Hermetic Storage Research Articles

Adoption and impacts of hermetic storage on household food insecurity among maize producers’ organizations in Tanzania

Adoption and impacts of hermetic storage on household food insecurity among maize producers’ organizations in Tanzania

Increasing the Oxygen Consumption in Hermetic Grain Storage Using Grain Weevils (Sitophilus granarius)

Loss of stored plant products due to insect infestation is a problem that is likely to increase with global warming. Improved storage under hermetic conditions in oxygen deficiency can prevent or control infestation and preserve product quality. Oxygen levels in hermetic storage decrease due to different factors, one of which is the oxygen consumption of the insects present. Experiments were carried out using varying numbers (25, 50, or 200) of all developmental stages of the grain weevil Sitophilus granarius L. (eggs, larvae, pupae, and adult beetles) caged and placed in sealed 30-L containers containing 22 kg of wheat for at least 21 weeks. Oxygen levels were measured at regular intervals. The oxygen consumption depended on the number of insects and went below the critical threshold of 3% for S. granarius survival in most of the trials. Some surviving beetles were observed at the end of the hermetic experiments and 12 weeks afterwards during control for progeny, when oxygen levels did not fall below the critical threshold or the low level could not be maintained for a sufficient time. Monitoring oxygen levels in hermetic storage is therefore essential to ensure safe storage over long periods.

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.

Performance of Small-Scale Hermetic Storage Systems Under Periodic Access

This study characterizes the grain management performance of a novel integrated grain drying and storage system (iGDSS) adapted from 208 L drums to combat postharvest loss in developing countries through providing in situ mechanized drying and hermetic storage. The six-month storage trials of 14% moisture content maize compared different access mechanisms and two levels of pest pressure: 0 and 10 maize weevils/kg grain. This experiment allowed comparisons of differential oxygen consumption rates in small-scale hermetic systems with and without storage pests, which has not been widely reported in the literature. The iGDSS system was found to maintain grain quality parameters in dry grains with and without storage pests. After six months of storage, the results demonstrated no statistically significant difference in the moisture content, test weight, germination, proportion of broken and damaged kernels, and presence of colony-forming units between inoculated and non-inoculated systems. The iGDSS was also found to maintain oxygen intrusion rates of 0.10–0.13% O2/day, below recommended thresholds of 0.15% required to maintain benefits of modified atmosphere storage. These results indicate that the iGDSS can provide safe and reliable grain storage to smallholder farmers in developing countries, and that the drying functions of iGDSS can promote outcomes in hermetic storage.

Effect of Packaging Material on Infestation Level in Stored Groundnut Pods

Groundnut crop is an important crop for farmers of the Saurashtra region of Gujarat State in India. Generally, farmers cultivate groundnut crop in the Kharif season. Storage of groundnut pods is associated with the problem of bruchid during storage in jute bags. To address this storage problem with groundnut pods, current research was carried out comparing performance of different packaging materials with their traditional storage system in jute bags. Seven different types of bags were used as packaging materials. The experiment was carried out for the year 2016-17 and 2017-18. The storage period was December-July. Pool data for two years were considered for determination of the effect of packaging material on storage of groundnut pods with respect to moisture content, germination percentage, pod damage due to infestation, pest population, and aflatoxin. Groundnut stored in cloth bag showed maximum variation in moisture content during the storage period (6.40% to 8.35%), maximum pest population of pupa (6.82 pupa/200 gm sample) and adult of bruchid beetle (3.14 adult/200 gm sample), pod damage due to infestation on number basis (61.13%) as well as weight basis (63.46%) whereas minimum variation was found in moisture content during the storage period (6.74% to 6.90%), maximum pest population of pupa (2.44 pupa/200 gm sample) and adult of bruchid beetle (1.51 adult/200 gm sample), pod damage due to infestation on number basis (18.24%) as well as weight basis (18.76%) in triple layer hermetic storage bag i.e., Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bags followed by closely woven net bag. The minimum germination percentage (69.22%) was found in cloth bag and it was the maximum (78.18%) in triple layer hermetic storage bag. Aflatoxin in the pods stored in triple layer hermetic storage bags was under limit. Results of this study will be helpful to select storage bags for storing groundnut pods.

