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Soybean Quality Traits or SQT is a result of the United Soybean Board and the American Oil Chemist Society (AOCS) working together to create a system of analytical verification. SQT provides a proficiency testing program (The Analytical Standards Program for wet chemistry and NIR). The SQT Analytical Standards program (ASP) meets the requirements of internationally accepted quality management standards. In addition to proficiency testing SQT works with members of industry and academia to validate
current methods of analysis and develop new methods of analysis to keep up with the advent of soybeans
with new compositional traits.
Now more than ever consumers are concerned about the composition of the products they purchase. As
Americans are becoming increasingly health conscious new varieties, such as lower saturated fat & low
linolenic varieties of beans, are being produced. It is vitally important to be able to detect the
presence of an enhanced trait in all stages of the continuum from breeder to consumer. SQT has been
working diligently to develop & implement new methods of analysis for compositionally enhanced
soybeans. Through this the SQT program will provide the infrastructure & information necessary to
create a valuable quality assurance scheme to guarantee analytical results & increase the trust in
soybeans with enhanced quality traits. When a laboratory uses SQT, comparison of results with a large
cross section of other laboratories performing the same analyses on the same samples promotes the
achievement & maintenance of peak levels of laboratory accuracy.
No. The SQT program is free courtesy of the United Soybean Board.
How will my laboratory benefit from participating in SQT? When a laboratory uses SQT, comparison of results with a large cross section of other laboratories performing the same analyses on the same samples promotes the achievement and maintenance of peak levels of laboratory accuracy. Regular analysis of check samples will help maintain quality control. Additionally, participation in SQT will provide the infrastructure and information necessary to
create a valuable quality assurance scheme to guarantee analytical results and increase the trust in
soybeans with enhanced quality traits.
What types of programs are offered? SQT offers proficiency testing for wet chemistry as well as NIR analysis.
Can I enroll in more than 1 SQT program? Yes! Enroll in one, two or all three.
When will I receive my samples? Samples are sent quarterly for all programs.
Sample results must be received at AOCS by the listed receive dates. Results received after the
deadline will not be added to the database and will be treated as missing data. Exceptions may be
made for extenuating circumstances only if a written explanation accompanies the late report. These
requests must be received within 30 days of receiving the reports for consideration. Results will
not be accepted after the results have been posted.
Results are reported online.
Please contact us and we will be glad to assist you.
Test results are reported to AOCS according to a predetermined schedule. Results are entered into a database and analyzed using internationally approved statistical guidelines. A confidential code is issued to each participant upon enrollment. Using only these codes, AOCS prepares statistical reports, which allow each analyst to compare his/her data with that from other participants. Analyst Deviation or z-value is reported on analyst deviations reports for all submitted test results. It is calculated as follows: Analyst Deviation (z-value) = Analyst Result (–) Mean/Standard Deviation The value for the analyst deviation is positive (+) when the result is reported by the analyst is greater than the mean, negative (-) when it is less than the mean. Analyst deviation values approaching zero from either the + or – indicate improving performance. Large analyst deviation values, + or – indicate poor performance. Combined Score is reported on proficiency reports. It is the mean of analyst deviations, or z-values. For all required results from each sample. It is calculated as follows: Combined Score = É? Analyst Deviation/É? Required Tests
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