Evaluation of various maize storage techniques on total aflatoxins prevalence and nutrient preservation

Abstract

Extended safe storage techniques enable farmers to keep surplus maize intact until the lean-season market. In this study, performances of various non-chemical grain storage techniques in preserving nutritional composition and preventing total aflatoxin (AFT) contamination of maize were investigated. The experiment involved six storage techniques; (1) filter cake powder admixed with maize and stored in a woven polypropylene bag, (2) Triplex dust admixed with maize and stored in a woven polypropylene bag, (3) metal silos, (4) Purdue Improved Crop Storage bag (PICS), (5) Super GrainPro bag, and (6) polypropylene bag as a control. A completely randomized design was employed with three replication of each storage technique. Data on moisture content, starch, protein, oil, grain damage, AFT, and Kernel Mold Infection (KMI) were determined. Oil, protein, and KMI of maize reduced at a rate from 8.0 to 30.2%, 5.8–12.0%, and 0–66.7%, respectively, using various techniques. Nutrient depletions of maize were significantly (P < 0.05) slowed down in storage techniques such as Super GrainPro bag, PICS bag, and filter-cake treatment. However, maize in the control and triplex treatment exhibited significantly higher nutritional losses. After 12 months, the AFT levels of maize in the control, triplex powder treatment, and metal silo were significantly higher P < 0.05 than that of maize at baseline. Super GrainPro bag, PICS bag, and the use of filter cake dust can be promoted for extended maize storage to prevent AFT build-up and nutrient depletion.