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"You can see a lot by just looking"-Yogi Berra

Pericarp and aleurone of corn kernels

11/8/2016

 
​Outermost covering of a corn kernel is the pericarp, a part of the female plant similar to the outer covering of any fruit.  Its genetics is that of the female plant.  It can range from 2 to 20 cell layers thick, mostly depending on the genetics of the variety.  Immediately inside and basically fused to the pericarp is a very thin wall of the actual seed coat.  These tissues surround the whole kernel, including the embryo and the endosperm.  Endosperm is mostly composed of large cells with stored starch molecules but surrounded by a few layers of living specialized cells, higher in proteins called the aleurone layer.  These cells’ activities become dormant as abscisic acid increases with seed maturity.  When exposed to moisture, the embryo produces gibberellic acid, causing activity in the aleurone cells to produce the enzyme amylase.  This enzyme migrates into the starchy endosperm cells, breaking down the starch into glucose molecules for use in the embryo growth metabolism.
 
Pericarp and aleurone layers become important contributors to insect and pathogen resistance.  They are also the location of major pigments affecting the color of the grain and are the main components of corn bran with the aleurone layer and the embryo as the main source of protein in corn grain.
Lyle Olson
7/31/2020 07:28:11 am

This is in reference to corn used in the dry grind process to make ethanol.
I assume that pericarp is about 8-10% of the weight of the kernel, and it holds water. How much water can the pericarp hold (by weight) when it is "saturated", as it is in the dry grind process?

One source stated that pericarp can hold 200 - 250% of it's dry weight. Can you confirm this or explain this?

I have used "fractured" corn as an abrasive material to remove oxidation from metal surfaces like bin bottoms, spouting, conveyor housing, mixers, etc.

Thank you.


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    The purpose of this blog is to share perspectives of the biology of corn, its seed and diseases in a mix of technical and not so technical terms with all who are interested in this major crop. With more technical references to any of the topics easily available on the web with a search of key words, the blog will rarely cite references but will attempt to be accurate. Comments are welcome but will be screened before publishing. Comments and questions directed to the author by emails are encouraged.

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