Dry matter loss in corn grains stored in airtight bags

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality and loss of dry matter of corn grain stored in airtight bags at different temperatures. To do this, corn grain with an initial moisture content of 14.8 and 17.9% was placed into polyethylene bags which were sealed and stored at temperatures of 15, 25 and 35 °C. For 150 days, at 30-day intervals, the concentrations of oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) in the bags were measured, and grain samples were taken to determine the moisture content, apparent specific dry matter weight, percentage of germination and commercial classification. Dry matter loss was estimated by means of a model obtained as a function of the respiratory rate of the grains. At 150 days, the loss of dry matter of the corn grains with a moisture content of 14.8% when stored, was approximately 3.5 times lower than that of the product with a moisture content of 17.9% when stored. Based on the results of the percentage of germination and apparent specific dry matter weight, the limit of a 0.015% loss in dry matter can be considered as the maximum permissible to maintain the integrity of corn grain in storage in sealed bags. At 150 days, only the corn grain, stored with moisture content of 17.9% and at a temperature of 35 °C, showed a lower classification (Type 2) than at the beginning of the experiment, and this condition coincided with a dry matter loss of 0.037 %.