ABSTRACT
Ash content of flour A perfect milling process would separate the starchy endosperm comprising approximately 80-86% of the kernel from the bran and germ (see Figure 2.1 in Chapter 2). The efficiency depends on how closely this objective is achieved. Figure 3.1 illustrates the separation process and Figure 3.2 shows how much each botanical fraction contributes to the total dry mass. In order to obtain a measure of the efficiency, the traditional method has been to measure the ash content of the flour. Ash content is determined by combustion of the flour in a high-temperature furnace to vaporize the organic constituents, leaving an inorganic residue: the ash or minerals.
