On the diffusion constant of water in wheat

J Agric Food Chem. 2008 Jan 9;56(1):59-62. doi: 10.1021/jf0720537. Epub 2007 Dec 11.

Abstract

Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to obtain diffusion constants for water in the embryo and endosperm of wheat. Our experiments showed a significant difference between the diffusion constant for the two components. It was also shown that water diffusion in both the endosperm and embryo deviates from the typically observed Gaussian behavior in bulk fluids, showing a time-dependent diffusion constant. Diffusion constants for the embryo and endosperm were shown to differ by an order of magnitude. Using a model for restricted diffusion, information on the endosperm pore size and the embryo cell dimensions could be obtained.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Diffusion
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Seeds / chemistry
  • Time Factors
  • Triticum / chemistry*
  • Water / analysis
  • Water / chemistry*

Substances

  • Water