The objective of the present work was to analyse the effects of initial moisture content, drying parameters and storage period in grain quality. The experiment was installed in Campinas Agronomic Institute (IAC), using two genotypes of common wheat (Triticum aestivum L), one with spike dormancy (IAC 24), harvested with 30.0%; 21.4% and 12.2% moisture content and the other without it (IAC 289), harvested with 35.0%; 23.4% and 12.5% moisture content; additionally, one hard wheat genotype (Triticum durum L.) without dormancy (IAC 1003), harvested with 31.6%, 22.2% and 11.7% moisture content was also analysed. Drying operations were performed at 40, 60 and 80 ºC under an air flow of 20m³ min-1.m-2. Dried grains were then stored in polyethylene packets for a period of 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8-months at 20±2ºC. Grain quality parameters analysed were number of falls, viscosity, general force of gluten and hectolitre weight. The genotype IAC 289 presented an increase on alpha-amylase activity due to harvest delay. Harvest anticipation and drying process had no effect on grain quality, whereas storage period improved the technological quality of the wheat flour.
alpha-amylase; Triticum aestivum; Triticum durum
