Effect Of Grain Moisture Content Research Articles

玉米籽粒含水率及抗压特性对脱粒破碎率的影响研究

High breakage rate is the bottleneck that restricts corn grain mechanical harvesting in double-cropping area in China. The moisture content and compression resistance characteristics of corn grain have important effects on the breakage rate at threshing. In this paper, 5 corn varieties planted in double cropping area were selected and the effects of grain moisture content and compression resistance characteristics on threshed breakage rate were studied. Results showed that both the grains moisture content and the compression resistance characteristics had effects on the threshed breakage rate. The lower the moisture content, the greater the force required for breakage, and the more difficult it was to break. Meanwhile the breakage rate was also related to the displacement during pressing. The smaller the displacement, the lower the breakage rate, but if the displacement was too small, the corn was a silty variety and the breakage rate was still high. When the moisture content was 33%±1%, the threshing verification test showed that the average breakage rate of DH605, LY296 and KN21 was 5.39%, 5.02% and 7.13%, respectively, which was not suitable for grain mechanical harvesting under high moisture content (moisture content higher than 30%). However, the average breakage rate of LK868 and LD6018 was 4.76% and 4.25% respectively, which was suitable for grain mechanical harvesting under high moisture content. This research could provide a reference for corn varieties selection suitable for mechanical kernel harvesting in double cropping area.

Optimum of Grain Loss Sensors by Analyzing Effects of Grain Collision Attitude on Signal Characteristics

Grain loss rate is an important indicator to evaluate the performance of combine harvesters. It is indicted that signal voltage amplitude and signal frequency are the key factors for designing a grain loss sensor. In this work, the high-speed photography and signal high-speed acquisition technique were utilized to capture grain collision attitude and the corresponding collision signal characteristics and the effect of grain moisture content and collision angle on signal voltage amplitude and signal frequency was studied in detail, which lays a good foundation for optimizing grain loss signal processing circuit parameters. Then, monitoring resolution of the grain loss sensor was improved by adding constrained damping layer to the sensitive plate under the instruction of experimental modal analysis. At last, a field experiment was carried out; the field experiment results indicate that the monitoring performance improved.

Effect of Grain Moisture Content and Roller Mill Gap Size on Various Physical Properties of Yellow Dent Corn Flour

Corn has six main varieties grown globally for animal feed, human consumption, and commercial/industrial purposes. Flour is an end-product of corn dry-milling. Products that are derived from corn flour often show differences in physical, chemical, and pasting properties due to corn varietal differences, milling methods, differences in flour particle sizes, and drying temperatures. The study aimed to determine the effect of different moisture contents of yellow dent corn and roller gap sizes, on the physical properties of the resulting corn flour. The possibility to use the flour in the manufacturing of animal feed and ethanol production was also considered. Yellow dent corn grain with moisture contents (MC) of 8%, 14.0%, and 18%, and roller gap sizes (GAP) of 0.1016 mm, 0.2032 mm, and 0.3048 mm were used. The Witt corrugated roller mill equipment with rollers of 1/32 inches corrugations was used to produce fine grits and flours. The particle sizes obtained were between 0.54 mm and 0.75 mm which increased with an increase in MC and GAP. Grain with 8% MC and GAP of 0.1016 mm and 0.2032 mm, and grain with 14.0% MC and GAP of 0.1016 mm can produce flour of particle sizes good for swine feed. Grain with 8% MC and GAP of 0.3048 mm and grain with 14.0.0% MC and GAP of 0.1016 mm and 0.2032 mm can produce flour of particle sizes good for ruminant feed. Grain with 18% MC and GAP of 0.1016 mm, and grain with 14.0% MC and GAP of 0.2032 mm can produce flour of particle sizes good for poultry feed. GAP of 0.1016 mm and 8% MC can produce flour of particle sizes suitable for the ethanol production industry. Flour preparation should purposely be done based on grain MC and GAP. The geometric mean diameter of particle sizes ranged from 0.54 mm-0.75 mm, and the geometric mean diameter of particle sizes increased with increasing MC and GAP. Also, grains with 8% MC had the highest loss in flour, and the higher moisture of 18% significantly affected the red color of flour.