Insect Pest Management in Stored Millets

Recognizing the significance of millets as Nutri-Cereals, India celebrated the National Year of Millets in 2018, and subsequently, as proposed by India, the FAO of the United Nations declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets (IYoM). Consequently, there has been an intensive drive, globally, to increase the production and popularise the consumption of whole as well as processed millets by creating an awareness about their significant health benefits and richness in nutritional elements. Besides food, millets play a role as feed and in industrial uses. In commensurate with anticipated higher production, storage and international trade of whole millets and their products, it is important to protect millets throughout the supply chain from stored grain insects, the predominant biotic agent responsible for their qualitative and quantitative losses. In this context, this review focusses on the type of insect infestation encountered in millets from field to consumer levels affecting their market value and causing consumer concern. Insect management techniques adopted by the stakeholders such as farmers, traders, and government grain storage agencies are discussed. Due to financial constraints, small holder farmers use traditional storages and insect management measures using locally available plant products. Like other cereals, fumigation with aluminium phosphide (phosphine) preparations has a major role in insect pest management in millets at various storage levels. Hermetic storage bags of different capacities are used in India and in other millet producing countries especially at farmers level as a valuable insect management tool for whole millets and seed materials. Powdered and processed millets have shorter shelf-life and are more vulnerable to insect attack during storage. Hence, there are studies to increase their shelf life and to check infestation by suitable packaging material. Alternate insect management techniques investigated include ozone treatment, protective packaging materials, screening and breeding of millet varieties that are resistant to grain insects National regulations pertinent to insect management in stored millets have also been discussed.

Novel foodborne source of Xerochrysium xerophilum (Pitt) Pitt, raw peanuts stored at low moisture and high CO2

Peanut seed is ideally stored at low water activity (aw) and low temperature, since common mycotoxigenic fungi cannot survive below 0.8 aw, and the life cycle of seed-infesting insects is interrupted below 15 °C. Hermetic storage bags at 0.77 aw, room temperature, and ≥ 9000 mg/m3 CO2, were tested for their potential use in countries where temperature control is unaffordable. Despite these inhospitable conditions, peanuts displayed an unusual white powder that we identified as the xerophilic fungus Xerochrysium xerophilum (syn. Chrysosporium xerophilum), and sequenced its genome. Previously, only 19 sequences shorter than 1700 nt were available. For six decades, only three food sources of X. xerophilum were known: dry prunes, chocolate, and dry coconut. Here we report peanut as a novel food source of this extremophile and make one isolate available at the USDA culture collection. Given the slow growth of this fungus in culture, we developed a robust PCR to sequence and identify X. xerophilum on contaminated peanut seed without performing DNA extraction. The broad range of oxygen, aw and temperatures that support growth of X. xerophilum will significantly affect the decisions made regarding the conditions to safely store peanuts.

Effects of improved on-farm crop storage on DNA methylation of mothers and their infants: evidence from a randomized controlled trial in Kenya

BackgroundStress during pregnancy can lead to adverse maternal and infant health outcomes through epigenetic changes in the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. Among farmers in low-income countries, one important stressor is food insecurity, which can be reduced using hermetic storage bags. This study aimed to determine, for the first time, whether a hermetic storage bag intervention during pregnancy positively affects maternal and infant DNA methylation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis-related genes FKBP5 and NR3C1. We further analyzed whether anthropometrics, stress, and mental health were associated with DNA methylation.MethodsThis study was part of a larger matched-pair randomized controlled trial focusing on the impact of improved on-farm storage on food security, poverty, and net income of smallholder farming households. A total of N = 149 mothers were recruited by telephone and invited to attend a study appointment at health facilities in Kakamega County, Western Kenya, with their infants in April or May 2021. During the appointment, anthropometric measurements were taken, questionnaires on stress and mental health were administered, and saliva samples were collected. Logistic and multiple linear regression were used to examine the effect of the intervention and related measures on DNA methylation.ResultsMothers in the intervention group showed higher mean NR3C1 methylation levels than those in the control group, corrected for multiple testing. Maternal postpartum body mass index was positively associated with infant NR3C1 CpG3 DNA methylation. The more stressful life events a mother had experienced in the previous 12 months (including during pregnancy), the lower her FKBP5 CpG3 methylation levels.ConclusionsFood insecurity and stressful life events during pregnancy seem to exert significant effects on maternal DNA methylation. While these stressors did not appear to impact infant DNA methylation in the present study, maternal postpartum body mass index was significantly related to infant methylation. These findings suggest that while infants may be protected from excessive maternal glucocorticoids by placental barrier activity, maternal metabolic status is still reflected in their epigenetic make-up.Trial registration This study was part of a larger matched-pair randomized controlled trial on the impact of improved on-farm crop storage on welfare, nutrition, and human health. Registration can be found in the American Economic Association (AEA) RCT Registry, RCT ID: AEARCTR-0005845.

