Investigation of the effect of conditioning on the fracture of hard and soft wheat grain by the single-kernel characterization system: A comparison with roller milling

A study has been carried out on selected hard and soft Australian wheats to determine the effect of conditioning on the crush-response profiles (CRPs) measured using the single-kernel characterization system (SKCS 4100). In addition, the fragmentation patterns that resulted from crushing in the SKCS have been compared with those that resulted from the first break stage of roller milling. It was found that the CRPs were changed significantly (P<0.05) as a result of conditioning. In particular, the rheological parameters shell stiffness and strength and endosperm strength all decreased following conditioning. The fragmentation patterns, assessed using low-resolution microscopy and particle size analysis, that resulted from the crushing of unconditioned wheat in the SKCS were the closest match with those that resulted from first break milling of conditioned wheat. These results show how the SKCS may be used to monitor the progress of wheat conditioning prior to milling. They also provide support for the use of SKCS measurements on unconditioned wheat for the prediction of milling performance.