Effect of hydration on physical grain quality of durum wheat

AbstractBackground and objectivesMovement of moisture into dry grain can cause the grain to take on a weathered, bleached appearance. Bleaching is a concern for durum producers since the grain price is often discounted. A series of experiments were conducted to determine the effect of grain moisture content, temperature, and wet/dry cycles with bulk water and with high relative humidity on the hydration of durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. ssp. durum [Desf.] Husn.) grain and their effect on physical grain quality parameters related to bleaching.FindingsWater gain was greater for grain with low (13%) than high (17%) initial moisture content, which resulted in similar grain moisture contents (~30%) after 3 hr of soaking. At 24°C, there was more water uptake than at 5°C. Exposure to a single bulk water wet/dry cycle caused durum kernels to increase in width and caused a rough and wrinkled bran surface which resulted in a decline in test weight and vitreous kernel content and an increase in kernel size and brightness. A single high relative humidity event caused a reduction in vitreous kernel content and an increase in kernel size. Additional cycles of high relative humidity were needed to cause a reduction in test weight. Micrographs from scanning electron microscope and light microscope showed that the germ and ventral surface of grain were important sites for water absorption.ConclusionsInitial grain moisture, temperature, and wet/dry cycles affected water gain. A single exposure to moisture (bulk water or high relative humidity) was enough to cause a decline in physical grain quality.Significant and noveltyThese data confirm anecdotal stories from durum producers that a single moisture event can cause bleaching and reduce grain quality and value.

Effect of grain moisture content on physical, mechanical, and bulk dynamic behaviour of maize

Variations in the moisture content (MC) of grains strongly influence machine performance analysis during crop harvesting and post-harvest grain handling operations. For experimental or numerical methods such as discrete element method (DEM) technique to include the effect of MC on physical and mechanical properties, comprehensive study was conducted to investigate the effect of maize MC on single kernel properties and bulk grain dynamic responses, which have relevance for DEM crop model calibration. Individual kernel properties of shape, size, coefficient of restitution, and stiffness, and bulk material responses of bulk density, angle of repose, direct shear test (angle of internal friction, apparent cohesion), hopper flowability, and grain-machine interaction (GMI) impact plate forces responses were measured on maize samples at 11%, 16%, and 26% MC levels. At individual particle responses of coefficient of restitution and stiffness, maize kernels at MC of 26% had significantly the lowest values compared to the values at the other MC (11% and 16%). Increasing maize MC reduced the hopper discharge flowability by 20% and GMI impact plate forces by 25%. Significant effects of MC on the material behaviours should be considered for calibration of DEM maize models.

Effect of Grain Moisture Content on Popping Yield of Sorghum Genotypes

This paper aimed at providing popping characteristics of different red and white sorghum genotypes according to different moisture content at traditional methods of popping using high temperature for a short time (HTST). To increasing grain moisture level, seven sorghum genotypes - mutant and hybrid lines (M1(6282), 16113, 16121, 1641, 1643, 1651, 1673) were soaked to 0, 60, 120 and 180 min in distilled water. The popping rate and expansion ratio were recorded. The results showed that conventional method of popping is a good main to produce pops sorghum after increasing moisture of grains. Moistening of grains from 13-16 % increased 5.3-10.2% popping rate of all sorghum genotypes. The mutant line M1(6282) with red coloration of pericarp had the highest popping rate and expansion ratio at 16% moisture i.e. 85% and 3.88 %, respectively. There was correlation between diameter of grains and parameters expansion ratio (from 0.604 to 0.724), popping rate (from 0.815 to 0.878) and moisture grains (from 0.815 to 0.878).

Effects of Grain Moisture Content on Mechanical Grain Harvesting Quality of Summer Maize

Effects of Grain Moisture Content on Mechanical Grain Harvesting Quality of Summer Maize

Effect of grain moisture content during milling on pasting profile and functional properties of amaranth fractions.

Evaluation of functional properties of milled fractions of grain amaranth may be useful to decide the end uses of the grain. Hence, pasting profiles of amaranth fractions obtained by milling the grains at different moisture contents were studied in relation with their starch profile and also with their swelling power and solubility indices. It was observed that, for flour fraction, the viscosity parameters were lowest at 14-16% moisture content. Swelling power and solubility indices of the samples varied as a function of grain moisture content. The middling fraction also showed similar pasting pattern with the variation of grain moisture content. The seed coat fractions showed higher gelatinization temperature compared to that of fine flour and middling fractions. However, starch content of the fine seed coat fraction was comparable with that of the flour and middling fractions. The coarse seed coat fraction showed lower viscosity parameters than the other samples. Viscosity parameters correlated well among themselves while, they did not show significant correlation with the starch content. However, the viscosity parameters showed negative correlation with the soluble amylose content. The study revealed that, the fractions obtained by milling the grains at different moisture content show differential pasting profiles and functional properties.

