Abstract
The effect of drying air temperature on the mechanical properties of corn kernels was investigated. Corn was dried at drying temperatures of 40, 50, 60 and 70°C and air flow rate of 1.8 kg/min in a convective dryer. The kernels were then loaded uniaxially in a material testing machine at a loading rate of 3 mm/min, up to the rupture point. An increase in drying temperature from 40 to 70°C increased kernel deformation at the rupture point by an average of 12%. Moreover, values of force, stress, toughness, and modulus of elasticity of corn decreased on average by 21, 26, 36, and 38%, respectively.
Notes
ns = Not significant. *Significant at p < 0.05. **Significant at p < 0.01.
Different superscript letters show differences between means of homogeneous groups.
Values presented with standard error.
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