Radio Frequency Dielectric Properties of Bulk Canola Seeds under Different Temperatures,Moisture Contents,and Frequencies for Feasibility of Radio Frequency Disinfestation

The parallel capacitances and resistances of the bulk canola seeds were measured to determine the dielectric properties of canola seeds using a radio frequency dielectric fixture at different levels of temperature (30–80°C) and moisture content (5–11% w.b.), over the frequency range of 5 to 30 MHz. The dielectric constant (ε′) increased from 3.82 to 7.85 with increasing temperature and decreasing frequency regardless of the seed moisture contents. The dielectric loss factors (ε”) of the bulk seeds increased with increasing temperature and moisture content and decreased with frequency, ranging between 0.11 and 13.0. The penetration depth of the electromagnetic power in the bulk seeds varied from 1.30 to 48.0 m depending upon temperature, frequency, and moisture content. The distinct correlation of sensitivity of dielectric properties with moisture content was not observed except for that of penetration depth. The dielectric properties of the bulk canola seeds were higher than those of other oil seeds at various moisture contents; it might be affected by relatively higher linolenic acid content among other fatty acids. The large difference of the dielectric loss factors of insect pests cf. those of canola seeds showed potential for radio frequency disinfestation based on selective heating of insect pests in the canola seeds. The dielectric properties determined can be used for simulating temperature distribution within the bulk canola seeds during the radio frequency process.     

Mechanical stress on canola seed during dehulling

The mature canola seed comprises an embryo, a group of structures that have a high content of protein and oil, and a fibrous seed coat held together by endosperm tissues. High-quality canola meal production requires removal of fiber-rich seed hull that typically contributes little nutrient value. Canola hull accounts for more than 70.0% of the insoluble fiber within the seed, which limits its uses as feed. Dehulling canola seed, before oil extraction, increases the protein content and decreases fiber content in the meal, to up to 50.0% and to down to 10.0%, respectively. Due to the complexity in dehulling canola seeds, several methods have been explored by the canola processing industry. However, little research has been conducted in analyzing the effects that mechanical dehulling methods have on seeds. In this study, we conducted mechanical tests to characterize seed behavior and hull fracture under uncoupled stresses such as compression and shear;stresses generated by the common dehulling equipment used in the industry, such as mills. All tests were carried out on single seeds at different moisture contents, from 5.00% to 25.0% wet mass basis (w.b.). Over a range of moisture contents studied, shear loading mode limited deformation of embryos in comparison to compression loading. Additionally, hardness tests were performed with a nano-indenter machine to determine seed hull properties. The overall results from these experiments provided information used to construct a computational model that represents canola seed deformation under compression stress.     

Metabolic changes of biochemical constituents in developing fennel seeds (Foeniculum vulgare)

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is the major spice/condimental crop of Haryana, generally used in India for preparing pickles and in vegetable cooking. Flowers were tagged at anthesis, fennel seeds (local variety) were collected at 1-week intervals after 40 days from anthesis for studying biochemical constituents. Moisture and protein contents decreased significantly with the advancement of seed development. Oil content ranged from 68 to 135·7 g kg^?1 (dry weight basis), which increased with seed development. The oil content was greater in mature seeds. The presence of phytate (11·35–13·10 mg g^?1) was also observed, which affects the availability of Zn and Fe. Fennel seeds were found to be a rich source of micro- and macroelements. Neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, cellulose and lignin contents increased significantly with the advancement of seed development. Oleic and linoleic fatty acids were found to be major fatty acids and variable proportions of different fatty acids were observed.     

