Influence of drying temperatures on chemical composition of certain Croatian winter wheats

Four Croatian winter wheat cultivars at 20% moisture were dried at temperatures of 50, 60, 70 and 100 °C until the moisture decreased to 14%. Two cultivars had improved quality, whereas two cultivars had lower quality characteristics. The examinations involved determination of seed germination, enzymatic activities and chemical indicators of grain properties. On the basis of the obtained results it could be concluded that the drying temperature of wheat should not exceed 50 °C in order to preserve biologically undamaged grain. Gluten of lower swelling ability increases sedimentation value at drying temperatures of 60 and 70 °C. For wheat samples with high quality gluten the wheat grain drying process at a temperature of 50 °C improved the wheat quality regarding the increased ability of gluten swelling. An increase in the drying temperature did not influence the characteristics of starch components. Diastatic and proteolytic activities of wheat decreased at a higher drying temperature