Moisture Content Of Grain Research Articles

Detection of moisture of flowing grain with a novel deep learning structure using 2D spectrogram data

In order to preserve the stored grain for a long time without deterioration, the moisture content must be accurately known. In this study, the moisture content of flowing grain was determined using radar spectrogram data and CNN structure. A free-space measurement technique-based experimental environment was established for the purpose of collecting the necessary signals to measure the moisture content. The measurement plant is composed of two horn antennas, a vector network analyzer (VNA), and a flowing grain mechanism. In the experimental environment, the S11 and S21 parameter values are recorded from the VNA. The short-time Fourier transforms (STFT) of the recorded signals were then taken, and 2D spectrogram images were created. The dataset, comprising 22,780 images, was split into 80 % for training and 20 % for testing; then, they were subjected to regression analysis using CNNs. First, the mean absolute error (MAE) values of the 27 pre-trained CNN architectures in a single epoch are calculated. Subsequently, the architecture with the best four regression results is automatically selected. The training and testing steps are performed independently for each selected architecture, and the results are recorded. The MAE, root mean square error (RMSE), mean square error (MSE) and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) metrics are employed to assess the efficacy of the CNN architectures. Among these, ResNet50 is the architecture that yields the most favorable results. Subsequently, a subsequent architecture with fewer parameters and a more expeditious processing time is proposed. The novel deep-learning CNN architecture demonstrated superior performance compared to the pre-trained architectures. The results are as follows: MAE = 0.0411, MSE = 0.0149, RMSE = 0.122, and MAPE = 0.0397. When comparing the time spent on training and testing, the least time-consuming architecture required approximately 72 min, whereas this study was completed in approximately 325 s. The pronounced disparity is readily apparent. The results demonstrate that when the CNN is appropriately modeled and trained, the combination of CNN and appropriate signal processing can effectively determine the moisture content of grains.

Germinated VD20 rice – a local rice variety in Vietnam: Effect of process conditions

Rice is one of important staple foods, which mainly consumed by human in daily life. One of the methods which could enhance the nutritional profile as well as functional of rice is germination process. VD20 rice, a local rice from Tien Giang province (Vietnam), was used in this study. This investigation was aimed to study the effect of ratio of rice to soaking solution (1:1-1:3), pH of soaking solution (distilled water, pH = 3-5), and time of soaking (3-6 hours) on the germination rate, moisture content of grain and total polyphenol content of germinated rice. Besides that, the impact of germination conditions, including incubation time (16-22 hours) and temperature (31-37oC), on the quality of germinated rice was also elucidated. The obtained results showed the ratio of soaking water to rice is 2.5:1 for the highest polyphenol content and germination rate. The longer the soaking time, the polyphenol content gradually decreases but the germination rate gradually increases over time. Soaking solutions with a pH of 4 for 6 hours were the most apporiate conditions for soaking VD20 rice. During the germination process, temperature and incubation time significant affected the polyphenol content and germination rate. At a temperature of 37℃ for 20 hours, the polyphenol content was highest (33.85 mgGAE/100 g) and gradually decreases with incubation time, but the germination rate gradually increases. Germination process of VD20 enhance the nutrional quality of rice, which could be seen in the increasing of phenolic compounds content. However, it also affected by various factors, as know as, soaking conditions and incubation conditions, which could further study to ultilize and optimize. The obtained product also have the promising application as the nutraceutical food.

Analysis of the State of Moisture Control to Ensure and Regulate the Quality of Grain and Grain Products

