Effect of Enzymes Action on Crushing Strength of Sunflower Kernels to Compressive Loading.

The crushing strength of enzyme-treated and untreated sunflower kernels were measured in terms of compressive force and deformation at cracked point using Lloyd Tensometer provided with a 500 N compression load cell. This was done to determine the effect of enzyme action on sunflower kernel cell-wall structure, the extent of the cell-wall disruption by the enzymes, and how this could affect oil extraction systems. Four varieties of cell-wall degrading enzyme preparations were used. Deformation values for all the enzyme treated kernels were found to be lower than those for untreated kernels under both horizontal and vertical kernel loading positions. The enzyme treated kernels required lower compressive force to crush than the untreated kernels in all loading positions. Among the various enzymes, 'Viscozyme' treated kernels gave the lowest force to initiate crack. Thus, the extent of kernel cell-wall disruption was found to depend on the type of enzyme used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]