Guaranteed storage? Risk and credit constraints in the demand for postharvest technology

Abstract Uninsured risk is often cited to explain the lagging adoption of new agricultural technologies in low-income regions. However, insurance interventions suffer from poor take-up. We test whether bundling a new product–hermetic storage bags–with a warranty can serve as a viable alternative. We compare the warranty to a credit intervention and a control using an incentivized auction in rural Bangladesh. We find the warranty had no impact on demand. Providing the bags on credit significantly increased willingness-to-pay, and machine learning estimates indicate credit may have raised the demand for the most marginal farmers. Warranties failed to stimulate demand along any dimension.

Effects of alternative hermetic bag storage on fermented and dried cocoa bean (Theobroma cacao L.)

Cocoa beans, derived from the Cacao Tree (Theobroma cacao L.), are a cash crop among smallholder farmers in tropical regions. After harvest and processing, maintaining cocoa bean quality is critical to access lucrative markets. This paper examines the impact of hermetic storage on insect damage, mold, moisture content, and water activity of fermented and dried cocoa beans under farm conditions in collaboration with a farmer association of Belén de Umbría in Colombia. Three types of hermetic storage systems were assessed for a period of 12 months: Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bags, including both 2- and 3-layer variants, and Ecotact® hermetic storage bags, and plus traditional (jute) bags as a control. Regression analysis reveals varying effects across storage durations and treatments. Insect damage was significantly lower in hermetic bags compared to jute bags, with the trend increasing over storage period. Moisture content increased over time with hermetic bags maintaining more desirable levels compared to jute bags. While water activity increased with storage duration, there were minor differences between treatments. Mold presence varies, with jute bags showing lower presence initially, but no significant difference after three months of storage. Overall, results indicate that cocoa beans stored in regular PICS bags (3-layer, PICS3) exhibit superior quality than those stored in the other hermetic (PICS2 and Ecotact®) and jute bags. PICS (3-layer, PICS3) bag can be used to effectively maintain cocoa beans quality while building stocks for sale or processing. This information is valuable for smallholder farmers and cocoa value chain actors seeking to store cocoa beans for extended periods.

Remotely controlled smart monitoring system of hermetic paddy storage to reduce postharvest losses in Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, where agriculture forms the backbone of the economy, efficient grain storage is crucial, particularly for paddy storage. Traditional methods like gunny bags and plastic containers are common, but the recent introduction of hermetic storage technologies, such as GrainPro bags and hermetic cocoons, have significantly reduced postharvest losses paddy. However, most research focuses on oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in those open storage systems. This study introduces an innovative, cost-effective remote monitoring system for hermetically sealed grain storage, designed using locally sourced components, including a Digital Hygrometer, WiFi Mini IP Camera, and a Remote Controller unit. Tested over a 125-day period at Advanced Storage Lab, Bangladesh Agricultural University, the system effectively monitored the internal environment of the storage units. Key findings show that the internal temperature of the storage bags varied between 16.7°C and 29.2°C, demonstrating lesser fluctuation compared to the ambient temperature range of 16.1°C to 33.5°C. The relative humidity inside the storage units remained stable between 45 % and 54 %, in contrast to the external humidity range of 45 % to 81.2 %. Additionally, using the Steffe and Singh equation, an increase of 0.512 % in Equilibrium Moisture Content (EMC) of paddy was recorded. Notably, there was no evidence of insect or mold growth after 125 days of storage. This study's remote monitoring system not only marks a significant advancement in hermetic grain storage technology but also contributes to sustainable agricultural practices. It provides a practical, real-time solution to monitor and manage key environmental parameters, ensuring the preservation of grain quality over time.

Physicochemical stability and sensory quality of selected Ethiopian coffee (Coffea arabica L.) brands as affected by packaging materials during storage

Ethiopia's economy heavily relies on coffee, the country's primary export. However, there is a need for improvement in the current packaging materials for parchment coffee during extended storage. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of four different packaging materials (Jute, Woven Polypropylene internally lined with low-density propylene, Grain Pro, and Purdue Improved Crop Storage) on the quality of three brands of Parchment Coffee (Limu, Sidama, and Yirgacheffe) stored for 12 months. The results demonstrated that hermetic packaging materials like Purdue Improved Crop Storage and Grain Pro bags outperformed the Jute bag control in maintaining the original coffee quality throughout the storage period. There was a significant interaction between the coffee brands and the packaging materials for most measured parameters, except bioactive compounds. Notably, Sidama and Yirgacheffe brands stored in hermetic bags consistently achieved cup quality values above 80 %, meeting the requirements for specialty coffee grade. However, the Limu brand did not meet the specialty coffee criteria. The study recommends using hermetic storage materials such as PICS and Grain Pro bags for extended coffee storage. By adopting these methods, the renowned Ethiopian coffee brands can uphold their exceptional quality standards in the international market and ensure customer satisfaction.

