Fracture Mechanics of Vitreous and Mealy Wheat Endosperm

The concepts of fracture mechanics have been applied to quantify the fracture behaviour of vitreous and mealy wheat endosperm in a single wheat cultivar. Two new techniques were developed and used to measure fracture toughness (energy per unit area of fracture) of individual grains: (1) load cycling of a notched grain; and (2) instrumented microtome cutting. The load cycling method gave average fracture toughness values for vitreous endosperm of 130 ± 42 J/m² and 50 ± 12 J/m² for mealy endosperm. Fracture toughness measured using the instrumented microtome gave values of 159 ± 7·4 J/m² for vitreous endosperm and 44 ± 4·6 J/m² for mealy endosperm. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that vitreous endosperm has stronger starch-protein matrix bonding than mealy endosperm. The effect of changing grain moisture on cutting fracture properties was investigated. As moisture decreased, values of fracture toughness increased for both mealy and vitreous endosperms at the same rate down to 11% moisture content, below which fracture toughness increased more rapidly for vitreous than for mealy endosperm. Intra-grain fracture toughness was also investigated by cutting successive sections across individual wheat grains. These showed a decrease in cutting force from the outside of the grain towards the centre, and then an increase near the crease. The critical particle size at which a transition from brittle to ductile failure occurs was calculated, giving predicted values of 1·2 mm for vitreous endosperm and 0·9 mm for mealy endosperm at 15% moisture content. This shows that vitreous endosperm undergoes more ductile deformation during deformation than does mealy endosperm, and that larger particle sizes are predicted for vitreous endosperm as a result of milling.     

Investigation of the fracture mode for hard and soft wheat endosperm using the loading–unloading bending test

Investigation of the fracture mode for hard and soft wheat endosperm was aimed at gaining a better understanding of the fragmentation process. Fracture mechanical characterization was based on the three-point bending test which enables stable crack propagation to take place in small rectangular pieces of wheat endosperm. The crack length can be measured in situ by using an optical microscope with light illumination from the side of the specimen or from the back of the specimen. Two new techniques were developed and used to estimate the fracture toughness of wheat endosperm, a geometric approach and a compliance method. The geometric approach gave average fracture toughness values of 53.10 and 27.0 J m⁻² for hard and soft endosperm, respectively. Fracture toughness estimated using the compliance method gave values of 49.9 and 29.7 J m⁻² for hard and soft endosperm, respectively. Compressive properties of the endosperm in three mutually perpendicular axes revealed that the hard and soft endosperms are isotropic composites. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation of the fracture surfaces and the energy–time curves of loading–unloading cycles revealed that there was a plastic flow during crack propagation for both the hard and soft endosperms, and confirmed that the fracture mode is significantly related to the adhesion level between starch granules and the protein matrix.     

Rheological Behaviour of Wheat Endosperm—Proposal for Classification Basedon the Rheological Characteristics of EndospermTest Samples

A simple, rapid method for the preparation of parallelepiped-shaped samples from a grain is used in the proposal of a study of the rheological behaviour of wheat endosperm. Compression rupture, creep and relaxation tests are used. A series of compression tests on mealy and vitreous endosperm of different wheat varieties (soft, hard and durum) shows that the rheological properties are influenced by both the genetic origin and grain vitreousness. The main mechanical characteristics—Young's modulus, elastic and rupture stresses, rupture energy and rupture strain—were determined at moisture contents of 12 to 17%. The influence of the moisture content on rheological behaviour is demonstrated. The vitreous endosperm of some wheat varieties displays considerable ductility before rupture. The nature of this plasticity was analysed by creep and relaxation tests on hard and soft wheats. Comparison of the different endosperm rheology values clarifies the notions of vitreousness and hardness. Wheat classification based on endosperm mechanical characteristics is proposed. It seems that Young's modulus characterises hardness whereas rupture energy is related to the vitreousness of the different varieties studied. Entering the results in a Young's modulus–rupture energy system leads to a classification of wheats according to two essential factors: hardness of varietal origin and vitreousness of cultural origin.     

