Rheological properties of wheat endosperm with a view on grinding behaviour

The suitability of wheat grains for milling varies widely according to a la rge number of factors, Among these factors, kernel hardness and vitreousnes s contribute to a considerable extent to the milling behaviour of wheats, y ield of mill streams and flour size distribution. An original method has be en developed to measure the rheological properties of cereal grain endosper m. The failure stress depends on both hardness and vitreousness of endosper m whereas Young's modulus appears to be related above all to hardness. In a ddition, depending on the kernel texture, the mode of fracture of the grain may be either fragile or ductile. The results of these rheological measure ments appear to be in good agreement with the milling behaviour: of the gra ins.