given in the table below:
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Materials |
Test |
Cost / Sample |
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CEREALS |
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WHEAT & MAIZE GRAIN AND PRODUCTS |
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Grain quality |
Grain milling (yield) |
200 |
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Grain moisture |
200 |
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Test weight (kernel) |
200 |
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Chapatti making & baking |
300 |
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Grain Physical quality tests |
1500 |
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Flour quality |
Moisture |
300 |
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Gluten |
1000 |
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Falling Number / a-Amylase activity |
1000 |
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Farinograph |
1500 |
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Particle Size Index (PSI) |
300 |
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Chemical analysis |
Protein |
1500 |
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Acidity / Fat Acidity |
300 |
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Fat |
1000 |
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Ash |
500 |
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Fiber |
500 |
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Carbohydrate |
800 |
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Starch |
1000 |
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Minerals |
1000/Mineral |
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Phytic acid |
800 |
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Lysine |
1000 |
RICE |
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Chemical analysis |
Protein |
1500 |
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Fat |
1000 |
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Fiber |
500 |
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Moisture |
300 |
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Alkali spreading value |
300 |
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Amylase content |
500 |
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Gel consistency |
500 |
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Physical analysis |
De-hulling of paddy |
300 |
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Milling of de-hulled rice |
300 |
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Grading of rice |
200 |
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Physical characterization (length, breath, thickness, L/B, quality index) |
800 |
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Grading of milled rice (%broken, shriveled, discoloured, red rice, stone and insect dropping) |
1500 |
PULSES |
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CHICKPEA, SOYBEAN, COWPEA AND OTHER COMMON BEANS |
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Physicochemical analysis |
Seed weight |
100 |
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Seed volume |
100 |
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Hydration capacity |
100 |
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Hydration index |
100 |
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Swelling capacity |
100 |
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Swelling index |
100 |
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Cooking time |
200 |
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Proximate composition |
Same as wheat |
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Anti-nutritional factors |
1500 |
OIL SEEDS AND PRODUCTS |
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SOYBEAN, PEANUT, CORN, CANOLA, BRASSICA, SULFLOWER, LINSEED ETC. |
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Oil |
Colour & Odour |
200 |
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Oil Content |
1000 |
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Density |
200 |
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Refractive index |
300 |
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Iodine value |
700 |
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Rancidity (peroxide value) |
700 |
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Boiling time |
200 |
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Melting time (flash point) |
200 |
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Acid value |
700 |
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Sponification value |
800 |
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Vitamin A (qualitative) |
1500 |
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Glucosinulate |
800 |
FRUITS, VEGETABLES & PRODUCTS |
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KETCHUP, JAM, JELLIES, SQUASHES ETC. |
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Physicochemical analysis |
pH value |
300 |
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Acidity |
800 |
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Vitamin C |
1000 |
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Sugars |
1000 |
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Minerals |
1000/Mineral |
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Pectin |
1200 |
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Tannin |
1200 |
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Ash |
500 |
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Protein |
1500 |
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Chlorophyll |
800 |
HONEY AND SUGAR |
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Physicochemical analysis |
Color |
300 |
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Density |
300 |
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Total solids |
300 |
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Sugars |
1000 |
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Moisture |
300 |
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Ash |
500 |
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Acidity |
800 |
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HMF (hydroxyl-methyl furfural content) |
1200 |
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pH |
300 |
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Protein |
1500 |
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Microscopic analysis (pollen grains and other substances) |
500 |
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FOOD CONTAMINANTS |
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Microorganisms/pathogens |
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Processed and unprocessed foods |
Total Plate count |
500 |
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Total Coliforms |
500 |
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E.coli |
1000 |
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Yeast and molds |
500 |
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Toxinogenic fungi |
1000 |
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Karnal Bunt |
1000 |
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Ergot |
1000 |
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Mycotoxins |
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Aflatoxin, |
3000/toxin |
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Processed, unprocessed foods and water |
Heavy Metals |
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Lead, Mercury, Copper, Cadmium, Magnesium, Manganese and Iron |
1000 / element |
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OTHER TESTS |
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Seed germination |
500 |
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Seed varieties mixing |
To be determined |
Major Equipments Available
GQTL is equipped with the latest testing facilities, details of some of the major equipment are given below:
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EQUIPMENT |
PURPOSE |
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· Milling Machines · Dividers · Test Weight apparatus · Sieves · Digesters with scrubber · Rotavapour · Shaker · Water baths · Incubators · Fuming Hood · Autoclaves |
Sample Preparation |
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· Auto Kjeldahl Unit |
For Nitrogen / Protein Analysis |
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· Extraction Unit |
For Extraction of crude fat |
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· Fibertec |
To analyze Crude Fiber |
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· Muffled Furnace |
For Ash Determination |
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· Hot Air Oven · Moisture meter |
For Moisture Determination |
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· HPLC |
to analyze vitamins and aflatoxins |
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· Atomic Absorption |
For Heavy metal analysis |
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· GC/MS |
For Pesticide Residues Analysis |
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· Inframatic |
Rapid analysis of moisture/protein |
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· Spectrophotometer |
To analyze the components on colour basis |
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· Capillary Electrophoresis |
Separation of organic molecules |
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· Farinograph |
To determine stability , water absorption and other rheological characters of the wheat flour |
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· Falling number |
To measure alpha amylase activities. |
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· Alveograph |
To determine dough properties of wheat. |
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· Glutamatic |
To measure Gluten in the dough |
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· Eliza Reader |
Aflatoxin analysis |
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· Colony Counter |
To count bacterial colonies |
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· Colour grader |
To grade the wheat grains according to their colour. |
RESOURCE PERSON:
| Dr. Samina Khalil | Director |
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