The article discusses the methods for determining the maturity of grain and describes its behavior during harvesting, to optimize the selection of the grain moisture state, discusses the requirements for the choice of measurement method and the design of moisture control measuring devices, as well as its high accuracy and the possibility of measuring from field conditions, collection, storage, transportation, and industrial processing and release of finished products of granular materials. The purpose of the study is to improve the efficiency of control and management of complex technological processes and moisture control devices for granular bulk materials of plant origin through the development of systems for automatic and automated control of the electrophysical characteristics of grain products and to increase the reliability of quantitative and qualitative assessments of production and technological measurement information. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to conduct analytical and experimental studies of the possibility of creating an express method for controlling the moisture content of grain and products of their industrial processing and the development of a moisture meter for automated control of raw material parameters during acceptance and storage at grain processing enterprises. The article discusses the scientific and methodological foundations for measuring the electrophysical characteristics of grain products of agricultural production and the implementation on this basis of the functional subsystem of information support by the Automated Process Control System for Controlling the Mass Ratio of Moisture of Plant Origin Materials. A critical analysis of the current state of the theory and practice of automatic control of electrophysical characteristics of grain products and the identification of the trend of their further development and improvement are carried out. A mathematical model of the interaction of a high-frequency field with a granular material has been constructed, where the influence of the elastic properties of the grain on the electrical characteristics of the electromagnetic wave, which distinguishes its behavior in the field of a high-frequency wave from many other dielectrics, has been substantiated, and the influence of a large number of various disturbing factors has been studied, often the measurement results cannot be applied in the control of the technological process due to the uneliminated error, which is the cause of inaccurate information. Primary measuring transducers of electrophysical parameters of grain products are proposed, and their mathematical models are considered. A functional scheme of the measuring device based on the dielcometric method of moisture control of grain and granular materials has been developed, and metrological characteristics have been given.

Design and simulation of capacitive sensor for grain moisture detection

The high moisture content of grain would result in quality deteriorations such as mold and mildew during storage and transportation. For effective detection of grain moisture, a forked-finger capacitive sensor in the form of triangular prism is proposed. The effect of the sensor structural parameters on its capacitance, electric field distribution, sensitivity and penetration depth are investigated using finite element simulations. The results show that an optimised effective penetration depth of 2.73 mm for grain moisture detection can be achieved when the finger width, number, length and spacing are 50 μm, 25.4 mm and 50 μm, respectively. This work may provide a new approach for the structural design of capacitive grain moisture sensors.

The Design and Experimentation of a Corn Moisture Detection Device Based on Double Capacitors.

Detecting the moisture content of grain accurately and rapidly has important significance for harvesting, transport, storage, processing, and precision agriculture. There are some problems with the slow detection speeds, unstable detection, and low detection accuracy of moisture contents in corn harvesters. In that case, an online moisture detection device was designed, which is based on double capacitors. A new method of capacitance complementation and integration was proposed to eliminate the limitation of single data. The device is composed of a sampling mechanism and a double-capacitor sensor consisting of a flatbed capacitor and a cylindrical capacitor. The optimum structure size of the capacitor plates was determined by simulation optimization. In addition to this, the detection system with software and hardware was developed to estimate the moisture content. Indoor dynamic measurement tests were carried out to analyze the influence of temperature and porosity. Based on the influencing factors and capacitance, a model was established to estimate the moisture content. Finally, the support vector machine (SVM) regressions between the capacitance and moisture content were built up so that the R2 values were more than 0.91. In the stability test, the standard deviation of the stability test was 1.09%, and the maximum relative error of the measurement accuracy test was 1.22%. In the dynamic verification test, the maximum error of the measurement was 4.62%, less than 5%. It provides a measurement method for the accurate, rapid, and stable detection of the moisture content of corn and other grains.

Studying the Influence of Moisture Content in Grain on the Efficiency of the Microwave Field Transfer into a Grain Layer with the Use of a Computer Model

The objective of these studies was to determine the dependence of the distribution of the microwave field into a grain layer and the efficiency of energy transfer from the magnetron into the grain layer, via a waveguide, on the moisture content. The subject of the research was a semicircular waveguide with slot radiators that supply a microwave field to the grain surrounding the waveguide. The change in the directional diagram of the microwave field in the longitudinal direction of the waveguide was studied using CST Microwave Studio 2019 software. It was found that the change in the moisture content of the processed grain leads to a significant change in both the radiation and total efficiency values of the waveguide. For instance, the radiation efficiency of the waveguide decreases by 15.1% (from 68.729 dB to 58.294 dB) when the moisture content of the processed grain increases from 14% to 26%. The total radiation efficiency also decreases (from 11.27 dB to 21.7 dB). In this case, not only the value of the radiation efficiency but also the shape of its dependence on the magnetron radiation frequency change. The results of this study enable the formulation of a requirement for a selective approach to the alignment of emitting waveguides depending on the moisture content of the processed grain. Data were obtained on the change in the Q-factor for resonators in which grain layers are processed, depending on the variation in grain moisture content. The research results suggest that when designing microwave convective zones for grain processing, the quality factor of the resonator should not be considered as the primary parameter. The main focus should be on maximizing the radiation efficiency of the waveguides.

