Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 22, 2026
09:47
AFM and Microrheology in the Zebrafish Embryo Yolk Cell
Published on: November 29, 2017
Rheological studies utilizing various lots of zein in N,N-dimethylformamide solutions
Gordon W Selling1, John Lawton, Scott Bean
1Plant Polymer Research, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Peoria, Illinois 61604, USA. sellingg@ncaur.usda.gov
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
|November 10, 2005
Summary
Zein solutions in DMF exhibit non-Newtonian behavior, with viscosity increasing over time at higher temperatures. Lot-to-lot variations in zein significantly impact viscosity and its rate of change.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Zein, a prolamin protein from corn, is a potential biopolymer for various applications.
- Understanding its solution properties is crucial for processing and formulation.
- N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) is identified as a suitable solvent for zein.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the rheological behavior of zein solutions in DMF.
- To determine the influence of zein concentration, temperature, and time on solution viscosity.
- To explore the impact of zein lot-to-lot variability on rheological properties.
Main Methods:
- Rheological measurements (viscosity) of zein solutions in DMF.
- Systematic variation of zein concentration, temperature, and time.
- Analysis of viscosity changes with temperature using non-Arrhenius kinetics.
- Size exclusion chromatography (SEC) to assess zein composition.
Main Results:
- Zein solutions in DMF display non-Newtonian characteristics.
- Viscosity increases with time at elevated temperatures and high concentrations.
- The rate of viscosity increase follows a non-Arrhenius relationship above 40°C.
- Significant viscosity differences (up to doubling) were observed between different zein lots.
Conclusions:
- Zein solutions in DMF are complex fluids whose rheology is sensitive to processing conditions.
- Temperature and time significantly affect zein solution viscosity, with non-Arrhenius behavior at higher temperatures.
- Commercial zein quality varies considerably, impacting rheological outcomes.
- Compositional differences between zein lots are the likely cause of observed viscosity variations.