Endosperm Texture in Wheat

One of the fundamental means of classifying wheat is through its endosperm texture. It impacts significantly on the milling process affecting among other things flour particle size and milling yield. Hardness in wheat is largely controlled by genetic factors but it can be affected by the environment and factors such as moisture, lipid, and pentosan content. The principal genetic locus controlling endosperm texture in wheat, Ha, is located on the chromosome 5D. At this locus several genes, notably the puroindolines, have been identified. Puroindolines are the major components of the 15 kDa protein band associated with starch granules that is more abundant in soft wheats than in hard. Recently the puroindolines have been shown to enhance grain hardness in rice. In this review we discuss the structure of hard and soft wheat endosperm with particular emphasis on when differences in endosperm texture can be detected in the developing seed. The role of the environment and other factors that may affect the endosperm texture is also examined together with the role of the puroindoline genes at theHa locus. Finally, we compare endosperm hardness in wheat and in barley.     

Effect of endosperm starch granule size distribution on milling yield in hard wheat

Increased flour yield in hard wheat is associated with increased endosperm rheology index, calculated from strength and stiffness as measured by the SKCS. A study of the fractured endosperm of hard wheat varieties grouped according to similar rheology index values was performed using environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). Differing microstructures and fracture patterns were observed between each group. Specifically, the group representing high rheology index had a greater concentration of small starch granules in prismatic cells. Samples of diverse wheat germplasm were grown at two sites and subjected to laboratory milling. Starch granule size distribution (SGSD) analysis using a laser diffraction method was undertaken on a subset of samples in triplicate representing a range in flour yield. The results supported an hypothesis for a significant influence of SGSD on flour yield of hard wheat varieties. In addition, a significant part (R²>0.40 (p<0.05) at two sites) of the association appeared to be under genetic control. Results indicate a more even gradation of distributions involving an increase in the sample volume % of small granule (types B and C) and decrease in type A granules. This was associated with increased rheology index values and higher flour yield. The ratio of type A:C starch granules accounted for up to 58% (p<0.05) of the variation in flour yield in the samples studied. Thus, rheological parameters measured using a rapid SKCS screening method can be linked to the genetic regulation of SGSD with implications for the improvement of commercial processing performance of hard wheat.     

小麦籽粒发育时期Puroindolines蛋白与硬度的关系

为探讨Puroindolines蛋白的表达特点与籽粒硬度的关系,采用改进的SDS-PAGE凝胶分析了不同硬度小麦品种的籽粒在各个发育时期Puroindolines蛋白的表达.结果表明,不同硬度的小麦籽粒中总Puroindolines(PinA和PinB)蛋白的表达量差异不大,但与胚乳淀粉颗粒结合的Puroindolines蛋白量差异非常明显:在籽粒发育的不同时期,软质小麦籽粒淀粉粒表面结合的Puroindolines蛋白量显著高于硬质小麦;基因型同为野生型但硬度有差异的品种,籽粒较软的材料其淀粉粒表面结合的Puroindolines蛋白量也明显高于较硬的材料,说明该蛋白的结合特性是决定籽粒硬度的直接原因.结果还表明,胚乳中水溶性戊聚糖与籽粒硬度关系密切.     

Analysis of the milling reduction of bread wheat farina: Physical and biochemical characterisation

The reduction of coarse farina during milling from five representative hard and soft French bread wheat cultivars was followed step by step. Particle size distribution of the milled products and energy required to dissociate wheat farina revealed large differences between cultivars. A grinding index (required energy to produce 1 kg of flour), K′, corresponding to the energy necessary to obtain a given amount of flour, was found to be related with both grain hardness and vitreousness. Analysis of particle size distribution suggested a major influence of hardness in the production of fine particles <50 μm during the reduction process. On the other hand, vitreousness appeared to impact on the extent of coarse particle size reduction. Differences in farina reduction behaviour of the wheats analysed were related to their endosperm mechanical properties as determined by compression tests and structural characteristics as measured by Hg intrusion porosity. Vitreousness appeared to affect the endosperm extensibility and degree of porosity. The profile of the different lipid and protein classes in the reduction products of two cultivars showing opposite behaviour as well as different PINA/PINB ratio were determined. The results suggest that the most resistant parts of the grain are enriched in glycolipids, whereas phospholipids appear associated with the most friable parts, at least in the soft wheat grains tested.     

