Hermetic Containers Research Articles

Hand Warmer-Induced Hypoxia Accelerates Pest Control in Hermetic Storage.

Accelerating oxygen depletion during hermetic storage can minimize pest damage and preserve product quality. This study evaluated the effectiveness of hand warmers in accelerating hypoxia to control insect pests inside hermetic containers. We used one, two, or four hand warmers to deplete oxygen in a 4-gallon hermetic jar with 4 kg of cowpea and cowpea bruchids, alongside a non-hermetic control with cowpea bruchids and no hand warmers. Oxygen levels, insect mortality, egg counts, seed moisture content, and germination rates were monitored over 2, 5, or 8 days of storage. Only the four hand warmers treatment reduced oxygen levels below 1% within 12 h and maintained them for up to 168 h. The other treatments did not achieve this level. Insect mortality was higher with more hand warmers and extended storage duration, reaching 100% after 5 and 8 days with four and two hand warmers, respectively. Similarly, increased hand warmers and extended storage durations reduced egg counts and adult emergence. The treatments did not affect the moisture content or germination rates of the stored cowpea seeds. Hand warmers proved effective in accelerating hypoxia during hermetic storage, resulting in high insect mortality and reduced reproduction, without compromising grain quality.

Assessing Germinating Seeds of Legume and Cereal Crops to Enhance Oxygen Depletion: A Novel Approach in Hermetic Storage

Hermetic storage systems are used around the world to reduce stored product losses. Scavenging residual oxygen in hermetic containers can further enhance their effectiveness in minimizing stored commodity losses. Our objective was to assess the effectiveness of germinating seeds of soybeans, rice, cowpeas, and corn in scavenging oxygen. There were six germination stages: seeds soaked for 24 h and allowed to grow for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 days (T1 to T6). Oxygen consumption was monitored for 30 h. Root length, the weight of mobilized seed reserve, and visual fungal growth were also assessed. The results showed that cowpeas in their fourth (T4), fifth (T5), and sixth (T6) germination stages were the most effective in scavenging oxygen to below 5% after only 12 h. Corn in its fifth (T5) germination stage took twice the time (24 h) of cowpeas (T4–T6) to reach 5%. Hypoxia affected the growth of radicle length and seed reserve mobilization in all crops except soybeans. Very minimal fungal growth was observed on germinating cowpea seeds under hermetic conditions. The fourth stage (T4) of germinating cowpeas has more potential as an oxygen scavenger because it requires less time to grow, and the seeds are easy to handle. Further research is needed to understand the role of seed weight and sizes, crop varieties, and genetic mechanisms that govern rapid oxygen consumption by germinating seeds among crops. Harnessing seeds as oxygen scavengers to reduce storage losses holds the promise of advancing the sustainable utilization of resources on smallholder farms.

Microwave Modification of Quinoa Grains at Constant and Varying Water Content Modulates Changes in Structural and Physico-Chemical Properties of the Resulting Flours

Microwave-assisted heat moisture treatment (MWT) was applied to quinoa grains, a nutritious gluten-free pseudocereal of great interest in food product development, to achieve the physical modification of the quinoa flour. The effect of treating quinoa grains at different initial water contents (WC; 10%, 20%, and 30%) in two operational systems was compared: one open at atmospheric pressure and variable WC (V system), and the other in hermetic containers at constant WC (C system). The morphological structure of the obtained flours and their techno-functional, rheological, and thermal properties were evaluated. MWT proved to be effective in modifying these properties, the main effects probably being caused by protein denaturation and aggregation, and intragranular molecular rearrangements of starch, with disruption of short-range molecular order and even the partial collapse of starch granules in the samples treated at the highest WC. The greatest differences were observed for the 20 and 30% WC treated-samples, particularly when using C system, which increased their water absorption capacity and decreased their foaming, emulsion, and gel-forming capacities. Based on these results, the control of WC and its evolution during MWT of quinoa grains appears to be a viable and effective approach to adapt flour functionality to the needs of food production, allowing a wider range of flour properties depending on the MWT conditions.

Effect of Storage Technologies on Postharvest Insect Pest Control and Seed Germination in Mexican Maize Landraces.