Stored Grain Pack Factors for Wheat: Comparison of Three Methods to Field Measurements

Storing grain in bulk storage units results in grain packing from overbearing pressure, which increases grain bulk density and storage unit capacity. This study compared pack factors of hard red winter (HRW) wheat in vertical storage bins using different methods: the existing packing model (WPACKING), the USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) method, and the USDA Farm Service Agency Warehouse Licensing and Examination Division (FSA-W) method. Grain bins containing HRW wheat were measured in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. Packing was measured in corrugated steel bins and reinforced concrete bins with diameters ranging from 4.6 to 31.9 m (15.0 to 104.6 ft) and equivalent level grain heights ranging from 4.1 to 41.6 m (13.4 to 136.6 ft). The predicted masses of compacted stored wheat based on WPACKING, RMA, and FSA-W were compared to the reported mass from scale tickets. Pack factors predicted by WPACKING ranged from 0.929 to 1.073 for steel bins and from 0.986 to 1.077 for concrete bins. Pack factors predicted by the RMA method ranged from 0.991 to 1.157 for steel bins and from 0.993 to 1.099 for concrete bins. Pack factors predicted by the FSA-W method ranged from 0.985 to 1.126 for steel bins and from 1.012 to 1.101 for concrete bins. The average absolute and median differences between the WPACKING-predicted mass and reported mass were 1.64% and -1.26%, respectively, for corrugated steel bins and 3.75% and 2.16%, respectively, for concrete bins. In most cases, WPACKING underpredicted the mass in corrugated steel bins and overpredicted the mass in concrete bins. Comparison of the RMA-predicted mass and reported mass showed an average absolute difference of 4.41% with a median difference of 1.91% for HRW wheat in steel bins and an average absolute difference of 3.25% with a median difference of 1.03% for concrete bins. For the FSA-W-predicted mass versus reported mass, the average absolute and median differences were 3.40% and 3.86%, respectively, for steel bins and 4.34% and 3.50%, respectively, for concrete bins. Most of the mass values were overpredicted by both the RMA and FSA-W methods. Some of the large differences observed for concrete bins can be attributed to the unique geometry of these bins and the difficulty in describing these bin shapes mathematically. Overall, compared to the reported mass, WPACKING predicted the mass of grain in the bins with less error than the current RMA and FSA-W methods. Some of the differences may be because the RMA and FSA-W methods do not include the effects of grain moisture content, bin wall type, and grain height on pack factors.

Effect of Harvesting Time on Grain Yield, Yield Components, and Some Qualitative Properties of Four Maize Hybirds

A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of harvest time on yield, yield components, and some qualitative properties of grain corn based on grain moisture content at Khorramabad Agricultural Research Station in 2010. The experimental design was a split plot based on RCBD with four replications. The investigated factors consisted of grain moisture, content at harvest time (20%, 30%, and 40%), and four maize hybrids (NS 640, Konsur 580, Jeta 600, and control SC 704). The results showed that the effect of grain moisture content at harvest time was significant on 400- grain weight, hectoliter weight, and grain electrical conductivity (EC) traits. The greatest electrical conductivity (551 μs/cm/g) was obtained for 40% grain moisture at harvest time. The highest 400-grain weight (103.01 g) and hectoliter weight (0.77 g/cm 3 ) was obtained at the grain moisture content of 20%. The effect of hybrid was significant on all the investigated traits. NS 640 hybrid had the highest yield (8722.50 Kg/ha). Moreover, results suggested that suitable grain harvest time for the maize hybrids was after grain physiological maturity when grains reached 20% moisture content.

Effect of roasting on rheological and functional properties of sorghum flour

In this study, the effect of grain moisture content (12-20%), temperature (140-180 ℃), and time (5-15 min) of roasting on the quality attributes of sorghum grain was studied. The response functions were rheological attributes of powder flowability, color, water absorption capacity, and sensory acceptability. These response functions could be correlated (r ≥ 0.91, p ≤ 0.01) with the independent variables by second order polynomials. Higher temperature and longer roasting time had a detrimental effect on color and sensory acceptability of product. An increase in moisture content of grain induced lower cohesion characteristics in the flour as evidenced by less energy for compression. Raw sorghum flour exhibited highest peak viscosity of 297 BU compared to only 32-71 BU for roasted samples. Roasted sorghum flour exhibited less shear-thinning phenomenon compared to raw sample, and was more stable towards retrogradation. Optimum condition for maximum sensory acceptability was achieved with a grain moisture content of 16-20% and temperature 161-179 ℃ for 12 min of roasting.