Dependence of the grain filling intensity and moisture-yielding ability on valuable economic features in corn

Purpose. To analyze the dependence of the corn grain filling intensity and moisture-yielding ability of corn grain on morphological and economic characteristics in each ripeness group of corn lines.
 Material and Methods. The study was carried out in the Laboratory of Introduction and Preservation of Plant Genetic Resources and the Laboratory of Corn Breeding and Seed Production of the Yuriev Plant Production Institute of NAAS in 2017-2019. The accessions were sown by the standard method in two-row plots of 9.8 m2 in three replications. The reference accessions were placed after every 20 plots: early ripening - F2 line; medium-early – UKh 52; medium-ripening - DS 103, UKhS 126, and SO 125; medium-late - А 619, Kharkivska 215, and KhА 408. During the growing period, the accessions were evaluated in the field 24 times for typicality. In the laboratory, the grain moisture was determined thermogravimetrically four times for each line during its ripening period, every ten days, starting on day 30 after pollination. For comparison, the moisture content in grain was also determined in the field using an AVD 6100 needle moisture meter for wood.
 Results and Discussion. Lines with the maximum yield of moisture per day were selected: six medium-early lines (LPL 79 A, UKhK 5, UChS 85, UKhK 590, UChS 85, SL 73-85-2 (Ukraine), СО 190 (Canada), and B 267 (Russia)), 24 medium-ripening lines (of them, 20 lines were bred in Ukraine; one line is from Russia (B 321), and three lines are from the USA (W 83, A 619, and B 143)), and 25 medium-late lines (20 Ukrainian lines (UKhK 472, KhLH 78, LNAU 18, ОV 1248, UKh 804, and others), two Russian lines, 1 Kazakhstanian line, and 1 line from the USA). We noted the dependences of the grain filling intensity, moisture release during ripening, and grain drying rate on morphobiological and so-called "specific" characteristics (peduncle length, sheath number, density of sheath adhesion to the ear, grain consistency). Corn lines with intensive grain filling and a set of valuable economic features were distinguished.
 Having studied inbred corn lines, we found a strong positive correlation between dry matter accumulation and performance (r = 0.90) and moderate positive correlations between dry matter accumulation and kernel number per ear (r = 0.45), between dry matter accumulation and plant height (r = 0.40), and between dry matter accumulation and ear attachment height (r = 0.39).
 Conclusions. The best lines were selected in each group of ripeness according to the intensity of moisture egress from grain and valuable economic characteristics. In the medium-early group, eight best lines were selected. However, only 6 lines had good economic characteristics. Most of the medium-early lines were superior to the reference accession, UKh 52, in terms of performance and thousand kernel weight. In the medium-ripening group, 24 best lines were selected in comparison with UChS 126 (reference accession).

Evaluating the collection of maize inbred lines originating from Primorsky Krai

Background. The modern breeding of maize hybrids for high heterosis pays considerable attention to the creation of new starting material, i. e. inbred lines. Their genetic potential depends primarily on the quality of forms used in self-pollination, on the selection and evaluation of progeny aimed at achieving the homozygosity of economically important traits.Methods. The study on maize inbred lines was carried out by the Laboratory of the Breeding and Breeder Seed Production of Maize in an experimental field plot at FSBSI «FSC of Agricultural Biotechnology of the Far East named after A.K. Chaika». A standard method was employed, which included the self-pollination and selection of lines for a complex of economically important traits over several years to achieve homozygosity.Results. The research resulted in the selection of genotypes that combined high yield with a low moisture content in grain at harvest maturity PK 160, PK 139, PK 65, and PK 155. We identified sources of such economically important traits as the height of plants and cobs (PK 26, PK 36, PK 39, PK 42, PK 55, PK 78, and PK 181), cob length (PK 55, PK 57, PK 58, PK 65, PK 69, PK 153, PK 155, PK 160, PK 164, and PK 175), cob weight (PK 160, PK 65, PK 155, PK 139, and PK 52), the number of grains per cob (PK 42, PK 52, and PK 65), grain weight per cob (PK 65, PK 155, and PK 160), the 1000 kernel weight (PK 160, PK 175, PK 181, PK 139, and PK 65), and a high general combining ability (PK 58, PK 124, PK 176, PK 1/3, and PK 3). The selected accessions will be involved in a breeding program to create highly heterotic maize hybrids.

