Falling number (FN), a long‐standing procedure that indirectly measures α‐amylase activity, is routinely used in official inspection operations and commerce to infer processing characteristics and end‐use quality of wheat. Because price may be moderated by FN, good precision of this procedure is essential. A study was enacted to search for a reference material that can be used to monitor FN instruments in a network. Because starch is the largest component of the wheat grain and responsible for the viscous behavior of paste meals, pure forms of starch were considered. Four native starches were selected, corn (from maize), potato, rice, and wheat. Weekly measurements were made over three months using two FN instruments in anticipation that eventual network monitoring programs in government and industry will consist of control charting at this frequency.

中文翻译：

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评估用于落数测量的标准参考物质

落数（FN）是一种间接测量α-淀粉酶活性的长期方法，通常用于官方检查操作和商业中，以推断小麦的加工特性和最终使用质量。由于FN可能会降低价格，因此此过程的良好精度至关重要。开展了一项研究，以寻找可用于监视网络中FN仪器的参考资料。由于淀粉是小麦籽粒中最大的成分，并且是糊状食品的粘性行为，因此考虑使用纯净形式的淀粉。选择了四种天然淀粉，玉米（来自玉米），马铃薯，大米和小麦。