Modified atmosphere storage to prevent mould-induced nutritional loss in maize

Abstract

Effect of modified atmosphere storage systems having 60% CO₂, 40% CO₂ and 20% CO₂ in combination with N₂ and O₂ were studied on freshly harvested maize grain (var Deccan-103) to prevent moulding and loss of food reserves. Under favourable conditions of 90% relative humidity and at 25±2°C, maize grains having 15 and 20% moisture content stored for 45 days revealed significant postponement of visible moulding and the loss of food reserves. The results showed that, maize grain with 15% moisture content does not support mould growth even after 45 days of storage, as a result loss of food reserves reduced considerably. Visible moulding was postponed by 15 days under 60% CO₂ and 40% CO₂ atmospheres in grains with 20% moisture contents and the loss of food reserves in MAS treated samples were significantly reduced over the untreated maize grains. Dry matter loss (DML) was also significantly reduced under 60% CO₂ modified atmospheres in maize grains with 20% moisture content.