Effects of different moisture content and varieties on physico–mechanical properties of maize kernel and pedicel

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine various physical, mechanical, and pedicel strengths of 28 maize cultivars, with initial moisture content ranging between 19.24 to 36.64% (w.b.). These properties are such as slenderness ratio of maize ear, dimensions, density and 100–seed weight of kernels, picking force of kernel pedicel from cob (pedicel strength). The range of the slenderness ratio of maize ear was 24.91–36.99%. The range of weight for kernel and ear were 176.68–300.09 g, 141.78–229.22 g, respectively. In terms of the sphericity of kernels which ranges between 0.62 and 0.77 depending on the cultivars. When the kernel moisture in the range of 19.24–22.50%, the range of required force for remove one kernel from the cob is 4.71–7.94 N. When the kernel moisture is greater than 22.50%, the maximum force required is 28.50 N. The force required to remove kernels from the cob along the axial direction is greater than that at the radial direction. The knowledge of these parameters is important for the development of new threshing equipment and for reducing the losses that occurred in maize production. Practical Applications Maize is one of the most versatile cereal crops of the world but has a wide application in many industries. The determination of the physical and mechanical properties of maize ear, kernel, and pedicel will provide the reference to design the process of threshing equipment, postharvest machinery, and so forth, in the processing and manufacturing industries.

Measurement and calibration of gluten pellets discrete element parameters at varied moisture content

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Determination Methods and Influencing Factors of Grain Mechanical Properties

“…By establishing an artifcial neural network model, the mechanical properties of maize kernels were used to predict the breakage rate [8]. Te study of the diferences in mechanical properties of diferent threshing directions of maize provides a theoretical basis for the design of mechanized threshers [9]. Tese are inseparable from the study of the mechanical properties of grains.…”

Mechanical properties of corn: Correlation with endosperm hardness

“…It is usually obtained by compression, three‐point bending, or shear experiments (Chen et al, 2021; Dziki & Laskowski, 2007; Li et al, 2022). The compression test has strong applicability, so it is widely used in the study of grain mechanical properties (Su et al, 2019, 2021). In this paper, the mechanical properties of corn kernels will be explored by plate compression test.…”

“…The compression test has strong applicability, so it is widely used in the study of grain mechanical properties (Su et al, 2019(Su et al, , 2021. In this paper, the mechanical properties of corn kernels will be explored by plate compression test.…”