Determination of Carbon Dioxide Changes and Some Mechanical Properties of Siyez Wheat Seeds in Different Moisture Content

The changes in carbon dioxide (CO2) respiration rate and some mechanical properties of unhulled siyez wheat (Triticum monococcum L.) in different moisture contents (5, 10.5, 15, 20, 25%) were investigated in this study. The seeds were storaged in the temperature and moisture test chamber at 10 °C for 3 months. At the end of this period, CO2 changes were measured thourghout 120 hours at 5, 10.5 and 15% moisture contents and 26 and 29 hours at 20 and 25% moisture contents. As a result of the study, CO2 levels of 5, 10.5, 15, 20 and 25% moisture contents were ranged 504-555 ppm, 510-578 ppm, 568-1074 ppm, 762-9999 ppm and 1500-9999 ppm, respectively. Minimum CO2 respiration rate was determined as 0.06 mgCO2 kg-1 h-1 in 5 and 10.5% moisture content at 120th hours. The maximum CO2 respiration rate was determined as 18.09 mgCO2 kg-1 h-1 at 1th hour in 25% moisture content. It was determined that the some engineering properties increased due to increased moisture content. Depending on the results obtained, the degradation of the seeds will accelerate and the indoor environmental conditions (temperature and relative humidity) in storage may be adversely affected by high moisture contents. The lower respiration rates in seeds with different moisture contents were determined at 5% moisture content. However, it is determined that the seeds of wheat can be stored in 10.5% moisture content since storage at 5% moisture content may cause more cooling or ventilation cost