Effect of Storage Containers on Nutritional Qualitiy of Indegenous Scented Rice (cv. Gobindabhog)

A storage study was done during 2010-11 and 2011-12 at Rice Laboratory, Department of Agronomy, BCKV, Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal, India. The change in mean relative humidity over two years from 71.2 (2-month) to 82.2% (6-month) in the laboratory experiments probably caused a slight increasing trend in moisture content in grain irrespective of storage container used in the study. The variation in material of the containers including their temperature sensitivity, porosity, etc. influenced the moisture content of whole paddy grains at different storage period during both 2011 and 2012. Among containers (viz. Gunny bag, Polythene bag, Cloth bag, Earthen pot and Galvanized iron (GI) bin), earthen pot recorded lowest moisture content than other four tested in the experiment. The physical properties of grain (viz. kernel length, kernel breadth, L / B ratio, shape, colour, etc.) did not differ significantly among five storage containers during the ageing or storage period. On an average, the protein content in the Gobindabhog rice grain remained largely unchanged during entire 6-month storage time, but amylose content improved slightly upto 4-month, and alkali value and elongation ratio upto 6-month period including non-significant variations among the containers in the experiment. There was a steady decrease in intensity of aroma of Gobindabhog rice during post-harvest storage from 2-month to 6-month period irrespective of container used in the study. The average aroma score over containers after 2-month storage (score 2.53 ± 0.18) declined by 13.83% after 4-month (score 2.18 ± 0.06) and 29.64% after 6-month (score 1.78 ± 0.37). Among storage containers, earthen pot performed best for retention of aroma while jut-made gunny bag appeared unfit for long-term storage of Gobindabhog paddy with respect to grain quality parameters, especially aroma.

Estimating Maize Maturity by Using UAV Multi-Spectral Images Combined with a CCC-Based Model

Measuring maize grain moisture content (GMC) variability at maturity provides an essential piece of information for the formulation of maize harvesting sequences and the applications of precision agriculture. Canopy chlorophyll content (CCC) is an important parameter that describes crop growth, photosynthetic rate, health, and senescence. The main goal of this study was to estimate maize GMC at maturity through CCC retrieved from multi-spectral UAV images using a PROSAIL model inversion and compare its performance with GMC estimation through simple vegetation indices (VIs) approaches. This study was conducted in two separate maize fields of 50.3 and 56 ha located in Hailun County, Heilongjiang Province, China. Each of the fields was cultivated with two maize varieties. One field was used as reference data for constructing the model, and the other field was applied to validate. The leaf chlorophyll content (LCC) and leaf area index (LAI) of maize were collected at three critical stages of crop growth, and meanwhile, the GMC of maize at maturity was also obtained. During the collection of field data, a UAV flight campaign was performed to obtain multi-spectral images from two fields at three main crop growth stages. In order to calibrate and evaluate the PROSAIL model for obtaining maize CCC, crop canopy spectral reflectance was simulated using crop-specific parameters. In addition, various VIs were computed from multi-spectral images to estimate maize GMC at maturity and compare the results with CCC estimations. When the CCC-retrieved results were compared to measured data, the R2 value was 0.704, the RMSE was 34.58 μg/cm2, and the MAE was 26.27 μg/cm2. The estimation accuracy of the maize GMC based on the normalized red edge index (NDRE) was demonstrated to be the greatest among the selected VIs in both fields, with R2 values of 0.6 and 0.619, respectively. Although the VIs of UAV inversion GMC accuracy are lower than those of CCC, their rapid acquisition, high spatial and temporal resolution, suitability for empirical models, and capture of growth differences within the field are still helpful techniques for field-scale crop monitoring. We found that maize varieties are the main reason for the maturity variation of maize under the same geographical and environmental conditions. The method described in this article enables precision agriculture based on UAV remote sensing by giving growers a spatial reference for crop maturity at the field scale.