Effect of different storage conditions on grain quality of paddy

The present investigation was carried out to study the physiological and biochemical changes of paddy grain (Oryza sativa L. var. Ranjit) throughout the course of a 12-month storage period, in an effort to determine the ideal storage conditions with the highest potential for storage under climacteric condition of Assam. Freshly harvested seeds of paddy grain (Ranjit) were stored under different storage conditions for a period of twelve months beginning in January. Based on the results of the study, it was found that the easily moisture permeable structures (T2, T3, T6) showed the maximum change in the physiological and biochemical parameters followed by permeable (T1 and T4) and impermeable (T5 and T7). The rate of change in the values of parameters in paddy stored in the prototype of a Grain safe™ in-store dryer (T7) was found slowest and sluggish, and maintained highest mean values amongst all the storage receptacles in respect of germination percentage, seed vigour index, head rice recovery, moisture content, total soluble protein content, starch content, total soluble sugar content, reducing sugar, non-reducing sugar and amylose content. Significant superiority of hermetic storages (T5 and T7) over traditional storage structures (T1, T2, T3, T4 and T6) in Assam irrespective of all the parameters studied was noticed. Hermetic storage was effective at blocking the effects of external humidity fluctuations as well as the spread of fungi and insects. The solar in-store drier was found to be best amongst all storage structures, in all quality aspects of the long-term storage of paddy.

EVALUATION OF HERMETIC STORAGE BAGS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF PULSE BEETLE, Callosobruchus maculatus (FAB.) IN CHICKPEA

Studies on management of pulse bruchid, Callosobruchus maculatus (Fab.) on stored chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) through hermetic storage was carried out in the laboratory of Department of Entomology, Agricultural College, Bapatla during 2021-22.Three hermetic storage bags viz., super bag, polythene bag and triple layer plastic bag were evaluated along with conventional storage bags against pulse beetle damage and seed quality parameters of stored chickpea for six months storage period. Chickpea grains stored in super bags recorded zero number of adult beetles of C. maculatus, zero grain damage, no moisture change, and above 90 percent viability of chickpea grains upto six months storage period followed by triple layer plastic bags and found to be the most effective when compared to other types of bags tested.

Physiological and Biological Responses of Ca2+-Primed Quinoa Seed Longevity Stored at Different Hermetic Storage Conditions

Physiological and Biological Responses of Ca2+-Primed Quinoa Seed Longevity Stored at Different Hermetic Storage Conditions

Effect of sub-optimal moisture levels on the quality of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) during storage in triple-layer hermetic storage bags

Storage is an important aspect of groundnut, as the in-shell and shelled kernels are prone to infestation by insects, pests, and fungi. Among several storage pests, the groundnut bruchid, Caryedon serratus, causes serious losses. Farmers often resort to different management practices, including hermetic storage, to control it. The moisture content of the commodity plays an important role in insect infestation during storage. Drying to safe moisture levels before storage is known to prevent the activity of various living organisms, such as storage pests. However, drying to low levels of moisture may not be economical for farmers, as they may not have access to devices to accurately check product moisture. In this regard, we wanted to demonstrate the efficacy of triple-layer hermetic storage bags in preventing the damage caused by C. serratus when the groundnuts are stored at intermediate (10%) and high (14%) levels of moisture compared to traditionally used bags such as polypropylene bags and jute bags. Groundnut pods at 10% moisture content and 14% moisture content were separately inoculated with adult bruchids and a toxigenic strain of Aspergillus flavus fungal inoculum before storing them for 6 months. Results from groundnut samples taken at two-month intervals indicated that groundnut pods stored in triple-layer hermetic bags were completely free from infestation by C. serratus by recording a zero number of eggs laid, number of pupae, adult emergence, percentage of loss, and percentage of damage up to 6 months of storage, by creating low oxygen (hypoxia) and high carbon dioxide (hypercarbia) conditions. Results also indicate no loss of pod weight stored in triple-layer bags, but a slight reduction in germination percentage was recorded due to a slight increase in fungal activity, but the reduction was significantly less in triple-layer plastic bags compared to other bag types. Similarly, biochemical constituents such as oil and protein content were slightly reduced in triple-layer plastic bags when pods were stored at a 10% moisture level, but a higher reduction was observed at a 14% moisture level. However, the reduction was very high and significant in other bag types at both 10 and 14% moisture levels.