Simple SummaryIn Mexico, smallholder farmers produce locally adapted maize varieties, generally called landraces, for food. They participate in the conservation of landraces by selecting and storing their seeds from one production cycle to another, but are facing challenges such as storage losses caused by insects (mainly Sitophilus zeamais and Prostephanus truncatus) and climate change. In the current study, the effectiveness of the conventional storage practices of farmers in the highlands of Mexico (polypropylene woven bags) in minimizing storage losses and maintaining seed germination was compared with hermetic storage technologies. After six and three months of storage, the percentage of insect damage and weight loss was highest in samples stored in polypropylene woven bags, reaching 61.4% and 23.4% after six months of storage. On the contrary, with hermetic technologies, storage losses were minimal, with maximums of 4.1% and 2.2% for insect damage and weight loss, respectively. Overall, the germination rate of samples stored in these airtight containers was greater than 90%. The results of this study demonstrate the potential of hermetic technologies in preserving the biodiversity of maize seed landraces and strengthening smallholders’ food security.Smallholder farmers who grow maize landraces face important challenges to preserve their seed biodiversity from one season to another. This study was carried out in the central highlands of Mexico to compare the effectiveness of two seed storage practices—specifically, polypropylene woven bags (farmers’ conventional practice) vs. hermetic containers—for minimizing seed losses and maintaining germination. Four Mexican landraces were stored for three and six months. Data on moisture content and kernel damage were collected at the beginning and the end of the storage period. Pest-free samples collected were also analyzed for seed germination. Moisture content was below 13% overall and was not significantly affected by storage technology or storage time. Samples from the polypropylene woven bags suffered significant damage from Sitophilus zeamais and Prostephanus truncatus, with the percentages of insect damage and weight loss reaching 61.4% and 23.4%, respectively. Losses were minimal in seed stored in hermetic containers, with a maximum insect damage of 4.1% and weight loss of 2.2%. Overall, the germination rate of samples stored in these airtight containers was greater than 90%. This study provides additional evidence on the effectiveness of hermetic containers at maintaining Mexican landraces’ seed quantity and quality during storage in smallholder conditions in central Mexico.

Desiccant drying prior to hermetic storage extends viability and reduces bruchid (Callosobruchus chinensis L.) infestation of mung bean (Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek) seeds

Seeds of mung bean (Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek) are subject to loss of viability due to aging and damage from pulse beetles (or bruchids; Callosobruchus spp.) infestation during storage. We investigated whether seed drying using desiccants and hermetic packaging would prevent or ameliorate these consequences of storage. Sun-dried mung bean seeds at a moisture content of 10% were subjected to further drying for 72 h using five different desiccants: Drying Beads® (a zeolite-based desiccant), silica gel, sodium aluminum silicate, activated alumina, and cow-dung ash (a traditional desiccant). Seeds were subsequently stored in hermetic plastic containers in the presence of these desiccants under ambient conditions along with sun-dried seeds stored in cloth bags or in hermetic containers. In addition, parallel samples of each treatment were inoculated with one pair of bruchid beetles (C. chinensis L.) and stored under the same conditions. The seed drying treatments did not affect initial seed quality (germination percentage and seedling vigor) significantly. After storage for 9 months at ambient temperatures, seeds dried using Drying Beads, silica gel, sodium aluminum silicate and activated alumina had higher germination percentages, seedling vigor indices and soil emergence, and lower electrical conductivity (leakage upon imbibition) and fungal infestation compared to other conditions. In addition, the mung bean seeds inoculated with bruchids and stored with these effective desiccants had less damage, oviposition, and insect respiratory activity in the hermetic containers and maintained higher seed germination and seedling vigor after six months of storage compared to other treatments and controls. The results demonstrate the superior ability of desiccants to quickly and safely dry seeds prior to and during storage and the benefits of such drying and hermetic storage conditions for preventing seed deterioration and insect damage during storage.

Field evaluation of hermetic and synthetic pesticide-based technologies in smallholder sorghum grain storage in hot and arid climates