USE OF THE WORKING BODY OF THE UNIVERSAL VIBRATORY MILL FOR DRYING GRAIN MATERIAL

One of the most perspective directions of intensification of heat and mass transfer in the processes of drying plant materials and increasing the energy efficiency of drying plants is the application of a vibration field for mixing grain material while moving in the drying chamber. The analysis of existing vibration installations has revealed that the most promising is the usage of vibratory grinding chambers with spatial circulation of material for the implementation of grain heat treatment, in particular drying. As a result, it is proposed to use the proven element base of a vibratory mill as a working body of which grinding chambers with spatial circulation of the load are used. The article presents the structural and technological scheme of a vibratory thermal drying unit, the structural parameters of the unit, and a mathematical description of the grain drying process. The obtained differential equations constitute a mathematical model of the nonstationary process of continuous drying of grain material and determine the change in time, parameters of grain and steam-gas mixture at the outlet of the grain drying chamber. The constructed mathematical model of the drying process makes it possible to determine the modes of heating and dehydration of grain material during circulation in a vibrating chamber with a conductive energy supply and partial vacuuming of the chamber, to expand the technological capabilities of the "vibrating mill" type installations. The graphical dependences of the temperature and moisture content of grain over time, the data for which were determined experimentally, are presented when a monolayer of grain of mass m is heated on a heating surface of area F at a stabilized surface temperature θn. In this work, the kinetics of drying and heating of grain were obtained, which were used to calculate the parameters of the vibrothermal drying unit. Also, using the results of the experiments, the performance indicators of the vibration dryer created on the basis of the grinding chamber of the vibrating mill were determined.

Жизнеспособность семян и адаптивность раннеспелых гибридов кукурузы в условиях Южного Урала

Abstract. The purpose is to study and identify the best high-yielding with rapid loss of grain moisture during ripening, ecologically plastic and stable corn hybrids adapted to the conditions of the Southern Urals. Methods. The studies were carried out in 2017–2020 in the North Caucasian and Ural regions of the Russian Federation at the earliest and optimal sowing dates, taking into account the temperature regime of the soil. Eight new early-ripening maize hybrids of the FSBSI ARRSI of corn breeding in 2016 were studied. Laboratory seed germination was determined at a temperature of +20 °C according to the method of V. S. Sotchenko and others and by cold germination in filter paper rolls after each year of storage. Field germination was determined by counting the number of seedlings after sowing. Plasticity and stability were calculated according to the method of S. F. Eberhart, W. F. Russel. Results. After four years storage of corn hybrids Nur and Mashuk 170 MV, the laboratory germination of seeds remained at the level of 98–99 % with cold germination. In the conditions of the Ural region, the hybrids Baikal and Mashuk 171 became ecologically plastic and productive, referring to high intensity forms. The hybrids with the lowest grainharvesting moisture for all the years of studying Bilyar 160 (27.0 %) and Ural’skiy 150 (27.5 %) were identified as adapted for growing for grain in the Ural region. Scientific novelty. For the first time, a variety test of new early-ripening maize hybrids bred by FSBSI ARRSI of corn was carried out in two ecological and geographical points. The results of the study of ecological plasticity, adaptability to natural and climatic conditions, yield, harvest moisture content of grain, preservation of the viability of seeds of hybrids during storage will make it possible to identify the most adaptive early-ripening hybrids according to a set of characteristics for the conditions of the Ural region.

Effects of Threshing Devices, Maize Varieties and Moisture Content of Grains on the Percentage of Maize Grains Broken in Harvesting

Maize is one of the most important economic crops in the world. The integrity of maize grains directly affects the economic value of the maize as a main commodity that depends on the percentage of grains broken (POGB) in mechanized harvesting. Decreasing grain processing breakage is key to achieving mechanical harvesting with high quality. It is difficult to ensure a low POGB, because it depends on different maize varieties, their moisture contents, threshing devices and harvester working speeds. In this paper, the effects of these factors on the POGB are investigated when the working speed of the harvester is 1.0 m·s−1, 1.5 m·s−1 and 2.0 m·s−1, respectively. The different threshing forms, including tangential-axial-flow (TAF), axial-flow with nail-tooth (AFN), axial-flow with rasp bar in big space (AFRBBS) and axial-flow with rasp bar in small space (AFRBSS), are summarized. The POGB of TAF was 5.4% and it was the lowest of four threshing devices when the working speed of the harvester was 1.0 m·s−1, which was suitable to thresh maize at a low working speed. Maize Demeiya No. 1 (DMYN1), XianDa205 (XD205), Demeiya No. 3 (DMYN3) and Hayu189 (HY189) were harvested at different harvester working speeds, and the POGB of maize DMYN1 was the lowest among the four maize varieties. The POGB increased with increases in the working speed of the harvester and the moisture content of the maize grains. The POGB reached a minimum value of 3.5% when maize XD205 with the lowest moisture content was harvested. The results can provide a reference for choosing the maize variety, its moisture content, the threshing device and the working speed of the harvester for decreasing grain processing breakage.

