Cereal Chem 66:30-33   |  VIEW ARTICLE

Diffusion of Gaseous Sulfur Dioxide into Corn Grain.

S. R. Eckhoff and M. R. Okos. Copyright 1989 by the American Association of Cereal Chemists, Inc. 

The diffusion path of gaseous sulfur dioxide into sound yellow dent corn was explored. The iodine-staining procedure used gave qualitative indication that the SO2 enters primarily through the tip cap in whole intact kernels. The SO2 enters at the tip cap, moves up through the area between the pericarp and seed coat, and then diffuses into the endosperm. A second pathway up through the germ into the endosperm was also observed. Complete penetration of gaseous SO2 into the kernel can be achieved in about 2 min. Damage to the pericarp increases the amounts of SO2 taken up by the grain.