Abstract:
The objective of this research is to investigate effects of drying methods, drying temperatures and amylose content on grain strength during milling. Three paddy varieties (RD 6, KDML 105 and SR 60) were used in the experiment. The paddy was subjected to two drying methods, fluidization with tempering (FBTS) and fluidization with shade drying (FBS) at drying temperature of 90, 150 and 170℃. The changes of physical and chemical properties of paddy, including head rice yield, chalky grain, starch granule morphology, pasting properties, thermal properties (gelatinization and retrogradation characteristics) and degree of crystallinity were studied at the end of drying process. The experimental results showed that amylose content of RD 6, KDML 105 and SR 60 was 5.18, 16.83 and 24.60 g/100g dry flour, respectively. Statistical analysis showed that there were significant influence of above three main factors which were amylose content, drying temperatures and drying methods, as well as two-way (drying temperatures and amylose content) and three-way interactions of those main factors for percentage of head rice yield, pasting properties and thermal properties (gelatinization and retrogradation characteristics), but for the chalkiness of rice only the influence of above three main factors was significant. Drying at high temperatures led to increasing of head rice yield in all varieties (p≤0.05), except RD 6 when drying at 90 and 150℃ there was no significant (p>0.05). Drying with FBTS method, could increase head rice yield higher than drying with FBS method. Decreasing of the chalkiness of rice was seen from high drying temperature. In FBTS method, the chalkiness of rice was lower than FBS method (p≤0.05). For pasting properties which was measured by using RVA, pasting temperature increased with increasing in drying temperature. It was showed clearly in RD 6 dried under FBTS method. Drying at high temperatures decreased of peak viscosity and breakdown markedly in SR 60 (FBS method) and RD 6 (FBTS method). Decreasing of setback was also a result of drying at high temperature, SR 60 showed more reduction than other varieties, while FBTS method had no clearly effect on setback. For thermal properties were measured by using DSC, It was found decreasing of ∆H[subscript gel] and ∆H[subscript ret] (p≤0.05) when drying temperature was elevated especially drying with FBTS. Lowering of ∆H[subscript gel] and ∆H[subscript ret] as drying temperature increased was seen clearly in SR 60 (∆H[subscript gel]) and RD 6 (∆H[subscript ret]). The changes of starch granules were examined under SEM. The photograph showed partially melted of starch granules which indicated partially gelatinization occurred in some granules. The results from X-ray diffraction showed that degree of crystallinity had been decreased in all three varieties of rice. Therefore, increasing of head rice yield could be resulted from partially melting of starch granules, partially gelatinization and /or amylose-lipid complex during drying and tempering. These evidences supported the internal changes of grain which has led to strength of grain during milling.