Field evaluation of six grain storage technologies under hot and arid conditions (32–42 °C; rainfall < 450 mm/year) in two locations in Zimbabwe were conducted over two storage seasons. The treatments included three hermetic technologies (Purdue Improved Crop Storage bags, GrainPro Super Grainbags, metal silos); three synthetic pesticide-based treatments; and an untreated control, all using threshed sorghum grain. Sampling was at eight-week intervals for 32 weeks. Highly significant differences (p < 0.01) occurred between hermetic and non-hermetic treatments regarding grain damage, weight loss, insect pest populations, and grain moisture content; with the hermetic containers exhibiting superior grain protection. Weight losses were low (< 3%) in hermetic treatments compared to pesticide-based treatments (3.7 to 14.2%). Tribolium castaneum developed in metal silos, deltamethrin-incorporated polypropylene bags and a pesticide treatment containing deltamethrin 0.13% and fenitrothion 1% while Sitotroga cerealella developed in a pesticide treatment containing pirimiphos-methyl 0.16% + thiamethoxam 0.036%. Mechanisms of survival and development of these pests in the tested treatments and under similar climatic conditions need further elucidation. These hermetic technologies can be successfully used by smallholder farmers in developing countries as alternatives to synthetic pesticides for protecting stored-sorghum grain under hot and arid climatic conditions to attain household food security. To our knowledge, this is the first published study on modern hermetic storage of sorghum grain under typical smallholder storage conditions and involving stakeholders.

Effectiveness of Hermetic Storage Using PICS Bags and Plastic Jars for Post-Harvest Preservation of &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Acacia macrostachya&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; Seeds

In Burkina Faso, the availability of Acacia macrostachya “Zamnè” seeds throughout the year is threatened by the attacks of pests. So, the effectiveness of airtight (hermetic) storage for the preservation of these seeds was evaluated using 20-litre plastic jars and 50 kg PICS bags as hermetic containers with 50 kg polypropylene bags as controls. Seeds of Acacia macrostachya (17.5 kg) were stored in each of these storage devices for six months under ambient conditions in the laboratory. The number of storage pest Bruchidius silaceus increased significantly in polypropylene bags from 235 to 715 individuals on average/500 g of seeds. But in PICS bags and plastic drums, the number of this pest did not vary significantly (191 and 239 individuals on average/500 g of seeds for plastic jars and PICS bags respectively). In both hermetic devices, we found few individuals of another major storage pest Caryedon furcatus. However, polypropylene bags, haboured more pests’ in addition high numbers of C. furcatus and Oryzaephilus mercator which were not found in the hermetic devices. Seeds damage and weight loss increased significantly in polypropylene bags from 7.40% to 20.23% and 0.50% to 3% respectively compared to PICS bags and plastic jars. The germination rate of A. macrostachya seeds decreased significantly in PICS bags, plastic jars and polypropylene bags with average percentages of 14%; 11% and 15% respectively compared to the initial average of 27%. PICS bags and plastic jars are therefore effective in preserving the quality of A. macrostachya seeds, but the effects of these hermetic devices on seed viability need to be explored further.

Enhancing seed conservation in rural communities of Guatemala by implementing the dry chain concept

Seed conservation in rural communities of low- and middle-income countries located in tropical areas is particularly problematic, due to high relative humidity that promotes insect and fungal infestations and leads to rapid losses in seed viability. Seed conservation in those areas is affected by unreliable power supplies that do not allow the use of dehumidifying and refrigeration systems recommended for the long-term storage of seeds. We tested the dry chain, i.e., initial seed drying with a reusable desiccant in the form of zeolite beads followed by seed conservation in hermetic containers, in rural communities of Guatemala (Huehuetenango Department). In this region, a network of community seed reserves (CSRs) has been established to provide a safety backup for seed and to conserve local agrobiodiversity. Using a local maize variety in three communities, we compared the dry chain with the seed conservation methodology employed in the CSRs (i.e., undried seeds in hermetic flasks) as well as with seed conservation in open storage, both in the local CSR and in a farmer’s granary. Seed conserved using the dry chain treatment maintained very high seed viability (> 80%) throughout the whole experiment (6 months) and reduced fungal and insect infestations (< 3%). In the other treatments, the viability declined significantly to an average of 52% non-viable and 19% infested seeds after 6 months of storage. The dry chain was demonstrated to be an excellent solution for enhancing seed conservation in biodiversity hotspots of tropical areas as well as for improving seed security for farmers.

