Eur. Phys. J. E (2006) 20: 29-36
https://doi.org/10.1140/epje/i2004-10160-7

Regular Article

Imbibition, desiccation and mechanical deformations of zein pills in relation to their porosity

¹ Unité de Recherche sur les Polysaccharides leurs Organisations et Interactions (URPOI), Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), Nantes Cedex 03, BP 71627, 44316, France
² UMR 7608, Laboratoire FAST (Fluides, Automatique et Systèmes Thermiques), Bât. 502, 91405, Orsay Cedex, France

^* e-mail: pauchard@fast.u-psud.fr

Received: 14 October 2004
Accepted: 14 March 2006
Published online: 11 May 2006

Abstract

This paper deals with the interaction between zein (the main protein component of corn grain) and water. It induces macroscopic properties changes and may allow for the understanding of the basis of zein endosperm structure: vitreous endosperm is compact and floury endosperm is porous, giving the endosperm its hard and soft textures, respectively. In that aim porous pills made by compaction of zein powder submitted to different hydration/dehydration processes have been prepared and studied. In particular, imbibition measurements of a pure-water drop deposited onto a zein pill were performed. Also, desiccation of a zein pill previously imbibed induces strong mechanical stresses leading to crack formation and/or large deformations.