Quality of Canadian food-type soybeans 2020

Harvest samples

Through the Harvest Sample Program, the Canadian Grain Commission received 16 natto-type and 285 generic food-type soybean samples including 15 from Prairies, 185 from Ontario, 83 from Quebec and 2 from the Atlantic region. All samples were graded by Canadian Grain Commission inspectors and were Canada No.2 or higher.

Composite samples were prepared according to region as shown in Figure 1. All composite samples were analyzed for 100-seed weight, water absorption capacity/water uptake factor, protein, oil, sugar and total isoflavones content. Protein and oil content were determined using a Tecator Infratec 1241 Grain Analyzer near-infrared (NIR) spectrometer, which was calibrated and verified against the appropriate laboratory reference method. Sugars and isoflavones were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods. It is important to note that samples reported by grade do not necessarily represent the actual distribution of grade.

Figure 1 – Map of Canada showing origin of 2020 food-type soybean samples from Canadian Grain Commission’s Harvest Sample Program