Effectiveness of hermetic containers in controlling paddy rice (Oryza sativa L.) storage insect pests

Naturally infested paddy rice was used to compare the effectiveness of polypropylene bags and hermetic storage containers over 12 months of storage in a warehouse. Insect pest identification as well as the infestation level, percentage of damaged grain, weight loss, and moisture content were evaluated. Five insect species associated with stored rice were identified during the storage period, namely lesser grain borer (Rhyzopertha dominica), red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum), rice/maize weevil (Sitophilus spp.), angoumois grain moth (Sitotroga cerealella) and flat grain beetle (Cryptolestes ferrugineus). The lesser grain borer was the most predominant species with an average incidence above 70% after twelve months of storage, followed by the rice/maize weevil with an incidence of 17%. When compared to hermetic storage containers, polypropylene bag showed the highest mean infestation level with 233.3 individuals/kg after six months of storage, representing about 8-fold of the number of insects recorded in hermetic containers after six months of storage. In polypropylene container, the percentage of damaged grain and weight loss increased significantly achieving a maximum of 6.98% and 5.56% respectively, whereas using hermetic containers the highest percentage of damaged grain reached was 3.24% in polyethylene drum and the weight loss was 1.62% in GrainSafe bag. The results from the study show that the use of hermetic storage containers is a green alternative for safe storage of paddy rice, for 12 months without application of pesticides, bringing multiple advantages for smallholder farmers, lever food security and income generation for smallholder farmers and rice milling companies.

Effects of variety, storage container, and duration on the physical properties, oil content, germination capacity, and seed loss due to Plodia interpunctella infestation of Ethiopian sesame.

Owing to fluctuations of international market prices and excess supply during peak harvesting seasons, farmers and traders often suffer from a low market price of sesame. Such a negative impact can be ameliorated by taking advantage of times with a better market price during the off season. This study aimed to investigate the impact of different storage containers on gravimetric properties and germination capacities of five different sesame varieties as well as their impact on Indian meal moth (Plodia interpunctella). There were differences among the types of storage containers in terms of moisture content, oil content, thousand seed weight, and germination capacity with the storage duration. However, in terms of bulk density, true density, and porosity, the results were consistent. On average, a few losses in thousand seed weight for varieties stored in Purdue Improved Crop Storage bags (1.7%), metal silos (2.4%), and GrainPro bags (3.4%) were observed during 12 months' storage compared with polypropylene bags (17%). The difference among sesame varieties in terms of weight loss and loss of webbing due to P. interpunctella varied with storage duration. On average, about 9.4% weight loss and 5.7% loss due to webbing was measured for seed stored in polypropylene bags due to the natural infestation of P. interpunctella. No pest was found in hermetic containers. In general, to fetch better market prices, the use of hermetic storage is more efficient to maintain the desired gravimetric properties and to prevent losses due to P. interpunctella infestation compared with the commonly used woven polypropylene bags. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Hermetic storage technologies reduce maize pest damage in smallholder farming systems in Mexico

In Mexico, smallholder farmers use a variety of technologies to store their maize grain for several months, which may result in high losses in quantity and quality of grain. This work compared the effectiveness of different storage technologies for minimizing losses in smallholder conditions in 109 different locations from 21 to 2816 m above sea level (asl) across different agroecological zones of Mexico, under “controlled” (i.e. managed by researchers), and “non-controlled” conditions (i.e. on-farm managed by extension agents). Depending on the common practice at each site, conventional storage technologies (polypropylene bag with and/or without insecticide) were compared to alternative storage technologies (selected from hermetic metal silos, hermetic bags, recycled plastic containers, silage plastic bags, and inert dusts-micronized and standard lime) during one to 12 months. Data on grain damages were collected at the beginning and end of the storage period. Climatic variables and initial grain infestation with pests influenced the ability of a technology to minimize losses, particularly under tropical conditions. After six months of storage, percentages of insect-damaged grain with polypropylene bags, the most common farmers’ practice, were 39.4% and 4.1%, respectively, in lowlands (<500 m asl) and highlands (>2000 m asl). With hermetic metal silos, percentages of insect-damaged grain after six months of storage were 3.8% on average in the highlands and similar in lowlands, with 2.9%. Hermetic technologies, which prevent the introduction of oxygen, were effective in reducing losses under farmers’ conditions across agroecological areas, regardless of storage time. Recycled hermetic containers had similar results and were a viable low-cost alternative to more expensive options like hermetic metal silos. With adequate technical support for their appropriate use, hermetic technologies have the potential to reduce grain losses during storage and strengthen food security in Mexico and Latin American countries with similar conditions.