English

The effect of grain moisture content on toxicity of silica dust against adult populations ofProstephanus truncatus and Sitophilus zeamais was investigated at 8.6, 13.7, 14.1, 15.4 and 17% moisture content levels of maize grains. Concentration levels of 0.25 to 50 mg/50 g maize grains were tested against P. truncatus and 0.25 to 7 mg/50 g maize grains for S. zeamais. The LC50 of the silica dust increased with increase in moisture content. P. truncatus was more tolerant to silica dust at all levels tested ranging from 0.25 to 50 mg/50 g compared to S. zeamais with lower levels of 0.25 to 7 mg/50 g. Both insect species were able to survive at low moisture content level of 11% for 7 days with a survival rate of 89% for P. truncatus and 27% forS. zeamais without food indicating that mortality recoded was not influenced by relative humidity but silica dust activity. For P. truncatus, the highest mortality of 95% was at 8 mg/50 g and 13.6% grain moisture content whereas for S. zeamais the same was 96% at 2.25 mg/50 g and 8.6%. The results are discussed in relation to the possible use of silica dust for the control of the two insect species as an alternative to insecticides.   Key words: Stored product insect pests, maize, relative humidity, silica dust, control.

Effect of grain moisture content and storage time on efficacy of inert and botanical dusts for the control of Sitophilus zeamais in stored maize

The effect of grain moisture content and time of storage on the efficacy of inert and botanical dusts, conventional and bacterial metabolite insecticides were evaluated in the laboratory. Maize grains at 10, 12, 14 and 16% moisture content were admixed with inert powder (diatomaceous earth Kensil Superfine®), maize cob and bean trash ashes, and botanical (neem seed cake powder) at a dose rate of 0.9% w/w. Actellic Super® and Spintor® dusts applied at the recommended rate of 50 g/90 kg grain and diatomaceous earth Dryacide® at 0.9% w/w were included as positive controls. Untreated maize grain served as the negative control. Thirty (30) unsexed two –week-old Sitophilus zeamais Motsch. adults were introduced in the treated maize. The treatments were replicated four times and held undisturbed for 14 days at ambient conditions (26 ± 2°C and 67 ± 3% r.h.), after which mortality was assessed. Results showed that grain moisture content significantly (p<0.05) affected efficacy of grain protectants and superior control was achieved when it did not exceed 12% for inert dusts and 14% for pesticides. For the evaluation of the effect of time of storage, 4 kg maize grain were admixed with each treatment except for Spintor® dust, maize cob ash, neem seed cake powder as described earlier and put into the 5 kg capacity hessian baglets, replicated four times. Untreated grain acted as the control. Adult S. zeamais (population of 1500) were put in the plastic Petri dish and left to infest the baglets naturally. The potency of the protectants began to wane significantly (p<0.05) after 6 months. Dryacide® followed by Kensil Superfine® dusts performed better than Actellic Super® with the grain weight loss of 2 and 4%, respectively, over a period of 9 months. The study demonstrates that Superfine® dust has the potential but should be further evaluated on – farm, for the control of storage insect pests and serve as another stored products protectant option. Key words: Sitophilus zeamais, inert dusts, natural dusts, actellic super, stored maize.

Evaluation of Wheat Bran Obtained by Tangential Abrasive Dehulling Device

A tangential abrasive dehulling device (TADD) was used to evaluate debranning properties of wheat grain and obtain grain fractions enriched in antioxidants. Effect of grain moisture content and abrasion time on the chemical composition and antioxidant capacity of the fractions were examined. Whole wheat, bran from a quadrumat senior mill, and a commercial aleurone sample were used as references. Total phenolic content (TPC), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging capacity of the TADD bran extracts were determined and compared to those of the reference materials and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). TADD bran fraction obtained at original grain moisture level, 11%, and short abrasion time, 1 min, had the highest ORAC value among the samples examined in this study. Only the sample obtained at 11% moisture level and 1 min abrasion time had similar ORAC, TPC, and DPPH values that are similar to those of the commercial aleurone despite the big difference in their starch content. The effect of grain moisture, abrasion time, and moisture × abrasion time interaction had significant effects on the chemical composition and antioxidant capacity of the fractions. This study demonstrated that TADD was very effective in producing wheat grain fractions with high antioxidant content.

Effect of Moisture Content on Pitting and Milling Efficiency of Pigeon Pea Grain

Pitting is a premilling operation in which pigeon pea grain is passed through a dehulling machine quickly to crack the hull or partly dehull the grain. A study was conducted to investigate the effect of grain moisture content on pigeon pea hull during pitting. Pitting of the grain was done at 6%, 8%, 10%, 12%, and 14% moisture contents using dhal mill developed by Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Bhopal (India). Grains having a cracked hull or partly dehulled during pitting varied from 35.3% to 85.3% with maximum value at 10% moisture content and reduced with an increase in moisture content. Maximum finished product in the form of dehulled whole (gota) and dehulled splits (dhal) was also obtained at 10% moisture content. Pitted grains of pigeon pea were treated with 0.28% cottonseed oil to study the effect of moisture content and pitting on dehulling efficiency, which was maximum (86.7%) at 10% moisture content.

