Moisture Content Of Grain Research Articles

Интенсивность влагоотдачи зерна в период созревания у самоопыленных линий кукурузы в условиях Приморского края

Создание гибридов с низкой уборочной влажностью зерна является одним из важных направлений в селекции кукурузы. Однако для получения таких гибридов нужен новый исходный материал, обладающий высокой интенсивностью влагоотдачи зерна при созревании. В 2012 – 2014 гг. на опытных полях Приморского края впервые изучены и проанализированы динамика влажности и интенсивность высыхания зерна при созревании у самоопыленных линий кукурузы. Объектом исследования служили 22 самоопыленные линии кукурузы селекции Приморского НИИСХ. Самоопыленные линии высевали в селекционном питомнике на однорядковых делянках площадью 5 м2. Густота стояния в селекционном питомнике составляла 3 – 4 растения на 1 пог. м или 30 – 40 тыс. раст./га. Выделены линии с высокой интенсивностью высыхания зерна, которые использованы в селекционной работе по созданию гибридов кукурузы с низкой уборочной влажностью зерна. Наиболее высокая начальная влажность зерна отмечена у линий Прим 14, Прим 7 и Прим 27 (59,7; 61,3 и 61,5 % соответственно), наименьшая — у линий Прим 2 (50,3 %) и Прим 31 (49,6 %). Низкой конечной (уборочной) влажностью зерна характеризовались самоопыленные линии: Прим 22 — 22,0 %, Прим 2 — 22,7 %, Прим 27 — 24,5 %, Прим 29 — 24,7 %, Прим 30 — 24,9 %. Наибольшей интенсивностью влагоотдачи характеризовались линии Прим 7, Прим 14, Прим 22, Прим 27, Прим 34 — 1,06 – 1,31 % за сутки (в среднем за весь период изучения). При этом конечная влажность у них составляла 22,0 – 31,3 %.

Development of an Energy Storage Chamber to Enhance Solar Drying of Grain at Night

Solar drying is the one of the effective means for preserving grains and pulses. It is a simpler, cleaner and safer method of drying. However, most available solar dryers are inefficient due to non-availability of solar energy during the periods of low insolation which eventually leads to moisture re-absorption with pronounced effect particularly at night, causing growth on dried grains. To solve this problem, an energy collector and storage chamber was developed and connected to a developed solar dryer to serve as a heat source at night.
 No load test was carried out at night when the dryer was subjected to four different conditions: valve opened and surface of the collector covered; valve opened and surface of the collector uncovered; valve closed and surface of the collector covered; and valve closed and surface of the collector uncovered. Load test was conducted by drying five different grains; maize, soyabean, groundnut, cowpea and sorghum during daytime using the dryer and applying the best combination of energy supplied and surface of the collector at night.
 The result showed that the highest temperature difference of 35ºC and 33ºC were attained in the flat plate collector and drying chamber respectively, when the valve was opened and the surface of the collectors were covered. The load test revealed that there was a slight reduction in the moisture content of grains between midnight and 5 am. The highest moisture reduction (4%) was recorded during drying of sorghum while the least moisture reduction (1%) was recorded when drying cowpea at night. In conclusion, for continuous solar drying of grains at night using stored energy, the valve controlling the heat storage chamber should be opened and the surface of the collector should be covered to obtain optimum temperature within the drying chamber. Conserved heat energy from the energy storage chamber ensures continuous drying of smaller grains (sorghum) and at least prevents moisture re-absorption in larger grains (cowpea and maize).

Physical and technological properties of kernels and flour made from spelt grown in an organic farming system in north-eastern Poland

Spelt grain and flour made from spelt grown during a three-year field experiment in an organic farming system in north-eastern Poland were evaluated. The evaluated parameters were: moisture content of grain and flour, kernel uniformity, bulk density of grain, grain hardness, flour extraction rate, grain color and flour color.In the present study, all quality parameters of spelt grain and flour were significantly influenced by the interactions between cultivars and the year of harvest. Our findings indicate that spelt cultivars respond differently to soil and climatic conditions.The analyzed spelt cultivars differed considerably (cv %) in kernel uniformity (2.2–17%), compressive strength (9–40.8%) and compression energy (9–55.1%). The average flour extraction rate ranged from 67.1% to 68.0% for wheat cv. Korweta and from 58.5% to 69.7% for spelt, and this parameter was characterized by greater variation in all spelt cultivars than in common wheat. The observed variations in the color parameters of grain and flour were below 10%, and the only exception was the red component a* of flour. The analyzed parameters were most stable in spelt cvs. Schwabenspeltz and Holstenkorn and most varied in spelt cvs. Oberkulmer Rotkorn and Ceralio.

