Study of the microstructure of durum wheat endosperm using X-ray micro-computed tomography

• Published in: Journal of cereal science Vol. 96; p. 103115
• Main Authors: Besançon, Lydie, Rondet, Eric, Grabulos, Joël, Lullien-Pellerin, Valérie, Lhomond, Leslie, Cuq, Bernard
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01-11-2020; Elsevier
• Subjects: Durum wheat grains; Endosperm structure; Food engineering; Life Sciences; Porosity; X-ray micro-tomography; X-ray micro-tomography; Durum wheat grains; Porosity; Endosperm structure
• ISSN: 0733-5210; 1095-9963
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcs.2020.103115

Durum wheat grains are used for producing food, such as pasta or couscous. The grain mechanical properties which are linked to its internal micro-structure (i.e. endosperm porosity) are known to determine its ability to produce semolina during milling. The proportion of grains having porous endosperm in a batch appears therefore as a critical quality factor for the durum wheat value chain. Our objective was to investigate the ability of X-ray micro-tomography (μCT) method to describe the porous or vitreous counterpart structures in the endosperm of durum wheat grains. We selected two different durum wheat samples displaying vitreous or partially porous endosperms. The grains were analyzed using μCT at two pixel sizes (1 μm or 7 μm). The μCT data collected at 7 μm pixel size were used for qualitative classification of grains according to apparent distribution curve of the porosity parameters. Analysis of μCT images at 1 μm pixel size allowed us to propose pore size classification in the vitreous and porous parts of the endosperm in three durum wheat grain. Results are used to better describe the durum-wheat endosperm microstructure, but requires long scanning periods.
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•μCT was used to describe the internal microstructure of durum wheat grains endosperm.•μCT at 7 μm pixel size allowed qualitative discrimination of grains according to vitreousness.•μCT at 1 μm pixel size allowed describing distribution of internal porosity in the endosperm.•Porosity characteristics can be used to describe the dense and porous structures.