Effect of median flour particle size on flour yield in Japanese common wheats

Abstract

Flour particle size distribution is a major factor affecting the milling behaviour in common wheats (Triticum aestivum L.). This study evaluated a new method to evaluate the milling behaviour of Japanese wheat varieties, and determine the relationship between flour yield and median flour particle size. To investigate the higher flour yielding varieties in Japanese wheats, the flour yield of one hundred sixty-five Japanese common wheat varieties were investigated in relation to median and mean flour particle size, and also, the flour particle size distribution patterns as determined by laser diffraction. The results showed that hard and soft wheat varieties differed in median flour particle size and particle distribution patterns. Eighty percent of the Japanese wheat varieties had soft or medium-soft particle size distribution patterns. Also, flour yield was most strongly associated with the median flour particle size in the flour samples. These results indicate the potential to develop a flour yield evaluation method in Japanese udon-noodle wheat varieties using laser diffraction methods, and that median flour particle size analysis could be a useful indicator in flour quality for udon-noodle wheat breeding and evaluation.