Change of moisture distribution and migration in fresh corn during storage using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and Magnetic Resonance Imaging

摘要

Background: Corn is an important staple food and maintaining its quality during storage requires knowledge of its water content. Materials and Methods: The effect of storage temperature on the distribution and migration of water in corn during storage was studied using low field nuclear magnetic resonance and imaging techniques. Relaxation times and variations in the proton density increased at higher storage temperatures. At 10 °C, the T2 relaxation time indicating water migration was lowest; the three water proton densities for bound, weakly-bound and free water changed smoothly; and the images of proton density indicating corn moisture exhibited a similar brightness. Results: The influence of temperature on corn water content during storage is significant. Moisture migration increased with temperature; at 10 °C it was minimal and the water content was relatively stable. Conclusions: Therefore, 10°C is suitable for long-term storage of corn with a small influence of moisture on its quality.