Real-time 3D visualization and quantitative analysis of internal structure of wheat kernels

• 3D volumetric visualization models of wheat kernels were generated from CT images.
• Fissure analysis of insect damaged kernels show that the path is tortuous in nature.
• Porosity, anisotropy and permeability were determined from wheat kernel images.
• Spatial information determines incipient cracks between seed capsule and endosperm.

Food micro-structure plays a crucial role in determining the properties of its end products. Micro X-ray Computer Tomography (CT) provides an excellent tool to assess the internal components of food products non-destructively. This paper describes the 3D visualization and quantitative analysis of the internal features of Canadian Amber Durum Wheat kernel after damage caused by sprouting and insect infestation with Cryptolestes ferrugineus. Micro X-ray CT images were reconstructed and processed using image processing algorithms. Imaging techniques such as segmentation and thresholding were used to render visualization modules such as volume rendering, geometric reconstruction, skeletonization and absolute permeability experiment simulation. In addition to visualization, morphometric parameters such as porosity, anisotropy and absolute permeability were determined in a selected region of interest of the sprout damaged and insect infested wheat kernel. Our data revealed that sprouting damage is first evident in the middle section of the sprouted wheat kernel, and associated with greater porosity than the insect damaged kernel. Insect damage occurred on the bottom of the wheat kernel. Compared to sprout damaged kernels, insect damaged kernels had similar anisotropy. X-ray micro CT is a powerful tool for the non-invasive investigation of damage, and microstructure organization in biological materials such as single wheat kernels.