This work aims to determine the effect of soybean grain moisture content upon the maximum compression force values for fixed deformations and to determine the proportional deformity modulus under different compression positions. Edible beans with 0.45 to 0.13 (d.b.) moisture content were compressed uniaxialy between two parallel plates towards their three main axes. From the results it was concluded that the compression force decreased with moisture content increase, and the highest value corresponded to the direction perpendicular to cotyledon division (repose position). The proportional deformity modulus increases with the reduction of moisture content and with the deformation of the product, presenting values, for the studied moisture content, between 1.7 x 10(7) to 71.3 x 10(7) Pa, depending on grain position.
rheological properties; proportional deformity modulus; moisture content