Assessment of commercial milling potential of hard wheat by measurement of the rheological properties of whole grain

The single-kernel characterisation system (SKCS) 4100 instrument has previously been shown to provide in situ measurements of the rheological properties of the bran and endosperm layers of wheat, otherwise only possible following their isolation by dissection or machining. The current study has confirmed that endosperm maximum stress (endosperm strength (ES) as measured using the SKCS 4100 correlates highly (r=0.898$r=0.898$) with compressive strength (maximum stress, σ_max) measurements performed on specimens of endosperm tissues of known dimensions, isolated from different subsamples of the same bulk wheat samples. This provides a means of scaling the stress axis of the crush–response profile plots to the Instron scale (MPa) so that the SKCS endosperm stress/strain curves for hard wheat, soft wheat and durum can be compared with Instron results presented in the literature. In addition, a simple method for the measurement of ES and stiffness, using the SKCS 4100, has been developed. The method has been shown to rank wheat samples according to their performance when processed on a 650 kg/h pilot mill. The criterion against which the SKCS-derived rankings were compared was the Milling Quality Index, which uses both the percentage flour extraction and Branscan speck count measurements.     

Moisture Distribution in a Mature Soft Wheat Grain by Three-Dimensional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Moisture-tempering is typically performed prior to first break in wheat milling operations to enhance separation of bran, germ, and endosperm. To improve the milling performance and to increase yield, a better knowledge of moisture distribution and migration in individual wheat grains during tempering is essential. The research described herein was conducted to demonstrate the non-destructive measurement of the three-dimensional (3D) distribution of moisture in a single wheat grain. A 3D magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique was adapted for the probing of single wheat grains at storage moistures (c.12% wet basis). The technique is demonstrated in this report on one grain. A 3D projection reconstruction (3DPR) technique was used to acquire high resolution proton density images. The spatial resolution of the images was 94×94×94 μm³. The 3D proton density images were related to the 3D moisture distribution in the wheat grain. At 12% moisture content, the moisture distribution in the starchy endosperm of the wheat was not uniform. The variation of the moisture distribution was from 7·3% to 16·4% wb.     

安徽麦区软质小麦籽粒品质和终端制品品质评价

为明确安徽大田生产环境下软质小麦籽粒和终端产品品质表现,评价优质软麦品种的加工适用性,本研究选取该区当前推广种植的24个软质小麦品种,对其籽粒和面粉的主要品质性状及其制品南方馒头和曲奇饼干的品质进行差异性、相关性分析,并以美国软白麦近五年的主要品质性状平均值为理想指标进行灰色关联度比较。结果表明,供试材料的硬度、面粉色泽b^*、湿面筋含量、面团形成时间、稳定时间等籽粒品质性状变异系数较大,而容重、面粉L^*值和吸水率变异系数较小。南方馒头品质性状中,白度差异最小,比容差异最大;曲奇饼干品质性状中,感官评分变异系数较大,饼干直径均值和变异系数都较小。蛋白质含量、湿面筋含量、稳定时间均符合弱筋标准(GB/T 17320-2013)的样品数为0。相关分析表明,容重、降落值、面粉L^*、b^*、白度与大部分性状间相关性不显著;籽粒硬度与水SRC和乳酸SRC均呈显著正相关,与湿面筋含量和面粉a^*值均呈显著负相关。蛋白质含量与面粉a^*值等7个指标均呈显著正相关,与面粉b     

