MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGE ANALYSIS TO EXPLAIN MOISTURE MOVEMENT DURING WHEAT DRYING

Abstract

Two-dimensional (2D) spin-echo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to explain the moisture movementin single wheat kernels prior to and during drying. Drying was performed at temperatures of 40C and 50C using heatedN2 gas at a velocity of 0.23 m/s. Individual wheat kernels of 20% to 64% moisture content (wet mass basis) were dried to studythe moisture movement inside the kernel during drying. MR images were recorded at equal time intervals during drying.Moisture distribution and transfer were analyzed from MR images of wheat kernels obtained before and during drying.Moisture distribution was non-uniform at an equilibrium state prior to drying. Further, moisture loss from the seed partsdiffered significantly during drying. The MR images were used to obtain the drying rates and patterns of water in wheat kernelsduring the drying process. Influence of grain parts on the moisture distribution was also studied using mechanically scarifiedkernels and germ-removed kernels.