Grain physical properties important to storage and transport

The cereals are traded internationally as whole grains or as final rather than intermediate products. These include pasta foods and high value products containing cereals.

Therefore it is important the physical properties of cereals in order to predict grain pressure packing behavior and flow behavior include bulk density of the grain, the ratio of lateral to vertical pressure, the internal angle of friction and the coefficient of friction of grain on the bin wall.

For successful storage it is important to avoid excessive temperature, high moisture, predation by insects and other invertebrates. The important points of cereals properties for storage include:
*The soft floury endosperm. This favored by weevils as being a more easily eaten food that the vitreous endosperm. Hard vitreous grains are more denser and more difficult for insect to penetrate.

*The embryo. If this has been damaged at threshing or during handling, the inherent enzymes will break down the fat, leading to off-flavors in foods made from the grains.

*Size and shape of the grains. Small grains less than around 12 g per 1000 grains are not attacked by weevils.

Insect infestation deteriorated grain quality, Nutritional value in terms of thiamin content decreased in infested wheat together with changes in physiochemical properties including weight, density, increased uric acid and fat acidity increased moisture content and changes in crude fat, calorific value, true proteins, ash, crude proteins, crude fiber and non- protein.

The physical properties vary in the same way as the composition. In addition, harvesting, handling, storage and abuses during movement of grain from storage cause significant changes.

Storage can be for varying lengths of time, ranging from short term storage on farm for drying and waiting for advantages market iodations to long term storage for strategic reserves.

Grain ages during storage and changes it properties significantly, which means that processing properties change.
Grain physical properties important to storage and transport