Compositional changes in seeds influenced by their positions in different whorls of mature sunflower head

The physicochemical characteristics of seeds located in different whorls of the sunflower (Helianthus annuus L) head at maturity have been studied. The proportion of filled seeds decreased from the peripheral to the central whorl, with a 10‐fold decrease in filled/unfilled seed ratio. The dry weight of seeds and kernels and the oil content of kernels decreased from the peripheral towards the middle and central whorls. However, the dry weight of seeds and kernels in the seed crop was significantly higher and the oil content lower than in the oil crop. The contents of starch, total soluble sugars and reducing sugars were lower in the oil crop than in the seed crop. The starch content of peripheral whorls in the seed crop was much lower than that of central whorls, with accumulation of total soluble sugars and reducing sugars, whereas much less variability was observed with respect to the position of seeds on the sunflower head in the oil crop. The mean proportion of membrane lipids was higher and that of triacylglycerols lower in the seed crop than in the oil crop. The proportions of 16:0 and 18:1 were higher in the seed crop, while that of 18:2 was higher in the oil crop. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Infrared Processing of Dry Peas, Canola, and Canola Screenings

Dry peas, canola and canola fine screenings were heated to various temperatures using infrared energy, then selected characteristics were compared with those of unprocessed commodities. Processed dry peas exhibited dehulling and air classification characteristics similar to raw peas. Bitterness and protein solubility in raw pea protein were reduced by infrared heating. Infrared processed canola seed exhibited lower crude fibre content and lower yields in dehulling compared to raw seed. Processing the seed did not affect crude oil quality, except for sulfur and phosphorus content. Inactivation of canola and screenings myrosinase by infrared heating was related to commodity moisture content. Infrared heating to 105°C inactivated weed seed viability in screenings.     

Effect of temperature and water availability during late maturation of the soybean seed on germ and cotyledon isoflavone content and composition

BACKGROUND: Isoflavone content in soybean seeds is strongly influenced by both environment and genotype. However, little is known about the effect of environment and genotype on isoflavones in germ versus cotyledons. To determine the effect of temperature and soil moisture status during soybean seed development on seed isoflavone concentration and composition, a set of two French and three US cultivars of similar maturity were grown in the greenhouse. At the R6 growth stage, plants were subjected to one of three night/day temperature regimes (13/23°, 18/28° or 23/33 °C) in either optimal or sub‐optimal soil water conditions. RESULTS: In cotyledons, a three‐ to six‐fold variation in total isoflavone content was observed between the high and low temperature treatments, whereas the germ contents had less than a two‐fold variation. Soil water supply had less effect than temperature on the isoflavone contents and compositions. In both seed parts, the isoflavone concentrations were highly dependent on the cultivar. CONCLUSION: These results show that isoflavone content and composition in cotyledon and germ are unrelated and it should be possible to independently manipulate these seed traits through plant breeding and crop management systems. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Starch Yield Sensitivity of Maize Hybrids to Drying Temperature and Harvest Moisture Content

Nine maize hybrids from the 1994 crop, representing the range of hybrids grown in the U.S. central corn belt, were harvested at high (33–35%) and low (21–22%) moisture contents and laboratory dried at either ambient temperature (about 25°C) or 110°C. Similarly, nine maize hybrids from the 1995 crop were harvested at two different moisture contents and dried using either ambient temperature or 80°C. Both sets of samples were wet-milled using a 100 g laboratory procedure. Significant differences were observed between hybrids as to the effect of drying air temperature and harvest moisture content on wet-milling yields. Eight of the 9 hybrids dried at 110°C and harvested at high moisture contents showed significantly lower starch yields (by 7.2–15.1%) when compared to starch yields of the same hybrids dried at 110°C and harvested at low moisture contents. Results also indicated that there is a hybrid-dependent effect of high-temperature drying and harvest moisture content at 80°C drying air temperature. Starch yields of some hybrids harvested at low moisture contents are negatively affected if dried at 80°C. However, there were mixed results on starch yields if the hybrids were harvested at high moisture contents and dried at 80°C.     

Changes in phytosterol contents during rape seed storage under conditions simulating industrial silos