Analysis of the error of influencing factors on the result of measuring the moisture content of grain and grain products

The potential to utilize an ultrahigh-frequency method to regulate the humidity of grain and the products of their industrial processing, allowing one to use this method to regulate technological processes in the production environments of grain-processing industries by controlling the material under examination in free space and converting the measured parameters of the electromagnetic wave passed through the material into an electrical signal. The developed functional scheme of the experimental setup based on the ultrahigh-frequency method of dependence of attenuation and phase shift of electromagnetic wave on the volumetric density of wheat grain at different mass fraction of humidity is discussed, it is shown that with increasing volumetric density at a constant value of the mass fraction of moisture decreases the error of grain moisture measurement with increasing volumetric density, where the main component of the total error of the ultrahigh frequency method (amplitude and phase) is associated with the influence of interfering factors and depends mainly on the variable thickness and density of the controlled material. In order to reduce the components of measurement error brought on by various non-informative (interfering factors) parameters on the outcome of measuring the mass moisture ratio of grain and grain products, the method of moisture measurement in both discrete and inline manufacturing is investigated.

Virtual test bench for computer-aided design of drum dryers based on kinetic laws of the drying process

The aim of the study is to create a virtual test bench, consisting of optimal design parameters that provide the maximum approximation of the real drying process to the experimental data.Method. Methods of modeling, formalized description, optimal design and management of technological processes and productions are applied. Result. A virtual test bench has been developed that allows real-time determination of the design parameters of drum-type dryers depending on the kinetic patterns of the drying process of various grain crops. As an object of study, the design of a two-section drum dryer was used, each section of which is equipped with a profile channel nozzle that provides a transverse supply of the drying agent through the pouring movable layer of the dispersed product to be dried. An algorithm for calculating the drying process is presented, which makes it possible to determine the fields of temperature and moisture content of grain in a wide range of regime parameters. With the use of CAD, a computer model of this installation was made with the possibility of autonomous rotation and movement of the drums relative to each other. A diagram of the synchronized operation of the moving elements of the installation under conditions of operational reconfiguration of its design in accordance with changes in the kinetic curves has been drawn up.Conclusion. The presented virtual test stand adequately and with high accuracy allows simulating the process of drying materials in a drum dryer; allows you to test the operation of a drum dryer at the development stage, conduct experiments with the highest possible accuracy, select the optimal drying modes for various materials with minimal energy consumption.

Improve maize quality of mechanical grain harvesting by matching maize varieties with accumulated temperature in northeast China.

Global warming has led to unreasonable trans-regional planting of late-maturing maize varieties in northeast China, which has hindered the development of physiological maturity (PM) at harvest, and the use of mechanical grain harvesting (MGH). How to balance the drying characteristics of maize varieties and make full use of accumulated temperature resources is a difficult problem in reducing grain moisture content (GMC) at harvest. The drying effective accumulated temperature (AcT, above 0°C) of different varieties was quite different, and the drying rate of maize varieties after PM treatment was between 17% and 29%, with an average of 23%. Under the condition of 25% GMC, the growth periods of fast drying variety (FDV) and slow drying variety (SDV) were 114-192 days and 110-188 days respectively. FDV and SDV must reach PM between the 30th , August and 9th , October. After PM, FDV and SDV need take 47 and 51 days to reduce GMC for MGH, respectively. Harvested at under the condition of 20% GMC, the growth periods of FDV and SDV were 97-175 and 90-171 days, respectively. The two types of varieties must reach PM between 10th , August and 19th , September. After PM, FDV and SDV need spend 64 and 70 days on reducing GMC for MGH, respectively. Cultivar matching with AcT can relieve the negative impact of trans-regional planting and help farmers to choose suitable varieties. By promoting MGH, this result may boost maize production, thus ensuring China's food security. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Measuring systems in technologies of automated humidity control

This paper examines intelligent humidity sensors (transducers) as a component of an automated process control system that converts a controlled physical quantity into a measured signal for further processing in an automatic device, as well as mathematical models of intelligent support for bulk material moisture meters. It is demonstrated that one method for increasing the efficiency of the functioning of quality meters for various bulk materials is the development of conceptual foundations and their practical implementation in the construction of express devices capable of measuring grain and grain materials. The interaction of intelligent support measuring tools in technologies for automated moisture control in technological processes and control is investigated. The microwave method is recommended for monitoring the moisture content of grain and grain materials, as well as their metrological characteristics.

