Spoilage Of Grains Research Articles

Mapping and analysis of volatomes from pearl millet (Pennisetum gaucum L.) grains during different storage conditions with solid‐phase microextraction–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesVolatile organic compounds (VOCs) are considered biomarkers for the metabolic activities of biological entities. This work analyzed the impact of storage period and temperature (5°C, 25°C, and 45°C) on the VOC profile of pearl millet grains stored for 120 days through headspace gas analysis using solid‐phase microextraction–gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (SPME‐GC‐MS).FindingsThe major groups identified in the pearl millet grains belonged to acid, alcohol, aldehyde, alkane, and ester groups. VOC data were analyzed using principal component analysis, partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS‐DA), cluster heat map, and network analysis of metabolite–metabolite interactions. The PLS‐DA could distinctly classify the VOCs generated with respect to different storage conditions. The VOCs generated during storage indicated the four most significant metabolic pathways, that is, fatty acid biosynthesis, cutin, suberine and wax biosynthesis, arginine biosynthesis, and arginine and proline metabolism.ConclusionsThe SPME‐GC‐MS protocol developed for mapping VOC through this study and the classification protocol developed can be used for developing quality monitoring systems in pearl millet grains.Significance and NoveltyIdentification of VOCs at a particular period will be helpful for the recommendation of appropriate remedial measures at the right time to avoid the spoilage of grains.

Комплексные полимерные препараты для защиты семян зерновых культур сельскохозяйственных растений

Pre-sowing treatment of seeds of cultivated plants with agrochemicals can significantly reduce crop losses. A promising technology for increasing the yield of spring crops in arid zones characterized by moisture deficiency in the summer is winter sowing. However, this method carries the risk of large losses as a result of premature germination of grain in the event of prolonged positive temperatures in the fall or severe thaws. Special grain processing chemicals can prevent such losses. Complex polymer preparations have been developed to protect grain seeds from premature germination and damage by phytopathogens. It has been shown that compositions based on polyvinyl acetate dispersions and polyacrylamide most effectively prevent premature germination of barley grains. At the same time, treatment with a copolymer of acrylamide and acrylate significantly reduced plant germination. It has been shown that when barley grains are treated with compositions based on polysaccharides with a fungicidal preparation, fungal infection is completely absent, and there is no significant inhibition of seed germination. This composition for treatment against fungal spoilage of grain and seedlings seems promising for practical use.

Survey Study on Traditional Storage Practices of Finger Millet

Current study aimed to assess the traditional storage practices being practiced in southern dry zone of Karnataka viz. Mysuru, Mandya, Hassan, Tumkur&Chamarajanagara districts and to identify the best storage practices being followed in these districts. Field survey was undertaken in major finger millet [Eleusine coracana (L.)] growing region of all five districts of Southern Dry Zone of Karnataka viz. Mysuru, Mandya, Hassan, Tumkur & Chamarajanagara. Information was documented by using Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) technique like observation and discussion. The data on various methods was collected by contacting the respondents through one-to-one interaction and group discussion methods, the indigenous technologies used by dry land farmers for storage of seed were documented. Survey observations delineated that hagevu, metal bin and gunny bag type of traditional storage practices being followed for the storage of finger millet in southern dry zones of Karnataka viz. Mysuru, Mandya, Hassan, Tumkur & Chamarajanagara districts. Precautionary measures before storage, during storage, and after receipt of grains highlighted in our study were being practiced by farmers in these regions to ensure protection from spoilage of grains. It was demonstrated through our field study that traditional technical skill teaches us how best the utilization of natural sources could be useful for storage and protection of life of grains or seeds.

Hermetic Storage Technology for Food Grains: New Beginning of Organic and Safe Storage for Farmers and Consumers: A Review

The moisture content of grains, oxygen and carbon dioxide concentration in storage environment affects the storage life of food grains. The moisture content affects on storability of food grains severely, hence the storage structures must be provided with sufficient protection from moisture exchange between grain and atmosphere. The insect and pests grows very fast in presence of oxygen and moisture in the storage environment. The humid climate provides favorable conditions to moulds and insects to grow in most of the food grains and oilseeds. The grains exposed to these favorable environment further not useful for human consumptions. Many harmful chemicals like aflatoxins are formed in oilseeds and cereals. The emerging hermatic storage is highly effective technology to prevent the spoilage of grains without use of any harmful fumigants and chemicals, hence it is popularly known as organic storage technology. In this technology the flow of oxygen and water from external environment is fully controlled by impermeable, triple layer hermatic plastic bags.

Characterization of volatile metabolites formed by molds on barley by mass and ion mobility spectrometry.