山西小麦品种籽粒硬度与主要品质性状研究

为明确山西省近十年育成小麦新品种的籽粒硬度和品质状况,利用单籽粒谷物特性测定仪(SKCS)、DA7200多功能近红外分析仪,对来自山西省近十年审定的56个小麦新品种的籽粒硬度、蛋白质含量、出粉率等指标进行了检测和分析。结果发现,山西省近十年审定的小麦品种中,硬质麦比例较高,为78%,混合型麦和软质麦比例较低,分别为12%和8%;硬度指数范围较宽,为16.33～78.93。经相关分析,小麦籽粒硬度指数与被测品质性状均呈正相关关系,其中,与出粉率、吸水率、最大拉伸阻力均呈极显著正相关(P0.01)。硬质麦的蛋白质含量、湿面筋含量、出粉率、沉降值等品质参数均显著高于混合型麦和软质麦。混合型麦的蛋白质含量、湿面筋含量、出粉率、沉降值等品质参数略高于软质麦。     

软质小麦品质的辅助选择

为建立软质小麦品质的筛选和评价体系,对黄淮麦区和长江下游麦区20个不同硬度小麦品种的Puroindoline基因型以及全麦粉和面粉的部分相关品质性状进行了检测.结果表明,20个品种中,2个品种为Pina-D1b硬质突变型,6个品种为Pinb-D1b硬质突变型,其余12个品种为软质小麦;硬、软质小麦的全麦粉硬度和SDS沉淀值的差异均达到极显著水平,但碱水保持力差异不显著;硬、软质小麦面粉的碱水保持力和溶剂保持力均达到极显著差异.性状间的相关分析表明,全麦粉硬度与SDS沉淀值、面粉的碱水保持力、水溶剂保持力、碳酸钠溶剂保持力、蔗糖溶剂保持力均呈极显著相关,相关系数分别为0.64、0.94、0.94、0.91和0.81,SDS沉淀值与乳酸溶剂保持力相关也极显著,相关系数0.80.这些结果说明Puroindoline基因型检测、全麦粉硬度和SDS沉淀值检测可以作为软质小麦的早代筛选方法.     

黄淮南片小麦区域试验品种(系)的生产潜力及主要系谱分析

为掌握黄淮南片小麦品种(系)的生产潜力,对2009-2017年度黄淮南片小麦区试参试品种(系)进行分析。结果显示:(1)黄淮南片冬麦区已初步形成科研院所和企业双主体的育种体系,9年内参试品种(系)共283个,其中教学科研单位提供的参试品种(系)155个,通过国家审定的60个,育种效率为42.27%;农业企业提供的参试品种(系)115个,通过国家审定的44个,育种效率为38.26%;(2)黄淮南片小麦育种水平逐年提高,产量稳步增加,品种改良效果明显,9年间,冬水组小麦产量增加32.84kg·667m~(-2),年均增产3.65kg·667m~(-2),春水组产量增加22.38kg·667m~(-2),年均增产2.49kg·667m~(-2);(3)育种方法上仍以传统杂交育种为主,品种遗传同质化严重,抗逆性风险加大,283个参试品种(系)和107个审定品种中,以杂交育种方法育成的分别为269个(95.05%)和102个(95.33%)。分析参试品种的系谱发现,周麦系列和百农系列亲缘系数值(COP)之和为39.82,占一级系谱COP总和的18.02%;周麦系列COP之和为20.42,占二级系谱COP总和的7.73%。     

Water Vapor Diffusivity in Vitreous and Mealy Wheat Endosperm

The water vapor diffusivities of vitreous and mealy wheat endosperms were measured using diffusion cells containing wax-scaled cylinders of endosperm. The diffusion cells were incubated in a chamber that was maintained at a constant temperature and relative humidity. A water vapor gradient was created by filling each diffusion cell with desiccant. A steady-state condition was achieved within 24 h. The mean diffusivities for the vitreous endosperm samples of cvs Arizona and Len were 2·0 × 10^-8 cm²/s. The diffusivities for mealy samples of cvs Logan and Titan were 3·5 and 9·1 × 10^-8 cm²/2, respectively. The liquid water diffusivities of whole caryopses were similar for five vitreous and five mealy wheat samples tested. No change was detected in the diffusion mechanism for any of the samples in the temperature range tested. The energy of activation (E) was significantly (P < 0·05) higher for endosperm for cv. Len, a vitreous sample, than for cv. Titan, a mealy sample.     