Recent Advances in the Drying Process of Grains

AbstractGrain drying is a vital operation in preparing finished grain products such as flour, drinks, confectioneries and infant food. The grain drying kinetics is governed by the heat and mass transfer process between the grain and the environment. Incomplete, improper and over-drying are crucial to the grain quality and negatively influence the acceptance of the grain by the consumers. Dried grain moisture content is a critical factor for developing grain drying systems and selecting optimal performance by researchers and the grain processing industry. Many grain drying technologies such as fluidised bed dryers, fixed bed dryers, infrared dryers, microwave dryers, vacuum dryers and freeze dryers have been used in recent years. To improve the drying process of grain, researchers have combined some drying technologies such as microwave + hot air, infrared + hot air and microwave + a fluidised bed dryer. Also, they introduce some treatments such as ultrasound dielectric and dehumidification. These methods enhance the dryer performance, such as higher moisture removal, reduced processing time, higher energy efficiency and nutrient retention. Therefore, this review focused on the drying conditions, time, energy consumption, nutrient retention and cost associated with the reduction of moisture content in grain to a suitable safe level for further processing and storage.

Investigating the Influence of Grain Variety on Calibration of Microwave Moisture Sensors

<b>Highlights</b> <list list-type=bullet><list-item> Dielectric properties of wheat and corn were measured at 10 GHz and 25°C. </list-item><list-item> Moisture content was determined with a dielectric-based density-independent calibration function. </list-item><list-item> No Influence of variety in calibrating microwave moisture sensors was observed for wheat and corn. </list-item><list-item> A unified calibration for moisture determination in wheat and corn provided moisture content with SEC of 0.87%. </list-item></list> <b>Abstract.</b> Microwave moisture sensors represent a sound solution for real-time, nondestructive determination of moisture content in grains, seeds, nuts, and other agricultural products. One of the most critical phases in developing these sensors is their calibration against standard methods, in this instance, the oven-drying technique. In this study, dielectric properties of different varieties of wheat, and corn were measured at 10 GHz and an average room temperature of 25.2°C to investigate the influence of variety in calibrating microwave moisture sensors. Dielectric properties measured for all varieties tested for a given material were nearly superimposed, and the same was observed when plotting density-independent calibration function, , as a function of moisture content. Performance of individual moisture calibration equations in predicting moisture content was compared to that from a single moisture calibration equation established for all varieties combined through computation of the standard error of calibration (SEC). In most instances, for both wheat and corn the SEC corresponding to individual varieties were nearly the same as that corresponding to all varieties combined. In addition, it was observed that a unified calibration can be established for both wheat and corn whereby moisture can be predicted from a single moisture calibration equation based on measurement of the dielectric properties at a single microwave frequency. Here, such an equation provided moisture content in wheat and corn with a SEC of 0.87%.

Buckwheat grains treated with microwave radiation: Impact on the techno-functional, thermal, structural, and rheological properties of flour

The physical modification of buckwheat grain, a pseudocereal with great interest in gluten-free (GF) product development, using microwave-assisted hydrothermal treatment (MWT), was evaluated. Buckwheat grains were microwaved (8 min at 18 W/g) at four moisture contents (MC): 13%, 20%, 25%, and 30%, maintained constant throughout the treatment using a hermetic container. The impact of MWT on the techno-functional and rheological properties of flour was significantly affected by the MC of the grains. The flour obtained from grains treated with 30% MC (MW-30) was the most modified, showing the highest water absorption capacity (+43%) and a dramatic reduction in its emulsifying activity to almost zero, indicating the loss of its protein functionality during treatment. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed a delay in the gelatinisation temperature (+3.7 °C) with a significant reduction in the gelatinisation enthalpy (−27%), which is compatible with a partial pre-gelatinisation of the flour. In contrast, the lowest grain MC led to opposite effects on most of the flour properties measured. The most significant difference was its improved ability to form stable emulsions (ES) (+188%) and a significant, albeit moderate, increase in gel structural stability and tolerance to stress. Based on these results, MWT combined with the MC of grain during treatment may be a viable and effective alternative to modulate the techno-functional properties of buckwheat flour and improve its applicability in GF food formulations.