Determination of Spectral Characteristics and Moisture Distribution in Wheat Grains After Sorption, Thermal, and Natural Drying.

The seed drying process is one of the most important aspects of post-harvest treatment, which determines the quality of the final product, cost accounting, and storage capacity. Sorption drying is of great scientific and practical importance due to its ability to gently remove moisture, which improves seed quality and ensures energy efficiency. In this study, wheat grains with an initial moisture content of 22% were dried to a moisture content of 13% using sorption, thermal, and natural air drying. The seed germination capacity after drying was 97%, 93%, and 95%, respectively. The effect of different drying methods on the morphological characteristics, microstructure, and moisture content of wheat grains was studied using a combination of experimental techniques. ATR-MIR and MAS NMR analysis revealed the biochemical stability of sorption-dried grains and the complete preservation of characteristic protein amide bands, indicating the absence of molecular degradation. Statistically significant differences in wheat grains after thermal and sorption drying were observed in luminescence peak intensities and standard deviation of the main spectral band's half width. The MRI method demonstrated that sorption drying preserves optimal grain tissue microstructure while maintaining proper moisture levels and distribution prior to germination, as well as supporting natural mass transfer processes and moisture distribution evolution during dehydration.