What does global warming mean for stored-grain protection? Options for Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) control at increased temperatures

Global climate change is expected to accelerate reproduction, development and activity of stored-product insect pests and degradation of grain protectants hence compromising efficacy of available storage pest management technologies. However, there is little information on these effects. The current laboratory study examined the effect of increasing temperatures on the efficacy of stored maize grain protectants and hermetic containers in controlling Prostephanus truncatus (Horn). In Experiment I, three commercial synthetic grain pesticides (cocktails of an organophosphate and a pyrethroid or a neonicotinoid) and two farmer-practices (neem leaf powder and wood ash) were tested on shelled maize grain. In Experiment II, four storage containers, viz Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bag, Super Grain bag (SGB), metal silo (MS) and polypropylene bag (PP) (all containing untreated maize) were tested. Both experiments were conducted for 12 weeks at 32 °C, 38 °C and mean ambient temperature of 26 °C; with three replicates per treatment. All treatments were artificially infested with laboratory-reared adult P. truncatus. Sampling was at baseline (0 weeks) and 4-weekly intervals. Overall, results showed significant differences in grain damage and weight losses between non-synthetic and synthetic grain protectants in all treatments at all tested conditions. The hermetic storage containers kept mean insect grain damage below 6.4% compared to 24.5% in the untreated control at all the experimental conditions. These results indicate that the use of synthetic grain protectants and hermetic storage containers (SGB, PICS and MS) in the management of P. truncatus may not be negatively affected by projected warmer temperatures of 32 °C or 38 °C; suggesting these storage technologies will remain efficacious under sub-Saharan Africa’s warming climates.

Effects of storage strategies on physicochemical properties of stored wheat in Ethiopia

A postharvest management intervention of wheat grain needs to be examined from technological quality perspectives before its introduction to users. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different grain storage strategies on the physicochemical properties of stored wheat. The experiment included six treatments: Filter-cake treated wheat in a polypropylene bag, triplex treated wheat in a polypropylene bag, metal silo, Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bag, Super GrainPro bag, and polypropylene bag (control). Data on water activity, protein, ash, wet gluten, sedimentation value, and farinograph were determined at two months interval for six months. Mean ash contents of wheat after six months of storage had ranged from 1.58% in Super GrainPro bag to 1.79% in the control while filter-cake and triplex treated wheat exhibited higher ash than wheat in other interventions. Mean wet gluten content after six months had ranged from 24.7% in the control to 27.8% in the Super GrainPro bag. Baseline wet gluten and sedimentation values of wheat in the control, triplex, and filter-cake treatment diminished unlike those in the hermetic containers. Mean farinograph water absorption of wheat after six months had ranged from 54.1% in PICS bag to 61.2% in the control. Storage period did not affect all the measured parameters, except farinograph water absorption, of wheat stored in hermetic containers. Hermetic containers are better options to maintain physicochemical properties of stored wheat compared to the commonly used polypropylene bag. However, the application of filter-cake and triplex powders resulted in increased water absorption and ash content apart from diminished wet gluten content and sedimentation values. This condition may pose a negative influence on the baking performance of flour from wheat treated with the powders. Hence, effective removal of filter-cake and triplex from the treated wheat needs further investigation.

Hermetic storage technology for handling of dry agricultural commodities: Practice, challenges, opportunities, research, and prospects in Zimbabwe: Presentation

Storage pest management practices have relied on synthetic pesticides comprising: dust powders, liquid formulations and fumigants. Reduced efficacy against targeted species, negative health-related issues and increase in consumer awareness on potentially detrimental effects of synthetic pesticides have led to a shift towards safer and environmentally-benign alternatives. Hermetic technology is a pesticide-free storage alternative currently being used in Zimbabwe and other African countries. In the current paper, we review forms and characteristics of the hermetic technology available, organisations driving the technology, research and development (R&D) initiatives, and access and uptake trends in the country. The review draws out future prospects in terms of: stakeholder partnerships and roles, up-scaling/adoption options, R&D gaps, capacity building, and funding mechanisms for effective and sustainable uptake. Critical areas identified in the review include: the need for increasing the number of hermetic plastic liner brands available to enhance access and competitive pricing, improved distribution mechanisms for hermetic storage containers for easy access in remote areas, and generation of evidence-based efficacy data on the various hermetic storage containers in preserving quality of commercial, parent and foundation seed. Future opportunities include use of hermetic containers in the disinfestation of organic horticultural products using carbon dioxide gas hermetic fumigation. However, supporting policies are necessary to ensure sustainable adoption of the hermetic technology at subsistence and commercial scales.

