Changes of moisture distribution and migration in fresh ear corn during storage

Journal of Integrative Agriculture

Jing-sheng LIU¹  Hao WANG²  Hao LI³  Ming-zhu ZHENG³  Wei-hong MIN³ 

[1] Correspondence WANG Hao, Mobile: [phone];College of Food Science and Engineering/The National Engineering Laboratory on Wheat and Corn Further Processing, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, P.R.China;The National Engineering Laboratory on Wheat and Corn Further Processing, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, P.R.China;

关键词: fresh ear corn;    NMR;    MRI;    moisture distribution;    moisture migration;   

DOI  :  

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Understanding of moisture changes in fresh ear corn (Zea mays L.) during storage is imperative for maintaining fresh corn quality. The changes of moisture distribution and migration in fresh ear corn during storage were investigated using low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Water loss was greater than water migration in fresh ear corn within the first hour of storage; thereafter, water loss was weaker than water migration. With the extension of storage time, the signal intensity of MRI in different parts of sliced fresh corn with cob showed a downward trend, and the rate of signal intensity reduction was higher in the peripheral area than at the central part of sliced fresh corn with cob. The relative proportion of bound water increased with a concomitant drop in that of free water, when the total water content reduced in fresh ear corn under storage. In conclusion, NMR and MRI are useful and non-destructive tools for real-time monitoring of moisture distribution, migration, and loss in fresh ear corn during storage to assess its quality. These results can be used for future design of the preserving and processing conditions for fresh ear corn.

【 授权许可】

Unknown