During seed storage in tall silos the low layers of rape seeds are exposed to static pressure exerted by the upper layers. This may cause deformation and damage of seeds found in the lower layers and losses of biologically active compounds. The aim of this study was to simulate under laboratory conditions the actual ecosystem found in industrial plants and to evaluate the effect of not only the temperature and moisture content, but also static pressure on degradation of phytosterols contained in rape seeds in the course of storage. Changes in phytosterol levels were assessed using GC-MS. During storage in all samples of seeds (7–16% moisture content) under the adopted conditions of overpressure (20–60 kPa) and temperature (25–35 °C) the total content of phytosterols decreased by 3–57%. The smallest losses in the total phytosterol contents (3–4%) were recorded during storage of seeds with a 7% moisture content, irrespective of the applied storage temperature (25–35 °C) and overpressure variants (20–60 kPa). The greatest losses of phytosterols (43–57%) were observed during storage of seeds with a 16% moisture content at a temperature of 35 °C, while the higher the applied overpressure, the greater these losses were. The study showed that the greatest influence on sterol content during storage was increased seed moisture, and subsequently the temperature and the pressure. Experimental results also showed that for seeds with higher moisture contents (13 and 16%) an increase in storage temperature from 30 to 35 °C intensifies losses of individual phytosterols much more markedly that an increase in temperature from 25 to 30 °C. Moreover it was observed that overpressure over 20 kPa enhanced losses of investigated phytosterols.     

不同品种、成熟度带壳莲子营养品质研究

本研究以福建省莲子主栽品种——'建选17号’、'建选35号’、'太空莲35号’、'京广1号’为试验对象,选取每个品种乳熟期、蜡熟期和完熟期三个不同成熟度的莲子进行营养品质研究。结果表明:同一品种不同成熟期鲜莲子中主要营养素含量总体变化趋势一致,即鲜莲子营养素(除水分外)含量随成熟度增加而不断增加。乳熟期莲子中淀粉、蛋白质和矿物质等主要营养成分累积还不够充分,结合莲子产量和资源综合利用等因素,乳熟期鲜莲子不适合作为莲子深加工原料。不同品种鲜莲子进行比较,'太空莲35号’乳熟期水分含量最高,为(80.07±2.29) g/100 g鲜重,适合鲜食或加工成速冻鲜莲子;'建选35号’完熟期具有较高的淀粉含量和最高的蛋白质含量,分别为(61.27±0.33) g/100 g鲜重、(23.07±0.26) g/100 g鲜重,适合用于莲子深加工;'建选17号’完熟期矿物质含量最高,为(5.73±0.02) g/100 g鲜重,适合当作带壳莲子调理食品的原料。该研究结果可为筛选出适宜加工的带壳莲子品种并开展相关品质特性的研究提供理论依据。     

MOISTURE SORPTION and VOLUMETRIC CHANGES of CANOLA DURING HYDROTHERMAL PROCESSING

The moisture content and volume change of canola seeds immersed in water or exposed to steam were measured. Three water temperatures of 22, 50 and 75C and one wet steam treatment (atmospheric pressure ∼ 100C) were used in the experiments. the maximum moisture attained by the canola seed was 0.67 decimal (db) in soaking and 0.54 decimal (db) in steaming. the moisture sorption rates were higher at higher temperatures of soaking. the coefficient of expansion did not vary significantly among treatments and an average coefficient of 1.032 per unit change in moisture content was obtained.     

新收烤烟种子干燥处理方法初探

为提高新果收种子的活力,研究了蒴果和种子不同成熟度、不同种子袋以及干燥剂对种子活力的影响.结果表明,种子初始含水量随成熟度的提高而降低,种子的含水量随着干燥剂与种子比例的增加和成熟度的提高而降低,用棉布袋装的种子含水量低于尼龙袋(60目)装的种子,脱粒的种子含水量比带壳蒴果低.干燥处理的种子活力均高于对照.     

Quality changes in 12% moisture content canola stored in silo bags under Canadian Prairie conditions

