Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Measurement of Oil "Unsaturation" in Single Viable Corn Kernels

Abstract
High-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy has been used to demonstrate the feasibility of determining iodine value and average molecular weight of oil in individual corn kernels. The procedure is rapid and nondestructive. Depending on heritability of individual fatty acids, this technique may greatly increase selection efficiency in breeding programs to alter the fatty acid composition of corn oil.