DETERMINATION OF MOISTURE-CONTENT IN MAIZE EARS

The paper seeks to establish a suitable oven drying standard for whole maize ears. The temperature/time combination of 130-degrees-C for 38 hours recommended for unmilled maize kernels (ISO 6540 and BS 4317) wa s taken as the starting point. The temperature was not varied, but the effects of time and shelling on the maize ear and its components were investigated. It was found that the oven drying rate for maize ears w as very similar to that of the kernels, due to the small fraction of m oisture in the cob and its rapid diffusion. ISO 6540 and BS 4317 stand ards for unmilled maize kernels are therefore also recommended for who le maize ears.