Development of the Enhanced Halsey Model to Predict Equilibrium Moisture Content (EMC) of Sunflower Seeds with Different Oil Contents

Abstract. Using the right equilibrium moisture content (EMC) relationship is critical for implementing successful aeration strategies and for determining the safe storage moisture content of grains and oilseeds. The oil content of sunflower seeds substantially affects the moisture equilibrium relationship, implying that a specific set of model parameters for each oil content range should be obtained. To overcome this practical limitation, the Enhanced Halsey model was developed incorporating a new parameter (D) to characterize the effect of oil content on the original Modified Halsey model. The constants A, B, C, and D of the model were obtained for a wide range of temperatures, moisture and oil contents. The simplicity of the Enhanced Halsey model and the possibility of adapting EMC as a function of oil content make the Enhanced Halsey model valuable for engineering applications (e.g., aeration controllers) and for predicting the safe storage moisture content of seeds with different oil contents, such as sunflower. Keywords: Composition, Grain, Isotherms, Oilseed, Relative humidity, Sorption, Storage quality.

Variability in determination of the single kernel moisture content of grain by means of TD-NMR spectroscopy

Detailed information on the moisture distribution of grains is important to predict its storability, because there can be a significant variance in the moisture content among individual grain kernels. Hence, it is important to determine the single kernel moisture content. For it, the time domain nuclear magnetic resonance (TD-NMR) spectroscopy was applied and adopted for the non-destructive measurement at different types of grain with the focus on wheat. The TD-NMR is widely used in food industry to determine the moisture content precisely. The influence of the single kernel position in the measuring cell was examined more closely. As could be demonstrated, the particle moisture varied significantly depending on the angular position in the TD-NMR spectroscope. When the kernel was turned by 90°, the moisture deviated by up to 0.9% wet basis, and this deviation increased as the grain water content increased. In addition, the experiments showed that the dry mass of the kernel has an impact on the received moisture content. Hence, the kernel should always have the same position in the NMR-spectroscope. Also the calibration should be carried out in this position and a wide range of kernel weight should be selected.

Study into effects of a microwave field on the plant tissue

We report results of experimental research into effects of heat treatment of different plant materials in a microwave field. The effects of seed bio-stimulation are investigated, as well as features of drying and the influence of thermal treatment on the properties of moistened straw. A procedure is proposed for calculating a threshold time of seed exposure to a microwave field, compiled on the basis of hypothesis on the emergence of a bio-stimulation effect. We identified a cascade pressure growth in a container with humid grain when the layer’s temperature exceeds 70 о С. The moisturizing effect of the lower layer of grain was established during its drying in MW field under conditions of a leakproof bottom. It is shown that at an initial moisture content in grain of 20 %, after 14 minutes of drying, the moisture content of the upper layer reached 15.5 %, of the middle layer – 14.5 %, of the lower layer – 21.6 %. It was established that performance efficiency of a microwave chamber substantially depends on the loading volume, material’s type, and moisture content. The chamber’s performance efficiency while heating water can reach 90 %, the chamber’s performance efficiency when loaded with grain does not exceed 67 %. To estimate energy effectiveness of using microwave energy, a dependence is proposed, which includes power output of the magnetron, load volume, and the value of performance efficiency. Dependences for the calculation of performance efficiency when loading a material are proposed to be established experimentally

Influence of corn variety, drying temperature, and moisture content at harvest on the saccharides released during an in vitro pepsin‐pancreatin digestion

High‐performance anion‐exchange chromatography coupled with pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC‐PAD) was used to quantify and to determine the nature of saccharides released after the digestion of two corn grains submitted to different drying and harvesting protocols. Five saccharides were quantified: glucose, maltose, isomaltose, maltotriose, and glucosyl‐maltotriose. After a subsequent hydrolysis with amyloglucosidase of the released saccharides, the amount of total glucose recovered increased with the increase in drying temperature and the moisture content of grain at harvest. These results suggest that structural changes induced within corn starch granules during drying affect their hydrolysis by amylases. These changes may lead to different pathways of sugar absorption in the small intestine of monogastrics. Thus, corn grains with a similar composition may lead to different levels of metabolizable energy upon gastro‐intestinal digestion.