The contamination of barley by molds on the field or in storage leads to the spoilage of grain and the production of mycotoxins, which causes major economic losses in malting facilities and breweries. Therefore, on-site detection of hidden fungus contaminations in grain storages based on the detection of volatile marker compounds is of high interest. In this work, the volatile metabolites of 10 different fungus species are identified by gas chromatography (GC) combined with two complementary mass spectrometric methods, namely, electron impact (EI) and chemical ionization at atmospheric pressure (APCI)-mass spectrometry (MS). The APCI source utilizes soft X-radiation, which enables the selective protonation of the volatile metabolites largely without side reactions. Nearly 80 volatile or semivolatile compounds from different substance classes, namely, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, esters, substituted aromatic compounds, alkenes, terpenes, oxidized terpenes, sesquiterpenes, and oxidized sesquiterpenes, could be identified. The profiles of volatile and semivolatile metabolites of the different fungus species are characteristic of them and allow their safe differentiation. The application of the same GC parameters and APCI source allows a simple method transfer from MS to ion mobility spectrometry (IMS), which permits on-site analyses of grain stores. Characterization of IMS yields limits of detection very similar to those of APCI-MS. Accordingly, more than 90% of the volatile metabolites found by APCI-MS were also detected in IMS. In addition to different fungus genera, different species of one fungus genus could also be differentiated by GC-IMS.

FUNGAL DIVERSITY ASSOCIATED WITH PEARL MILLET PENNISETUM GLAUCUM L.) GRAINS FROM TAIZ GOVERNORATE, YEMEN AND THEIR AMYLASE PRODUCTION

In Yemen, this is the first record on fungal diversity associated with millet grains. Grain- borne fungi were tested for NaOCl- treated and non- treated samples of millet grain collected from Taiz Governorate, Yemen using direct plate method on Czapek’s (Cz) and Czapek’s supplemented with 40% sucrose (Cz40S) agar media. A total of 48 species belonging to 20 genera were isolated. The highest count and number of genera and species were recorded in non- treated grains on Cz40S medium. This means that the majority of fungi associated with grains were osmotolerant/osmophilic. The highest frequencies were represented by Aspergillus flavus, A. niger aggregate, A. vadensis, Eurotium amstelodami, Pencillium duclauxii and Rhizopus stolonifer. Among 109 isolates screened for their ability to produce amylase enzyme, 81.65% could produce the enzyme, of which Aspergillus homomorphus (a new record in Egypt), Emericella nidulans, Fusarium oxysporum and Penicillium griseofulvum were the best producers. Hence, these fungi may cause degradation of cell walls and spoilage of grains. Moreover, it is important to determine which organisms might be associated with seeds and grains in storage causing quality loss through their growth and enzyme production. The early detection of these organisms is required to prevent their harmful effects.

Carbon Dioxide Respiration Rates in Wheat at Various Temperatures and Moisture Contents

Modern management practices are needed to avoid developing of hot spots in stored grain which would allow to reduce grain quantity and quality losses, decrease mycotoxin production in the food chain, and avoid financial losses. Experiments were performed to use the carbon dioxide (CO2) measurement system for early detection of spoilage in grain instead of spoilage detection, using the traditional methods, such as temperature measurement, visual or smell inspection. The CO2 production rate of wheat at different grain moisture contents (13, 15, 17 and 19%) and various temperatures (16, 20, 25, 30 and 35 °C) was measured, while visibly evaluating mold formation levels at the same time. Experiments were performed using grain model systems in the controlled environment. The study found that wheat respiration rate increases when both temperature and/or grain moisture content increases. Substantial differences were found in the respiration rate of wheat at 19% moisture content at 30 and 35 °C temperatures after several days from the beginning of an experiment when the visible mold formation started. It is shown, that the CO2 production rate measurement may be useful for spoilage detection at an early stage in stored grain.

Studies on the mycoflora of maize grain

Maize is an important food and fodder crop. Its grains are important for the production of starch, oil and glucose. It is an important component of both human and animal diet. During storage grains undergo quantitative and qualitative losses. A large number of pathogenic fungi, bacteria, viruses and insects affecting maize cause combined world annual losses of 9.4% (Shrutelff, et al., 1980). Fungi affect quality of grain through increase in fatty acid, reduction in germination and finally spoilage of grain. The importance of fungi is also due to production of toxin that cause health hazards in human and animals. In the present study two variety of maize N 2277 and S 2727 which are locally grown crop in our area were collected directly from the field. Mycoflora of maize was tested by using blotter method. Moisture content, percent germination was also studied. A total of 8 fungi were observed from the grain.

Grain storage research: current status and future needs

Over 2.7 billion tonnes (Mt) of cereal grains, oilseeds, pulses (together referred to as grains) are produced globally and are stored at several points between production and consumption. There exists a potential for spoilage of grains during storage. Thus, grain storage research has focused on minimizing or eliminating grain spoilage during storage. This research can be grouped into four broad areas: understanding the interactions among biotic and abiotic factors; engineering solutions to manipulate the intergranular environment of stored grains; methods to control biotic factors (particularly insects) when infestation has occurred; and techniques to monitor the quality parameters of grains offline or online when grain is being handled. This paper summarizes at a high level the current status of research in these four areas and suggests what further research needs to be done to ensure high quality preserved grains are available to feed the growing world population. The paper is not meant to be a comprehensive literature review of these four areas, but rather serves to give examples of pertinent research.

