Sample preparation unit

The sprout damage testing apparatus of the present invention includes a housing with a mixing cup for receiving a grain sample therein. A first tank supplies a first reagent through a conduit to the mixing cup and a mixer mixes the first reagent and sample within the mixing cup. A drain tube drains the mixture from the mixing cup to a reactor vessel, where a heater warms the contents within the reactor vessel. A viscosity sensor includes a blade mounted within the reactor vessel to mix the contents of the vessel while measuring viscosity thereof. The sensor includes a transmitter for transmitting data relative to the viscosity of the mixture to a central control apparatus, for recording. A drain pipe extends from a drain in the vessel and includes a pump for placing a vacuum on the drain to exhaust the contents of the vessel. A second conduit extends from a second tank with a second reagent therein, which is dispensed within the reactor vessel to dissolve the mixture and enhance the drainage thereof. A third conduit extends from a third tank and sprays a third reagent into the vessel to clean the vessel. Operable valves are connected to the central control apparatus and are located in the various conduits and drain pipes and drain tubes to selectively dispense reagent and drain the sample cup and reactor vessel. The method for determining damage to grain of the present invention includes placing a weighed sample of grain into a mixing cup and thence adding a reagent to the sample and mixing the two components. Once the components are blended, they are transferred to a heated reactor vessel to activate enzyme activity in the grain. A viscosity sensor mixes the mixture while periodically determining the viscosity thereof and recording the viscosity. Once the mixture has reached the maximum viscosity, the viscosity is recorded and the contents of the reactor vessel are drained therefrom.