陕西关中小麦品种籽粒硬度及测定方法研究

采用四种测定小麦硬度的方法对陕西关中地区33个小麦品种（品系）的籽粒硬度进行了评价，结果表明，陕西关中小麦有9．1属于硬麦，78．8％属于中硬麦，12．1％属于软麦。提出颗粒指数法（PSI），研磨体积法，近红外法（NIR），角质率法测定小麦硬度的评价标准。结果认为：PSI法，研磨体积法和NIR法测定结果的分布对应性较高，NIR法与其它测定方法相关性较高，高角率法有一定局限性。     

小麦春化发育相关蛋白质同工酶的研究

本研究对不同发育特性的小麦品种 ,进行春化、脱春化处理 ,经凝胶电泳分析表明 ,在冬小麦春化过程中 ,不仅植株可溶性蛋白质含量增加 ,而且有新蛋白质的产生。英国Mercia品种与中国京 84 1都产生 5 3.2、4 6kD两种新的蛋白质 ,且在春化、脱春化中稳定存在 ,这两种蛋白质正是春小麦有而冬小麦未经春化没有的 ,表明这两种蛋白质的产生与冬性小麦春化过程密切相关 ;同时在春化过程中过氧化物酶 (POD)、酯酶 (EST)酶带及活性发生显著变化且产生了与特异蛋白质分子量 (5 3.2kD)接近的新带 ,表明POD和EST与小麦通过春化发育有一定相关性 ,而6 磷酸葡萄糖脱氢酶与春化发育相关性较小 ,超氧化物歧化酶 (SOD)与春化发育基本无相关性     

青海小麦籽粒硬度等位变异研究

为了解小麦品种籽粒硬度的遗传多样性,利用单粒谷物硬度测定、PCR扩增和核苷酸测序技术,分析了66份青海小麦品种籽粒硬度主效基因的等位变异。结果表明,青海小麦以硬质类型为主,比例达到47.0%,混合麦比例为19.7%,软质麦比例为33.3%。硬度基因有5种组合类型:野生型、Pina-D1a/PinbD1b、Pina-D1a/Pinb-D1c、Pina-D1a/Pinb-D1x和Pina-D1b/Pinb-D1a。野生型小麦类型比例最高,占59.09%,SKCS硬度指数平均为44.12,变化范围为12.75~84.89。突变类型的品种籽粒均为硬质。因此,在青海硬质小麦可以通过突变类型的分子标记进行选育,软质小麦选育需在利用硬度基因分子标记筛选的基础上进一步考察籽粒硬度性状的表现型。     

Effects of variety and fertiliser nitrogen on alcohol yield, grain yield, starch and protein content, and protein composition of winter wheat

