THE KAFIR KERNEL. 



colored layer does not cover the germ but passes between it and the 

 endosperm, as is evidenced in the very highly colored kernels where 

 the germ is seen clearly through the bran by appearing lighter in color 

 than the endosperm. In a small proportion, possibly 1 per cent of 

 the kernels, this coloration was very pronounced. An extended study 

 of this color was not made, but in extracting ground kafir in a paper 

 capsule, both with ether and with chloroform, a red coloration was 

 noted upon the lower part of the capsule, and this coloring matter 

 was also noticeable in the solutions during the crude fiber determina- 

 tion. It was thought that this coloring matter might be associated 

 with tannin, but tests for this substance failed to show its presence. 

 Additional tests by the Pharmacognosy and Leather and Paper 

 Laboratories of this bureau confirmed these results. 



The next step in this work was the determination of the compo- 

 sition of the kafir kernel and of the various products into which it 

 had been separated by the method described above. It was found 

 that by grinding the endosperm in a small coffee mill a rough sepa- 

 ration of starchy and horny endosperm could be made. The mate- 

 rial was reground through the mill several times until it would all 

 pass a 20-mesh sieve; then the material that would pass a 40-mesh 

 sieve was called "starchy endosperm" (6), and the part that re- 

 mained on the 40-mesh sieve was called "horny endosperm" (7). 

 ^o. 6 was floury in appearance and No. 7 had the appearance of sand. 



An examination of sections of the seeds shows that the starchy 

 part lies in the center of the endosperm, surrounded on all sides by 

 the horny endosperm, except that it reaches the under side of the germ. 



The following samples were analyzed: 



(1) Sample of whole kafir. 



(2) Sample of whole kafir moistened and allowed to stand over 

 night, dried and ground for analysis in order to approximate but 

 somewhat intensify any changes which might be caused by the 

 moistening of the various parts. 



(3) Pure endosperm, as defined above. 



(4) Pure germ, as defined above. 



(5) Pure bran, as defined above. 



(6) Starchy endosperm, as defined above. 



(7) Horny endosperm, as defined above. 



Table II. — The composition of kafir and its various parts on a water-free basis. 



Sample. 



Per cent 



of whole 



kafir. 



Ash. 



Ether 

 extract. 



Crude 



protein 



(NX6.25). 



fiber - ! tract. 



Pento- 

 sans. 



Starch. 



(1) Whole kafir 



[2) Whole kafir mois- 

 tened and allowed 

 to stand over night. 



3) Pure endosperm . . 



4) Pure germ 



'5) Pure bran 



6) Starchy endo- 



100.0 



100.0 



83.9 

 10.0 



6.1 



35.0 

 48.9 



Per cent. 

 1.8 



1.7 



.3 



13.2 



2.0 



.3 

 .3 



Per cent. 

 4.1 



4.2 



.7 



31.5 



6.8 



.8 

 .7 



Per cent. 

 12.7 



12.7 

 12.7 

 19.3 



4.8 



10.1 

 13.7 



Percent. 

 1.8 



1.8 



.8 



3.8 



16.2 



.8 

 .7 



Per cent. 

 79.6 



79.6 

 85.5 

 32.2 

 70.2 



86. 5 

 83.8 



Per cent. 

 3.3 



3.8 



1.9 



6.1 



18.4 



1.9 

 1.6 



Per cent. 

 61.9 



63.2 

 69.3 





70.4 



7) Horny endosperm 



68.8 