Drying of Agricultural Grains in a Multiple Porous Draft Tube Spouted Bed

A multiple porous draft tube spouted bed (MPDTSB) was used to carry out drying of Ragi (Eleusine coracana), Barley, and Wheat grains. Batch experiments were conducted under varied conditions of initial moisture contents of grains, air inlet temperatures, and airflow rates. The draft tube parameters and fluid inlet sizes were also varied in the study. The results indicated that MPDTSB has the potential to be used for scale up to large-scale solids drying. In addition, two single porous draft tube spouted beds (SPDTSBs) were used for comparison with MPDTSB; the batch drying times in the MPDTSB were found to be lower when compared to those in SPDTSB under identical operating conditions.

QTLs and analysis of the candidate gene for amylose, protein, and moisture content in rice (Oryza sativa L.).

In this study, we determined using NIRS the heritability percentage of amylose, protein, and moisture content in polished and unpolished rice in a CNDH population derived from a cross between Cheongcheong and Nagdong rice varieties. The results revealed a higher heritability percentage for the amylose content and compromised heritability for protein and moisture contents. We also conducted QTL analysis of rice for these major components and identified their chromosomal locations on a physical map. We found a total of four QTLs affecting the amylose, protein, and moisture contents of grain on chromosome 7. We constructed physical maps of seven DNA markers responsible for amylose content, six responsible for protein content, and three responsible for moisture content. Furthermore, we classified these genes according to their functions and found 17 genes (over 77%) to be involved in secondary metabolite synthesis, two genes (about 9%), each related to cell function and abiotic stress, and one gene (about 5%) involved in redox signaling.

A Technique of Evaluating an Idealized Mathematical Model for Monitoring the Moisture Content of Grain by a Dielcometric Method

An evaluation of an idealized mathematical model of monitoring the moisture content of grain by a dielcometric method is presented. The method graphically represents the electrophysical processes in weevils under the effect of an electric field while the relationship between the moisture content and the electric parameters of grain may be analytically expressed by equ circuits. An analysis of certain techniques and methods of effective use of the dielcometric method is presented. An example of the development of an electrical device for monitoring the moisture content of grain with instrumental error less than 0.1% is considered.

Development and Evaluation of a Low-Cost Probe-Type Instrument to Measure the Equilibrium Moisture Content of Grain

Abstract. Storage of grain in bags is common in Africa, Asia, and many other less developed countries making a bag probing method well-suited for moisture content (MC) measurement. A low-cost meter was developed under a USAID project to reduce post-harvest loss (PHL). The meter, referred to as the PHL meter, measures the MC of maize and other grains based on relative humidity (RH) and temperature (T) measurements obtained by a small digital sensor located in the tip of a tubular probe that can be inserted into bags of grain or other grain bulks. Measurements are used by equilibrium moisture content (EMC) equations programmed into the meter to predict MC. A handheld reader connected to the probe provides a user interface. Keywords: Equilibrium moisture content, Grain storage, Maize, Moisture content, Moisture meter, Post-harvest

Effect of tempering moisture of wheat on grinding energy, middlings and flour size distribution, and gluten and dough mixing properties

The effect of tempering moisture on milling performance, energy consumption during grinding, granulometric composition (of both middlings and flour) and baking quality of flour for hard and medium-hard wheat grain were tested. The baking quality of flour was determined on the basis of water absorption and rheological properties of wet gluten and bread dough. Samples of wheat were tempered to 12%, 14%, 16% or 18% moisture content. An increase in the moisture content of grains due to pre-milling tempering increased both the specific grinding energy and the grinding efficiency index. An increase in the moisture content of hard wheat grains results in a decrease in flour yield, with the proportion of fractions forming the flour being maintained. In addition, it contributes to a decrease in the protein content of flour, which also results in a reduced amount of gluten, and a shortened period of dough development. An increase in the moisture level of the grain contributed to the mechanical strengthening of the gluten network and an enhancement of its sorption capacity. The positive effect of the moistening treatment is connected with the formation of bread dough with increased water absorption and much more stable consistency during kneading.

Historical development of grain moisture measurement and other food quality sensing through electrical properties

When the electrical properties of materials are well correlated with other properties or characteristics of those materials that are important, it is often possible to use properly designed instruments for rapidly measuring those nonelectrical properties of interest. This may be accomplished by the use of electric fields in sensing the electrical properties of the material and then obtaining estimates of the nonelectrical properties through appropriate correlations. In the agricultural and food industries, these kinds of measurements have been used for many years for rapid determination of moisture content in grain and seed. Research has been conducted seeking useful correlations between quality attributes of other food materials and their electrical properties, but they have generally been less successful than the determination of moisture content. In this article, an overview of the historical development of such measurement methods and techniques is presented with respect to grain and seed and other agricultural products and food materials. The article covers use of electrical resistance or conductance of grain samples, radio-frequency capacitance measurements, and microwave measurements of dielectric properties for sensing the moisture content of grain and seed. It deals with the principles involved rather than descriptions of specific instruments that have been developed for rapid measurement of grain and seed moisture content.

