Influence of high and low molecular weight glutenins on stress relaxation of wheat kernels and the relation to sedimentation and rheological properties

The stress relaxation behaviour of 36 bread wheat kernel lines was studied using the generalized Maxwell model with 4-exponential terms. The data suggested four relaxation phases, two fast phases at shorter times of 1–10 s (τ₁ and τ₂) and two slow phases with longer times of ≈50–450 s (τ₃ and τ₄). The stresses were mainly correlated with kernel mechanical properties. There were differences in spring and stress elements of Glu-A1 null compared to Glu-A1 1 and 2∗. The Glu-B1 and Glu-D1 showed differences in the stresses. Glu-A3 only affected kernel mechanical properties while Glu-B3 showed differences in both quality parameters and mechanical properties. The relaxation times τ₃ were high for genotypes with high SDS-sedimentation volume and long mixing time. Genotypes with 45–60 s of τ₃ usually had good HMW-GS background and LMW allelic combination generally associated with good quality. As expected, genotypes with short relaxation and mixing times and poor sedimentation volume were samples with Glu-A1 null, Glu-B3 j 1B/1R, and with Glu-A3 e (null). Differences in stress relaxation were found among HMW-GS and LMW-GS alleles specially Glu-3 loci and the differences were related to SDS-sedimentation, mixing and alveograph data.