Assessment of purdue improved crop storage bags for hermetic storage technology on groundnut pods

Assessment of purdue improved crop storage bags for hermetic storage technology on groundnut pods

FROM FIELD TO FORKS: A DEEP DIVE INTO AFLATOXIN CONTAMINATION IN FOOD ITEMS

Aflatoxin contamination in food items pretences a significant hazard to global foodstuff safety, public health, and economic stability. This assessment comprehensively examines the sources, risks, and potential solutions associated with aflatoxin contamination in various food products. Aflatoxins, produced by moulds of the Aspergillus genus, contaminate crops during cultivation, harvest, storage, and processing stages. Consumption of aflatoxin-contaminated food items has been linked to severe health issues, including liver cancer, stunted growth, and immune system suppression. This review delves into the diverse sources of aflatoxin contamination, ranging from agricultural practices and environmental factors to storage conditions. The risks associated with aflatoxin exposure are explored in detail, emphasizing the global impact on both human health and economies, especially in vulnerable communities reliant on staple crops. Furthermore, the review discusses multifaceted solutions aimed at mitigating aflatoxin contamination. These solutions encompass agricultural strategies such as crop rotation, improved irrigation methods, and biocontrol agents, as well as advancements in food processing techniques like sorting, washing, and hermetic storage. Regulatory measures and international standards are critically evaluated, highlighting their role in ensuring food safety and preventing aflatoxin-related health crises. Keywords : Aflatoxin, Contamination, Public Health, Global Foodstuff Safety

Hermetic storage for eco-friendly management of insect pests infesting stored sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

Sesame provides excellent food, nutrition, health care, edible oil, and biomedicine. Insect pest infestations in stored sesame have been a problem of major concern in recent years. Two hermetic storage bags, viz., high density polyethylene (HDPE) bag and double layered polythene (DLP) bag, were evaluated alone and in combination with botanical treatment (sweet flag rhizome powder @ 10 g/kg seed) against rice moth and red flour beetle under storage condition in comparison with conventional farmers’ storage bags (jute gunny bag and cloth bag). Among the treatments, sesame seeds stored in HDPE bag with sweet flag rhizome powder and HDPE bag recorded significantly low seed damage due to the pests as compared to sesame seed stored in cloth and jute gunny bags at 6 months after treatment. The study revealed that HDPE bag alone or in combination with sweet flag rhizomepowder could be employed as an eco-friendly method for preventing storage insect pests infesting sesame under storage conditions.

Plant‐Based Products as Control Agents of Stored Product Insect Pests: Prospects, Applications and Challenges

Stored product insect pests pose a significant threat to global food security and economic stability, as they cause substantial damage to stored grains and other food commodities. Traditional pest control methods often rely on chemical insecticides, which can have adverse effects on the environment, human health, and food safety. In light of these concerns, there is growing interest in exploring sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives for managing stored product insect pests. This abstract highlights the potential of plant-based products as a viable and environmentally friendly approach to control stored product insect pests. Plant-based products, such as botanical extracts and essential oils, are derived from various plant sources and have shown promise in repelling, deterring, and even killing insect pests. These products offer several advantages, including biodegradability, reduced chemical residues, and minimal harm to non-target organisms. This review summarizes recent research on the efficacy of plant-based products against a range of stored product insect pests, including but not limited to beetles, weevils, and moths. It discusses the mechanisms through which these products exert their pest control effects, such as disrupting insect behavior, affecting their reproduction, or inducing mortality. Moreover, the potential synergistic effects of combining plant-based products with other pest management strategies, like hermetic storage and modified atmospheres, are explored. In addition, this abstract examines the challenges and limitations associated with the use of plant-based products in pest management, including issues related to formulation, stability, and the need for further research to standardize application protocols. The economic feasibility and scalability of plant-based pest control methods are also considered. The findings presented in this abstract emphasize the importance of incorporating plant-based products into integrated pest management strategies for stored product insect pests. These products have the potential to contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to safeguarding global food reserves, while minimizing the risks associated with chemical pesticides. Further research and collaboration between the scientific community, agricultural industry, and policymakers are essential to harness the full potential of plant-based products in the fight against stored product insect pests.