Abstract: The 53 maize varieties from the Huanghe, Huaihe and Haihe Plain, China's main maize-producing zone, were studied using a Brabender Lab-station of DSE-25 Twin-Screw Extruder. Relationship between the extrusion properties and quality properties of maize varieties was studied. The results showed that there were great differences in radial expansion ratio, bulk density, water-solubility index (WSI), water-absorption index (WAI), and hardness among extrudates of the varieties. Compared with the summer maize varieties, spring maize varieties had higher radial expansion ratio, higher WAI, higher output, lower WSI and lower specific mechanical energy (SME). Except the test weight, 100-kernel weight and 100-kernel volume of the varieties were correlated significantly with radial expansion ratio, torque, the 5th zone pressure and output of extrudates. Extrudates of maize varieties with higher starch content, lower protein content and lipid content had higher radial expansion ratio, lower bulk density, lower hardness, higher torque, higher the 5th zone pressure and SME. Pasting properties of maize varieties were correlated with extrusion properties. Pasting-parameter could be used to predict extrusion properties of maize varieties.

Key words: Maize (Zea mays L.), Extrusion, Quality property, Twin-Screw Extruder