A study was conducted for two storage years (2011–12 and 2013–14) to determine the changes in grain quality while storing 12% moisture content (m.c., wet basis) canola seeds in silo bags under Canadian Prairie conditions. Canola seeds were stored in three silo bags (67 tonnes per bag) and unloaded at three different times (one bag at a time) which represent 20 weeks of storage (unloaded in late winter), 28 weeks of storage (unloaded in spring) and 40 weeks of storage (unloaded after summer storage). Canola seed quality parameters (germination, free fatty acid value (FAV), and moisture content), and intergranular composition (CO₂ and O₂ levels) at different locations in silo bags were analysed every two weeks. Temperature of canola seeds at various locations in the silo bag was recorded every 30 min. The germination of canola seeds at most parts of the silo bags stayed above a safe level up to late winter (20 weeks of storage). At the top layer of the silo bags, germination of canola seeds decreased to below 30% during summer storage (after 40 weeks of storage). Moisture content of canola seeds increased at the top layer in both storage years. The FAV values remained at safe levels until 20 weeks of storage, and increased more than two times the initial values after summer storage. The commercial grades after first, second and third unloading (after 20, 28 and 40 weeks of storage) were Grade 1, Grade 2 and Feed Grade, respectively, in year 1. Whereas for year 2, these were Grade 1, Grade 1 and Grade 2 after first, second and third unloading, respectively. The grain quality analysis and commercial grading results indicated that ambient temperature had a major role in quality of canola during storage.     

Heated-air drying of oilseeds

This paper describes experimental work on the drying of oilseeds. Resistance to air flow and drying rates, parameters needed for oilseed drier design, were measured. Safe drying temperatures were deter,ined in a small batch fluidized bed. Some sealed tube heating tests were also perforrned for comparison. Quality assessment was based on the effect of drying conditions on the germination of the seed and on the free fatty acid content and peroxide value of the extracted oil. Colour of the oil was also measured before and after a heat bleach test using a photometric method.Quality results indicate that germination is affected by heat above a critical drying air and seed temperature. For sunflower seed, safe drying air temperatures of 65, 60 and 55°C were obtained for initial moisture contents of 12, 14 and 16% respectively. For rapeseed, an inlet air temperature of 60°C caused no loss of germination for each initial moisture content. However, sealed tube heating of 16% m.c. sunflower and rapeseed at 60°C for 4 hr completely killed the seeds. Free fatty acid content and peroxide value were not significantly changed by the heat treatments in all cases, and oil colour after heat bleaching generally showed some improvement up to an air temperature of 70°C. At 80°C, however, substantial darkening of sunflower oil was observed.     

Equilibrium moisture content, BET monolayer moisture and crispness of extruded rice-legume snacks

Extruded Jaya rice-legume (3:1 w/w) snacks equilibrated at different relative humidities (RH; 10–86%) exhibited similar typical sorption-isotherms and equilibrium moisture contents (EMC) up to 33% RH. Acceptable crispness was lost above 43% equilibrium relative humidity (ERH) and about 110N breaking strength. The values for the BET monolayer moisture content of various products were almost identical to their initial moisture content, indicating the adequacy of the processing conditions for snacks of satisfactory shelf-life if packed immediately in moisture-impermeable packets.     

Changes in some nutritional,bioactive and morpho-physiological properties of common bean depending on cold storage and seed moisture contents

Seed moisture content is one of the most important storage parameters affecting the quality of stored common beans. This study was conducted to investigate the changes in some nutritional, bioactive and morpho-physiological properties of common bean stored at three different seed moisture contents (6.4, 11.7 and 17.3%), 4 °C and 65% RH for 12 months. Significant differences were determined in terms of examined properties depending on different seed moisture contents before and after storage. Protein, essential mineral contents, total phenolic content, bulk density, true density and electrical conductivity decreased consistently as seed moisture content increases both before and after storage. On the contrary, dimensional properties, shape index values, thousand grain weight and total flavonoid content increased linearly with increase of seed moisture content both before and after storage. As a result, protein, essential mineral contents (potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, manganese), antioxidant activity, total phenolic and total flavonoid content of common bean significantly decreased at the end of 12 months storage compared with before storage, while the contents of heavy metals such as Co, Sn and Pb increased after storage. In addition to, highly significant and positive correlations were determined between L* and WI, b* and C*, Dg and Da, Dg and Sa, Sa and Sv, P and K, P and Ca, ash and pH, Zn and Cu, Se and As. The results of this study clearly indicated that low seed moisture content was the most suitable to maintain the quality of common beans for long-term storage.     