A national survey of rice (Oryza sativa L.) grain quality in Sierra Leone II: Evaluation of physical grain quality.

Rice is a very important item of food and commerce in Sierra Leone and so information o n the quality of available rice grains can serve as a useful indicator for the technical status and level of competitiveness in the local rice industry . During this study a n objective evaluation was conducted to measure and characterize the quality of rice grains available in the local markets of Sierra Leone. A total of 315 randomly selected rice samples from 45 markets selected from the four major cities of Sierra Leone (Makeni, Bo, Kenema and Freetown, representing urban communities from the northern, southern, eastern and western parts of the country , respectively ) were evaluated. Quality evaluation involved measurement of moisture content, number of paddy (unmilled rice kernels) in 1 kg of milled rice and other quality factors normally used for the grading of milled rice. Rice samples were then graded based on criteria adapted from the Philippines Rice Grading Standards for milled rice grains. The results showed that the quality of all grain samples evaluated was generally poor, with 63.2% of the samples failing to meet the criteria set for Grade III rice quality ( meaning that the quality level was worse than grade III ) . Quality measures obtained for imported samples appeared to be superior to that obtained for the local samples in terms of higher proportions of superior grades (grade II or better ) . Comparison of measures of grading factors revealed that among the four cities considered in this study, grains from Kenema were of the lowest quality . Further examination of grade limiting factors revealed that the most critical factors responsible for poor quality outcomes in grain sample were (i) the number of paddy in 1kg of milled rice and (ii) the moisture content of grains . The study provided quantitative measures of the quality status of rice grains available in Sierra Leone , as well as a means of identifying the major binding constraints to rice grain quality, in terms of the grade limiting factors. It is speculated that t he low quality of rice grains observed in this study could be the result of avoidable quality defects that may be linked to an undeveloped national system for rice milling and handling .

Development of multi-grain capacitive sensor for determination of moisture content in grains

The dielectric properties of a variety of Indian whole cereal grains viz. mustard, moong, masoor, chick pea, urad and wheat, with moisture content (MC) ranging from 7 to 35% (wet basis), were characterised to develop a prototype multi-grain moisture meter based on the capacitive sensing technique. The operating frequency of the multi-grain moisture meter was fixed at 230 kHz. It consisted of a calibrated oscillator circuitry, capacitive sensing cell as a sample holder, temperature sensor and microcontroller circuitry. It senses the MC of cereal grains due to variation of dielectric medium resulting in capacitance variation by using an oscillator tank circuit connected across a fixed reference capacitance value. This generates proportionate frequency modulations at the output of the oscillator circuitry. The empirical calibration equations for the prediction of moisture in a variety of grains were developed, validated and embedded in the microcontroller unit. A unique empty cylinder referencing system based on the relative frequency sensing technique associated with grain sample moisture variations was developed to compensate for empty cylinder referencing variations. This enabled the accurate measurement of frequencies. A thermistor was introduced in the oscillator circuitry to compensate for thermal drifts of the output signal. This enhanced the precision and stability of the oscillator unit. The coefficient of correlation between grain MC and capacitance variation was high and measurement accuracy was found to be 1%.

Mechanical Properties of Granular Materials and Their Impact on Load Distribution in Silo: A Review

Abstract Mechanical properties of granular materials and their impact on load distribution in storage silo were discussed with special focus on materials of biological origin. Granular materials classification was briefly outlined. The evolution of constitutive models of granular materials developed in the frame of mechanics of continuum was addressed. Analytical methods, Finite Element Methods (FEM), and Discrete Element Methods (DEM) of estimation of silo pressure were discussed. Special attention was paid to the following issues: dynamic pressure switch in the first moment of silo discharge, asymmetry of loads due to eccentric discharge, and impact of uncontrolled increase of moisture content of grain on silo pressures.

