Viscoelastic behavior of maize kernel studied by dynamic mechanical analyzer

The creep recovery, stress relaxation, temperature-dependence and their frequency-dependence of maize kernel were determined within a moisture content range of 11.9% to 25.9% (w/w) by using a dynamic mechanical analyzer. The 4-element Burgers model was found to adequately represent the creep behavior of the maize seeds (R2 > 0.97). The 5-element Maxwell model was able to better predict the stress relaxation behavior of maize kernel than the 3-element Maxwell model. The Tg values for the maize kernels decreased with increased moisture content. For example, the Tg values were 114 °C and 65 °C at moisture content values of 11.9% (w/w) and 25.9% (w/w), respectively. The magnitude of the loss moduli and loss tangent and their rate of change with frequency were highest at 20.7% and lowest at 11.9% moisture contents. The maize kernel structure exhibited A-type crystalline pattern and the microstructure was found to expand with increase in moisture content.