SIMULATION of CANOLA and BARLEY DRYING IN A DEEP BED

A mathematical model for a radial, continuous-crossflow dryer was modified and used to simulate the drying process in a fixed bed dryer. the predictions of the adapted model were compared with experimental test results for canola drying at the following drying conditions: airflow rates of 0.4 and 0.6 kg/(m²s), inlet air humidity 0.098 and 0.0114 kg/kg of dry air, initial grain moisture content 0.221 and 0.251 kg/kg dry basis. In both tests the inlet drying air temperature was kept at an average of 67.5°C. At the end of canola drying, the mean drying air temperature predicted by our model was within 1°C of the measured temperature and the mean predicted moisture content was within 0.5% of the measured moisture content, dry basis. Also, our model was verified against experimental results for barley published by other authors and against predictions from a published model for barley. the predictions from our model were in good agreement with the published experimental and predicted data. Simulations results for canola and barley drying in the same thickness of a deep bed were compared. Simulations were conducted to investigate the effects of canola properties such as bulk density and dryinig conditions of air such as airflow rate and air humidity on drying in deep beds of canola.     

Splitting and dehulling lentil (Lens culinaris): Effects of seed size and different pretreatments

A conservative estimate of 800 000 T of red-cotyledon microsperma lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus) is consumed annually after postharvest processing into split dehulled seed. This process consists of cleaning the seed of foreign matter, brief immersion in water, spin-drying, standing to temper, separation into seed size fractions, dehulling/splitting and final separation. The effects of seed size (4 and 4.5 mm fractions), immersion times (1, 5, 10 and 30 min), temperature (19° and 36°) and duration (0, 30, 60 and 120 min) of air drying, and tempering time (0 and 24 h), on the efficiency of dehulling and splitting lentil were examined. Dehulling efficiency (%) was estimated as the sum of split dehulled seed, whole dehulled seed, and whole hulled seed (whole seeds are separated for recycling to the dehuller). Dehulling efficiency was best with the small seed fraction (4 mm), an immersion time of 1 min, no air drying, and a tempering time of 24 h. The drying air temperature did not have a significant effect on dehulling efficiency. Dehulling efficiency was highest with a low seed moisture content.     

BULK VOLUME SHRINKAGE DURING DRYING of WHEAT and CANOLA

The bulk volume shrinkage of canola and wheat were measured for the temperature range of 20–80C and relative humidity range of 15–90%. the volume decreased exponentially with time as seed moisture content was reduced. For canola, an oilseed, shrinkage and moisture reduction were linearly correlated with a shrinkage coefficient of about 1.0. For wheat, a starchy grain, the relationship was also linear but the coefficient was greater than 1.3. the shrinkage coefficients for both wheat and canola did not show a correlation with drying temperature but varied linearly with relative humidity of the drying air.     

Impact of a polyethylene liner on the storage of winter canola seed in unaerated steel bins

Winter canola has potential as a rotational crop for small cereal grains throughout the southern United States. However, canola is typically harvested just before wheat and is not yet considered a primary crop in the south. This combined with already tight storage capacity has led producers and facility managers to look for ways to press older, low-quality storage bins into service. One idea has been the use of grain bag material as a liner for older bins that lack functional aeration systems. This project compared the storage quality of canola in lined and unlined steel grain bins without aeration. There was not a significant difference in storage quality between the lined and unlined bins. Canola seed at 5.4% moisture content was stored without loss in grade for eleven months. Lining the entire bin with grain bag material does not appear to be justified, however, there may be merit in lining the bottom of older grain storage bins to prevent moisture intrusion.     

Changes in Chemical Composition of Winged Bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus L.) during Seed Development

Three cultivars of winged bean were analyzed for total dry matter, crude fat, nitrogenous constituents, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, copper and cooking behavior at different stages of seed maturity. Accumulation of dry matter, crude fat and nitrogen occurred during seed development whereas nonprotein nitrogen and tryptophan contents decreased significantly. Reduction in poly-phenol content was observed at all the stages of seed development. There was a significant decrease in total phosphorus content with concomitant increase in the proportion of phytate phosphorus throughout the seed development. In matured seeds, phytate phosphorus accounted for 66—73% of total phosphorus. A reduction in zinc content was noticed in all the cultivars studied. In contrast, calcium, magnesium, iron and copper contents of seeds of different stages of maturity did not exhibit marked differences.