“Remote sensing, predictable storage of agricultural commodities and advances in hermetic storage”:

Modified atmosphere hermetic storage, now used in over 115 countries for fumigant-free storage of dry commodities from coffee to rice and maize, has been available for almost three decades. This paper describes the progress in the field use of hermetic postharvest storage systems and of recent innovations in this technology which include the introduction of remote monitoring of temperature, humidity and O2 or CO2 levels in large, sealed hermetic containers. Also, introduced in 2018, is the Cocoon Lite™, a 2nd generation multi-tonne container with major improvements in the permeability, weight and cost of high performance, large hermetic storage systems. Early examples of the uses of these innovations and data obtained from their study is expected by year end. The GrainPro EcoWiSe™ is a remote sensing system that enables monitoring of temperature, moisture and oxygen/carbon dioxide levels, thus providing real-time data on the conditions of the stored commodity involved without manual intervention. One (or more) low-cost, remote, wireless sensors/transmitters placed inside sealed. Postharvest hermetic storage units can be read remotely on laptops or cellphones. Data collected and accumulated over time enables development of an “algorithm” for a stored commodity to define an alarm, where the user can be notified immediately of any unsafe humidity or oxygen storage conditions. A substantial advance in large hermetic storage containers known as Cocoons™ is the new Cocoon Lite, a 500:1 improvement in permeability to oxygen as well as a unit weight only 28% of existing Cocoons with the same capacity and a significantly lower cost. The paper also discusses prevention of the public health hazard of exponential growth of aflatoxin levels in conventional postharvest storage such as in rice, maize, and groundnuts; field data is provided on the control achieved through hermetic storage.

Effectiveness of hermetic technologies in limiting aflatoxin B1 and fumonisin B1 contamination of stored maize grain under smallholder conditions in Zimbabwe

There is limited empirical evidence on the efficacy of hermetic storage containers in reducing mycotoxin occurrence in stored maize grain under smallholder field conditions. Levels of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and fumonisin B1 (FB1) in maize samples collected from hermetic metal silos (148), hermetic grain bags (121) and conventional stores (179) during 2015 and 2016 storage seasons in two rural districts of Zimbabwe were assessed. AFB1 was determined using high performance liquid chromatography with post-column derivatisation and fluorescence detection, whilst FB1 was determined using direct competitive ELISA. All maize samples collected at harvest in 2015 and 2016 seasons contained FB1 at levels ranging from 10 to 462 μg/kg and 13 to 537 μg/kg, respectively. Use of hermetic containers did not seem to have any effect on the development of FB1 in stored maize grain, as there was no significant difference (P&gt;0.05) in the increase of FB1 contamination in hermetic and conventional stores. Prior to storage, the levels of AFB1 in the maize ranged from below the limit of quantitation (LOQ) to 25.0 μg/kg, whilst levels during storage ranged from &lt;LOQ to 8.60 μg/kg in hermetic silos, &lt;LOQ to 8.37 μg/kg in hermetic bags and &lt;LOQ to 791 μg/kg in conventional stores over the two storage seasons. The occurrence of AFB1 in maize stored in hermetic containers, was significantly (P&lt;0.05) lower than that in conventional stores. Hermetic containers were more effective than conventional stores in limiting contamination of maize with AFB1 and subsequent human exposure to these toxins. Therefore, hermetic storage containers are recommended to smallholder maize producers for safe and effective limitation of AFB1 contamination during storage and hence reduce exposure among consumers.

Report: Controlling Clostridium Botulinum In Heat-Preserved Food

The purpose of this report is to explain, in easy to understand outline form, the basic principles of controlling Clostridium botulinum in heat-preserved food. There are three major parts to the story: (1) Truths regarding the Clostridium botulinum problem, (2) Controlling the Clostridium botulinum hazard; and (3) Estimating the probability of process failure. The later includes errors that may occur in the process design area and errors that may occur in the process delivery area. In the report, "Science, Practice and Human Errors in Controlling Clostridium botulinum in Heat-Preserved Food in Hermetic Containers," by Pflug, Irving J., Journal of Food Protection, 73(5):993-1002 (2010), the important story of Clostridium botulinum has been told in detail, but the important results have been hidden by the author's syntax. In this manuscript, "Controlling Clostridium botulinum in Heat-Preserved Food," we hope to make available the details of Clostridium botulinum control. The purpose of this report is to explain, in easy to understand, outline form, the basic principles of controlling Clostridium botulinum in heat-preserved food. Quite simply, there are three major aspects to Clostridium botulinum control: (1) Facts regarding the Clostridium botulinum organism and its spores; (2) How to control the Clostridium botulinum hazard; and (3) Estimating the probability of process failure.