EFFECTS OF MOISTURE AND FINE MATERIAL ON STATIC PRESSURE DROPS IN A BED OF GRAIN SORGHUM AND ROUGH RICE

Static pressure drops across columns of grain sorghum and rough rice were measured to determine the effects of grain moisture content, fine material, and airflow rate on airflow resistance. For grain sorghum, five levels of moisture content (12.0%, 13.5%, 15.0%, 16.5%, and 18.5% w.b.) and four levels of fine material (0%, 2%, 4%, and 8% by weight) were investigated with airflow rates ranging from 0.03 to 0.17 m 3 /m 2 s. For rough rice, four levels of moisture content (11.8%, 15.2%, 17.4%, and 19.5% w.b.) and four levels of fine material (0%, 1%, 3%, and 5%) were considered with airflow rates ranging from 0.05 to 0.38 m 3 /m 2 s. For both grains, airflow rate was the most significant factor affecting the static pressure drop. The static pressure drop decreased with increasing moisture content for both grains. However, the fine material content had a positive relation to the static pressure drop for grain sorghum but a negative relation for rough rice, possibly because of the large particle size of fine material in the rough rice sample. For both grains, the statistical model SP = a(Q) + b(Q)2 + c(Q)(mc) + d(Q)(fm) — where SP is static pressure drop; Q is airflow; mc is moisture content; fm is fine material content; and a, b, c, and d are constants — adequately described the relationship among static pressure drop, airflow, grain moisture content, and fine material with an R 2 = 0.997.

The effect of grain moisture content and temperature on the efficacy of diatomaceous earths from different geographical locations against stored-product beetles

Source of diatomaceous earth (DE), insect species, grain moisture content, temperature, method of application and duration of exposure were all factors that influenced the mortality of stored-product insects. In all tests, regardless of the insect species, or source of DE, the lower the moisture content of grain, the greater the mortality. DEs from different geographical locations had different efficacies. The ranking of the different DEs remained similar at different moisture–temperature combinations. However, the mortality response with respect to moisture content did change among DEs from different sources for Sitophilus oryzae (L.), but not for Tribolium castaneum (Herbst). Of all the insects tested, Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens) was the most sensitive to DE. Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.) and S. oryzae were more tolerant than C. ferrugineus. Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) and T. castaneum were the most tolerant species tested. Applying DE as a dust was more effective than applying DE as an aqueous spray. For C. ferrugineus, lower temperatures reduced DE efficacy. The opposite was true for T. castaneum, as lower temperatures increased efficacy for most DEs tested. For S. oryzae some DEs had increased efficacy with lower temperatures and others had decreased efficacy with lower temperatures.

A Simulation Model of Wheat Harvesting and Drying in Northern Australia

A simulation model of a conventional wheat harvesting and drying system was developed to examine the effect of many variables on the total cost of wheat production in northern Australia. The effect of grain moisture content at harvest and machinery capacities on the overall system cost was studied in detail. The results show that maximum return is obtained when grain is harvested at moisture contents of 15 to 19% wet basis, then artificially dried. The optimum harvest moisture content depends on crop area and the capacity of harvesting machinery. The effect of maturity date, spread of maturity, grain losses and operational strategies on production costs are discussed. The results of this investigation are specific to wheat, but the general conclusions apply to other cereal and legume crops.

The effect of grain moisture content on the toxicity of a sorptive silica dust to four species of grain beetle

The toxicity of a sorptive silica dust in samples of whole wheat to adult populations of S. granarius, T. castaneum, C. pusillus and O. surinamensis was assessed at grain moisture contents between 9.4 and 18.7%. The tolerance of these species to the dust treatments was found to increase with increasing moisture content and to be unrelated to their relative abilities to survive short periods at low relative humidities when provided with food.

Static Pressure Drop in a Fixed Bed of Grain as Affected by Grain Moisture Content

ABSTRACT DROPS in static pressure across columns of corn, sorghum, and wheat at various moisture contents were measured to determine the effect of grain moisture content at filling on resistance to airflow. Resistance to airflow decreased with increased grain moisture. The square of the correlation coefficient, R2, between the static pressure drops calculated by using a model and values measured experimentally were 0.99 for all grain tested. This means that the model fit very well with the experiment data. The result of this study enhances our knowledge about the effects of at-filling grain moisture content on the static pressure drop in grain and should help designers of high moisture-grain-aeration systems.