АНАЛИЗ ИЗМЕНЕНИЙ В ИК-СПЕКТРАХ СЕМЯН ОЗИМОЙ РЖИ, ПОДВЕРГНУТЫХ РАЗЛИЧНЫМ ВИДАМ ВЛАГОТЕПЛОВОЙ ОБРАБОТКИ

By the method of Fourier IR spectroscopy in the middle area carried out a qualitative analysis of the processes taking place in different types of hydrothermal processing of winter rye: extrusion, fermenting, roasting undertaken to increase the nutritional value of grain. Revealed absorption bands which can judge the moisture content of grain, as well as on the content of protein, fiber and starch. It is found that depending on the type of processing changes in the IR spectra associated with replacements of protein or carbohydrate macromolecules. It was shown that the fermentation of all samples is hydrolyzed macromolecular carbohydrates (cellulose and starch) and conversion of these compounds into carbohydrates of lower molecular weight . Extrusion, cooking and frying rye is denatured vegetable protein and carbohydrate portion remains generally unchanged. However, under any scenario hydrothermal processing of grain in it there are complex biochemical processes that result in a change of the biochemical and physical properties of the grain and its nutritional value.

Changes In Biochemical Components Of Rice Following Naa Application

An investigation on the effect of Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) on the changes of biochemical components of two varieties of rice (Oryza sativa L.), BRR1 dhan 29 and BRRI dhan 50 was carried out. Two concentrations of NAA, 100 and 200 ppm were used as foliar spray. In BRRI dhan 29, significant increases in chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b contents of leaf were observed due to both the treatments at the flowering stage, whereas, carotenoids at the grain filling stage only. But in BRRI dhan 50, the total leaf pigments decreased at the flowering and grain filling stage, but was significant in case of chlorophyll a at the flowering stage. Significant increases in protein content of leaf were recorded at the tillering and flowering stage of BRRI dhan 29 following 100 ppm NAA treatment. In BRRI dhan 50, the only significant increase was recorded at grain filling stage due to 200 ppm NAA treatment. In both the varieties carbohydrates, protein, fat, and energy content of grain increased due to both the treatments and the maximum increase in all the cases was recorded due to 100 ppm NAA treatment. Ash and moisture content of grain reduced following both the treatments in both the varieties, the maximum reduction was due to 100 ppm NAA treatment
 Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 40(2): 173-178, December 2014

Termoresistant and germination of maize hybrids seed depending on the mode their drying

Heat (thermal) drying of maize seed is the most important operation in the process of post-harvest working. Typical drying mode is set on the basis of model calculations, namely static and dynamic characteristics of the thermal stability of maize seed and condition constant parameters of the drying process and it does not reflect the practical parameters in chamber dryer corn. Purpose. Determine the thermal resistance of different maize hybrids; establish the effect of drying regimes on the germination of seed. Research methods. Earcorn harvested at a moisture content of grain 17,3–3,3 %, dryness, threshed and seed germination was determined standard and cold germination method and sowing in the field. Research results . Seed germination varied depending on the harvest moisture, drying temperature and thermal features of the hybrids corn. Germination also affects seed germination method. Thus, in the standard thinning germination of seeds collected at different humidity and dried at a temperature 30 о C, was 93–100 %. When the temperature rises to 40 о C germination decreased slightly in those seeds which had 41,9 % moisture and above. At a temperature 50 о C germination remained high enough only for moisture 17,3–21,2 %. In cold thinning germination dependence of their harvest moisture and drying mode was much stronger. So, with a moisture content of 32–40 % within the maximum allowable temperature of heating of seed is 30 о C, with humidity 22–32 %, respectively 40 о C, and low humidity – 50 о C depending on hybrids corn. Kremen 200SV is the least thermostable hybrid was whose germination strongly reduced due to heating, as in the standard and cold germination. Conclusions. Revealed that the thermal stability of maize seed is formed due to the action of the complex biotica-abioticlly factors: temperature and moisture content of grain; varietal characteristics of the genotype; years of cultivation, physiological and biochemical status of the seed; its rate of dehydration. Optimum temperature for drying seeds with a moisture content of 22–40 % is respectively 50–30 о C.

Basic regularities of the filtration drying of wheat grain

This paper discusses the results of experimental investigations into the hydrodynamics and heat exchange specific to the filtration drying of wheat grain. The result of experimental investigations into the hydrodynamics has been generalized based on the inner problem, exterior problem and a mixed problem of hydrodynamics. The experimental data representations in the form of dimensionless numbers are easy-to-use in practice and enable determine the energy cost and the economic feasibility of the process. Determining the optimal parameters of filtration drying process was ensure by the investigation into heat exchange specificities and their generalization in the form of dimensionless numbers that would enable to compute the heat rejection factors, with the filtration modes and physical parameters of the heating medium being known. Obtained are the design dependences to determine the internal diffusion coefficients against the temperature of a heating medium and the initial moisture content of grains. The resulting design dependency may be used to predict the duration of the wheat grain filtration drying. Determined are the rational modes of drying for seed grain and food grain.