English

The objective of this study was an assessment of on-farm storage practices for Bambara groundnut and roselle grains in Niger. It is based on a random sample of 164 farmers producing both crops in the Dosso and Maradi regions using a semi-structured questionnaire. Analysis of the data used Probit regression and budgeting. Fifty four percent of respondents use some type of potentially hermetic container for storage of Bambara groundnut and 46% use that type of container for roselle. Potentially, hermetic containers include metal drums, plastic jugs, and single, double and triple layer plastic bags. About 67% of the quantity of Bambara groundnut stored was in potentially hermetic containers and 58% of roselle. Triple layer Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bags were used mainly by Bambara groundnut farmers storing larger quantities. While only about 10% of the respondents reported storing Bambara groundnuts in PICS bags. The quantity stored by those respondents is quite large, so about 39% of the total quantity of Bambara groundnut stored by the respondents was stored in PICS bags. For roselle, PICS bags were used by 4% of respondents for only 3% of quantity stored. Profitability of using PICS bags for one or two years is comparable to that achieved with the common practice of storing in woven bags with insecticide. While PICS bags use does not increase profitability substantially compared to insecticide use, it does allow the producer to reduce pesticide exposure and the associated health risks. Key words: Adoption, Bambara groundnut, hermetic storage, profitability, roselle.

In vitro Comparative Study on the Effect of Carbonated Beverages on Dental Enamel

In recent decades, significant worldwide increase in the consumption of acidic beverages, such as soft drinks and fresh fruit extended to all categories of consumers but especially to young people. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the effect of some of the most consumed beverages on dental enamel in order to draw an alarm signal. The study was performed in vitro on 18 extracted teeth. Half of the coronary enamel was covered with a nail polish, then the teeth were submerged in hermetic containers with the most commonly used beverages: Coca Cola, sugar-free Coca Cola, orange juice, red wine, green tea, Red Bull for one hour, one day, 3 days and 7 days. Evaluation of the samples at one hour, one day and 3 days was performed by examination at the optical microscope. After 7 days, the insulating nail polish was removed and the microstructure of the enamel exposed and not exposed to acidic action, was examined under the scanning electronic microscope (SEM). Results showed that because of the high acidity of the beverages used in the study, the surface of the enamel showed prisms changes, structural loss of the enamel, which can lead to cracks and structural disintegration with the reduction of the physical and mechanical properties of the enamel. The results obtained in this in vitro study should be reinterpreted and associated with the in vivo situation where biological factors such as bacterial plaque and saliva buffering capacity are likely to reduce the potential for erosion of beverages. Consequently, enamel erosion may be lower compared to the measurements found in this study.

Effects of storage structures and moisture contents on seed quality attributes of quality protein maize

The study was aimed to examine the effects of various storage structures and moisture contents on seed quality attributes of quality protein maize seed. The quality protein maize (QPM-1) seed was tested in conventional seed storage containers (Fertilizer sack and earthen pot) and the improved hermetic ones (Metal bin, Super grain bag, and Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bag) at Seed Science and Technology Division, Khumaltar, Nepal during February, 2015 to January 2016. Ten treatments comprising 5 storage devices in two moisture regimes (11% and 9%) replicated thrice and laid out in Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Data on temperature, relative humidity (RH), germination, electrical conductivity (EC), seed moisture content (MC) were collected bimonthly. The conventional containers were found liable to the external environmental condition whereas the hermetic structures observed with controlled RH level below 40% in all combinations. Electrical conductivity (EC) for seed vigor showed that hermetic containers provide higher seed vigor than the conventional ones. Up to 4 months all treatments were found statistically at par for germination. A significant difference was observed in each treatment after 4 months where PICS bag &amp; Super grain bag showed best germination followed by metal bin while fertilizer bag &amp; earthen-pot showed poorer and poorest germination respectively till one year. Almost all treatments with lower MC showed better results than the treatments with higher MC. A negative correlation (R2=69.7%) was found between EC and Germination. All six figures from 2 to 12 months on MC showed statistically different where hermetic plastic bags were found maintaining MC as initial whereas MC of fertilizer bags and earthen pot was spiked than the basal figure. The finding evidenced that the hermetic containers and low MC are the seed storage approaches for retaining the quality of seed even in an ambient environmental condition for more than a year.