Development of new methods to assess intercultivar variation in wheat gluten elasticity and functional properties
2007 Impact statement- Mulvaney, Steven J
abstract
The long-term goal of this project is to address the need of the U.S. wheat markets for rapid, science-based methods of assessing the elasticity (wheat quality) of wheat flours from different U.S. wheat classes. The elastic properties of wheat gluten (hydrated wheat proteins) are unique, but there are still many challenges to understanding the biochemical basis for differences in the elasticity of wheat gluten. The approach used here is to consider wheat gluten as a cross-linked polymer system and to use a fundamental polymer science-based approach to first characterize gluten`s viscoelastic properties and then relate those properties to the cereal proteins.
submitted by
- Mulvaney, Steven J | Associate Professor
issue being addressed
This work was prompted by the fact that current methods of assessing wheat quality are mainly based on solution chemistry properties of the individual wheat proteins of a wheat cultivar, which themselves do not possess the interesting elastic properties of whole gluten or dough. Curent tests are also slow. Therefore, we are developing new methods and instruments to measure gluten viscoelasticity rapidly, which would be suitable for use by mills in blending wheats to specifications.
response
We have developed a plan of work that integrates cereal chemistry, polymer science, and rheology to start on the project. We have developed a rheological method to separate wheats of the same class. Over the next year our plan will be presented to wheat commissions/wheat quality personnel such as U.S. Wheat Associates, industry users of wheat, GIPSA, and more. This work has resulted in a prototype rapid method for determining wheat quality.
impact assessment
The project was only started in October of 2005. However, the work has allowed many in the wheat industry (business and government) to appreciate the role that fundamental rheology can play in the wheat breeding, processing and classification systems.
academic priority area
- Land-Grant Mission | CALS academic priority
has geographic focus
- Sweden | country
- Tompkins County | county
- Washington D.C. | federal district
- Washington | state
- New York State | state
- Oklahoma | state
- Missouri | state
funding source description
GIPSA, USDA-ARS
collaborators
- USDA ARS
- USDA-GIPSA
- Oklahoma State Univ
- Perten Instruments AB
key personnel
- Patricia Rayas-Duarte
- Rangan Chinnaswamy
mission focus
- research | project type
From CALS annual faculty reporting. Imported on August 5, 2008