The effects of nitrogen (N) fertiliser on grain size and shape, starch and protein concentration, vitreosity, storage protein composition, and alcohol yield of two winter wheat varieties contrasting in endosperm texture were studied in a field trial in Herefordshire, UK in 2004. Averaged across varieties, the alcohol yield was 439 L/tonne for grain with a protein concentration of 11.5 g/100 g. The soft endosperm wheat variety Riband produced on average 7.7 L more alcohol per tonne of grain at a given protein concentration than the hard endosperm variety, Option. At the same time, N fertiliser was shown to have significant effects on alcohol production through its major influence on grain protein concentration. Averaged over both varieties, there was a reduction in alcohol yield of 5.7 L for each 10 kg increase in protein content per tonne of grain. The starch concentration of Riband was 2.9 g/100 g higher than Option at a given grain protein concentration, supporting its higher observed alcohol yields. A low conversion of starch to alcohol in this study (6.30 L/10 kg starch) compared to the theoretical value (6.61 L/10 kg starch) indicated that there is potential for improvement of this character. The traits relating to grain size and shape were principally influenced by genotype, and were not influenced by N fertiliser. Conversely, there were only minor genotypic effects on grain protein concentration and vitreosity. An important finding was that there were no interactions between variety and N treatment for any of the variables considered, indicating that the response of the two varieties to changes in applied N was the same, resulting in consistent differences in starch concentration and alcohol yield between genotypes at different levels of grain protein. An analysis of the composition of the wheat storage proteins by size-exclusion chromatography showed that the gliadins increased on average by 0.56 g per g increase in total grain protein and were quantitatively the major protein fraction, suggesting that selection for low gliadin content may be a desirable means by which to reduce grain protein, and thereby increase alcohol yield in wheat. The relationship between alcohol yield per unit area and applied N rate was described by a quadratic function and the maximum alcohol yield per unit area was ca. 3630 L/ha. Statistical analysis suggested that the economic optimum rate of N applied for grain yield was close to the optimum N rate for maximum alcohol productivity.     

The effect of ridge planting and earliness of durum wheat varieties on sunn pest (Eurygaster spp.) damage and grain yield

Sunn pests (Eurygaster spp.) are among the most important insect pests of wheat (Triticum sativum L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Cultural practices can prevent or minimize common sunn pest (Eurygaster integriceps Puton) population densities and crop damage. A three-year field experiment (Jun 05 to Aug 07) was conducted in Diyarbakır in the southeast Antolia region of Turkey, to evaluate the effects of planting method (no-till ridge planting and conventional planting) and earliness of durum wheat (Triticum durum L.) varieties (early, mid-season and late varieties) on E. integriceps density, grain damage and overall grain yield. The effect of the planting method on the sunn pest density and percent of grains damaged by sunn pest was not significant; however, there was a significant difference among the different varieties used in this study. While Çeşit-1252 (late wheat variety) had the highest nymph density (11.2 nymphs m⁻²) and percent of sunn pest damaged grains (2.8%), Sarıçanak-98 (early wheat variety) had the lowest nymph density (4.3 nymphs m⁻²) and percent of sunn pest damaged grains (0.8%). Grain yield was the highest (5.99 t ha⁻¹) for Sarıçanak-98 while there was no significant difference between Aydın-93 (5.06 t ha⁻¹) and Çeşit-1252 (4.99 t ha⁻¹). In conclusion, this study suggests that planting methods may not have a significant effect on sunn pest density, percent of sunn pest damaged grains or grain yield; however, the use of early durum wheat varieties, such asSarıçanak-98, may reduce sunn pest population densities, percent of damaged grains, allowing increases in grain yield in southeast Anatolia region, Turkey.     

Study of the microstructure of durum wheat endosperm using X-ray micro-computed tomography

Durum wheat grains are used for producing food, such as pasta or couscous. The grain mechanical properties which are linked to its internal micro-structure (i.e. endosperm porosity) are known to determine its ability to produce semolina during milling. The proportion of grains having porous endosperm in a batch appears therefore as a critical quality factor for the durum wheat value chain. Our objective was to investigate the ability of X-ray micro-tomography (μCT) method to describe the porous or vitreous counterpart structures in the endosperm of durum wheat grains. We selected two different durum wheat samples displaying vitreous or partially porous endosperms. The grains were analyzed using μCT at two pixel sizes (1 μm or 7 μm). The μCT data collected at 7 μm pixel size were used for qualitative classification of grains according to apparent distribution curve of the porosity parameters. Analysis of μCT images at 1 μm pixel size allowed us to propose pore size classification in the vitreous and porous parts of the endosperm in three durum wheat grain. Results are used to better describe the durum-wheat endosperm microstructure, but requires long scanning periods.