MILLED RICE BREAKAGE DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL-CONDITIONS

Milled, long-grain rice was exposed to air at temperatures (T) of 20, 30, and 40 degrees C, and relative humidities (RH) ranging from 25 to 85%. The kernels then were subjected to a breakage test to determine t he extent of damage that occurred during each exposure condition. Incr easing air T levels produced higher amounts of broken kernels across t he RH range. Milled rice at higher moisture content (MC) levels sustai ned more extensive stress crack damage at low RH conditions and less s tress crack damage at high RH conditions relative to milled rice at lo wer MC levels. Varietal differences were also present, but were oversh adowed by MC effects.