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ARS Home » Plains Area » Fargo, North Dakota » Edward T. Schafer Agricultural Research Center » Cereal Crops Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #135482
Title: THE USE OF FLUORESCEIN DYE TO STUDY THE MOVEMENT OF WATER INTO WHEAT KERNELS

Author
item SHI, YUXIN - BUHLER INC. MPLS, MN
item Hareland, Gary
item D'APPOLONIA, BERT - CER SCI, NDSU, FARGO, ND

Submitted to: Journal of Zhengzhou Institute of Technology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/20/2001
Publication Date: 6/20/2001
Citation: Shi, Y., Hareland, G.A., D'Appolonia, B.L. 2001. The use of fluorescein dye to study the movement of water into wheat kernels. Journal of Zhengzhou Institute of Technology. 22(2):17-20.

Interpretive Summary: The movement of fluorescein dye in durum and soft wheat kernels was investigated during the wheat tempering process. Photomicrographs showed that the dye solution entered the grain primarily through the distal end or germ then progressed toward the proximal end of the kernel. Dye accumulations on the dorsal side of the kernels suggested either a faster rate of penetration or greater accumulation of dye in these areas. The apoplast and microcapillary spaces within the cell walls served as water distribution channels. The movement pattern of fluorescein was similar for both durum and soft wheat. However, the rate of penetration or degree of accumulation of dye appeared to be greater in the soft wheat. The dye technique is simple, fast, and does not require complicated skills and could be potentially used to study water movement in other cereal grains.

Technical Abstract: The dispersion of fluorescein dye in water was investigated during the tempering process in wheat kernels. Durum and soft wheat kernels were immersed in fluorescein (free acid crystalline) solution (1%, pH7.54) for 12,24 and 48 hours. The fluorescein pattern showed that the dye solution entered the grain primarily through the distal end or germ, then progressed toward the proximal end. Dye accumulations on the dorsal side of the kernels suggest either a faster rate of penetration or greater accumulation in these areas. The apoplast including microcapillary spaces in the cell wall serve as water distribution channels. The movement pattern of the fluorescein was similar for both durum and soft wheat. However, the rate of penetration or degree of accumulation appeared to be greater in the soft wheat. This dye technique is simple, fast, and does not require complicated skills. It may be used to study dye-water distribution within other cereal grains.