Commission Regulation (EC) No 900/2008 of 16 September 2008 laying down the methods of analysis and other technical provisions necessary for the application of the arrangements for imports of certain goods resulting from the processing of agricultural products (Codified version) (c. 900)

ANNEX I Determination of starch content and its degradation products including glucose

5. METHOD

5.1. The sample is digested in sodium hydroxide and the ‘starch’ subject to enzymatic hydrolysis

5.1.1. Select the weight of sample as follows, according to the presumed ‘starch’ content (the ‘starch’ content must not exceed 0,4 g per sample) as follows:

Presumed ‘starch’ content of product in g/100 g	Approximate weight of sample in g(p)	Volume of graduated flask in ml	Dilution factor up to 1 litre(f)
> 70	0,35-0,4	500	2
20-70	max. 0,5	500	2
5-20	max. 1	250	4
< 5	max. 2	200	5

5.1.2. Weigh the sample exactly to 0,1 mg.

5.1.3. Add 50 ml of 0,5 N sodium hydroxide solution (point 3.1) and stir continuously for 30 minutes in the water bath (point 4.1) with a magnetic stirrer at 60 °C.

5.1.4. Add a few ml of concentrated acetic acid (point 3.2) and bring the pH to 4,6 to 4,8.

5.1.5. Place in the water bath with the magnetic stirrer (point 4.1) at 60 °C, add 1,0 ml of enzyme solution (point 3.3) and allow to react whilst stirring continuously for 30 minutes.

5.1.6. After cooling, transfer quantitatively to a graduated flask (point 5.1.1) and make up to the mark with water.

5.1.7. If necessary, filter through a fluted filter (see Note 1).

5.2. Quantitative determination of glucose

5.2.1. The test solution must contain 100 to 1 000 mg of glucose per litre, which corresponds to a ΔΕ₃₄₀ of between 0,1 and 1,0.

The absorbence of the test solution in a 1 + 30 dilution with water must not exceed 0,4 (measured against air), at 340 nm.

5.2.2. Bring the buffer solution (point 3.4) to ambient temperature (20 °C).

5.2.3. The temperature of the reagents and of the sample must be between 20 and 25 °C.

5.2.4. Measure the absorbence at 340 nm against air (i.e. with no optical cell in the reference path).

5.2.5. Proceed in accordance with the pipetting chart below:

Pour into the optical cells	Control(ml)	Test(ml)
Buffer (reagent 3.4)	1,0	1,0
NADP (reagent 3.5)	0,1	0,1
ATP (reagent 3.6)	0,1	0,1
Test solution (5.1.6 or 5.1.7)	—	0,1
Double-distilled water	2,0	1,9
Mix and, after about three minutes, measure the absorbence of the solutions (E1). Initiate the reaction by adding:
HK/G6P.DH (reagent 3.7)	0,02	0,02
Mix, allow the reaction to proceed to completion (approximately 15 minutes) and measure the absorbence of the solutions (E2). If the reaction has not stopped after 15 minutes read absorbences at five-minute intervals until the rate of increase is constant. Then extrapolate backwards to the time of addition of suspension (referred to in point 3.7 (see Note 2).

5.2.6. Calculate the absorbence differences for reagent blank and sample (E₂ – E₁). Subtract absorbence difference of the reagent blank (ΔΕ reagent blank) from that of the sample (ΔΕ sample):

ΔΕ = ΔΕ_sample – ΔΕ_{reagent blank}

This difference gives the glucose content of the test solution:

Glucose content contained in test solution, g/l

Gl = ((3,22 × 180,16)/(6,3 × 1 × 0,1 × 1 000)) × ΔΕ₃₄₀ = 0,921 × ΔΕ₃₄₀

(3,22: volume of the solution to be measured; 1: cell thickness; 0,1: volume of the sample solution; the molecular weight of glucose is 180,16 (g/mol).

5.2.7. If, for any reason, a measurement cannot be made of 340 nm, the measurement may be made at a wavelength of 365 nm or 334 nm, in which case the figure 6,3 in the formula for Gl above should be replaced by the figure 3,5 or 6,18 respectively.