Date of Award

Spring 2014

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Agricultural and Biological Engineering

Committee Chair

Linda Mason

Committee Co-Chair

Klein Ileleji

Abstract

Hermetic storage has been shown to be effective in controlling insect pests and maintaining grain quality of dry grains at 13% moisture and below. However, the feasibility and use of hermetic storage for grains at intermediate mid-moisture levels under the influence of the sub-Saharan African weather conditions is relatively unknown. Hermetic storage experiments were conducted on grade 1 "6297 and 6333 VT RIB" hybrid corn under controlled temperature conditions at 10 degrees centigrade and 25 degrees centigrade at target approximate moisture content levels of 11, 15, 18 and 21% wet basis for a total storage period of 6 months. Corn quality was evaluated by using mold counts, aflatoxin levels, free fatty acids, germination, gas composition, and nutritional composition. The results showed that hermetic storage is effective at suppressing mold growth, minimizing aflatoxins levels and maintaining the nutritional content of corn stored at 11 and 15% MC w.b. Non-hermetic storage was better at preserving germination. Mold count, aflatoxin, free fatty acids generally increased with temperature, moisture content and storage time.

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