Prevention of toxigenic fungal growth in stored grains by carbon dioxide detection

The growth of toxigenic fungi can adversely affect grain quality and even produce mycotoxins of food safety concern, which should be sensitively monitored and controlled during grain storage. To establish the relationship between the growth of toxigenic fungi and their carbon dioxide (CO2) production, the pattern of CO2 concentration changes was studied during the fungal growth in grain. The results showed the CO2 concentrations increased exponentially (r ≥ 0.96) during the growth of toxigenic fungi Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium sp. and Aspergillus ochraceus, which was different from the linear increase of CO2 concentration produced by the non-toxigenic xerophilic fungi Aspergillus glaucus and Aspergillus restrictus. The acceleration of CO2 concentration was found much earlier than the growth of toxigenic fungi, which would be useful for the prevention of grain spoilage. In addition, the CO2 concentration changes were also determined in storage containers loaded with grain of different moisture content and significant correlation (p < 0.05) was found between changes of CO2 concentration and fungal growth as well as mycotoxin production. The nonlinear increase of CO2 concentration in stored grains could be considered as an indication of the rapid growth of toxigenic fungi and greater risk of microbial spoilage of grains. The results can provide a valid foundation for the prevention of toxigenic fungi and mycotoxin production in stored grains through monitoring the CO2 concentration changes.

MONITORING AND CONTROL OF GRAIN STORAGE USING PLC

Grain storage occupies a vital role in the economies of developed and developing countries. Proper monitoring of grain storage is essential to reduce grain loss. The present system involves human effort in most of the activities which reduces work efficiency and increases time consumption. These difficulties can be avoided by our proposed project. In this project, the controlling and monitoring of the grain storage area is fully automated using PLC and SCADA. The main objective of the proposed project is to control and maintain the temperature in storage area which prevents the formation of microorganisms and spoilage of grains, to measure the weight using a load cell placed under the conveyor belt and to direct the different sizes of bags to their respective storage places and to detect and control the pests, rats using ultrasound technique. The main parameter that is essential for proper storage of grains is temperature which is taken as input parameter to be controlled using PLC and is measured using a temperature sensor. The SCADA system acquires the required data and monitors the overall process.

The use of Citri-V™® — An antimicrobial citrus essential oil vapour for the control of Penicillium chrysogenum, Aspergillus niger and Alternaria alternata in vitro and on food

Spoilage and poisoning of food by fungi are a major problem for the food industry and consumers. Decay may increase post harvest losses up to 50% without fungicide treatment. However the use of synthetic fungicides is becoming more restrictive and thus alternative treatments need to be developed to reduce environmental risk and satisfy the demands of consumer groups. Essential oils (EOs) have been shown to be effective against a range of fungi but their use may lead to changes in organoleptic properties. However the use of EO vapours may address this issue whilst still reducing contamination.As an initial screen, the effect of a citrus EO based antimicrobial vapour was tested against Penicillium chrysogenum, Aspergillus niger and Alternaria alternata using the disc diffusion method. Mycelial growth of all three species was completely inhibited and spore germination was reduced.The effect of the citrus EO vapour on mycelial growth and spore germination of the three fungi in culture and on the growth of A. alternata on tomatoes and P. chrysogenum and A, niger on grain was also determined. When exposed in culture mycelial growth was reduced by 44%, 34% and 67% for P. chrysogenum, A. niger and A. alternata respectively and, although the citrus EO vapour was not an effective treatment to reduce spoilage of tomatoes by A. alternata, it reduced the growth of A. niger and P. chrysogenum by 50–60% on grain over 10days, suggesting its possible use in reducing spoilage in grain by these two species, especially as this treatment has previously been shown not to affect the organoleptic properties of raw vegetables.

Efficacy of sulfur dioxide as a grain preservative

High-moisture barley (30–32% moisture) was ensiled in a Harvestore silo (control), or treated with 1% (wt/wt) liquid sulfur dioxide (SO 2) and stored in an upright bag (69-ton capacity) woven of polyester (305 μm) with a 102-μm polyethylene coating. Liquid SO 2 was applied, through a plastic tube inserted 1m from the auger boot, as the grain was augered into storage. Retention of added sulfur was 50% at bin opening (74 days post filling) with no significant loss of sulfur for 7 months thereafter. Aerobic bacteria, anaerobic bacteria and fungal numbers for control and SO 2 treated barley, respectively, were: 10 3, 10 3; 10 8, 10 3; 10 3, 10 3 colonies g −1. Concentration (mg g −1 dry matter) of ethanol, acetate, lactate, and pH were significantly lower in SO 2 treated barley (20.6 vs. 0.8; 1.4 vs. 0.4; 8.1 vs. 5.3 and 5.7 vs. 3.3). SO 2-treated barley was well preserved at the bin perimeter. However, high temperatures (40–60°C) and extensive spoilage of grain occurred at the bin core. Spoiled grain had extensive mould growth, high pH and increased concentrations of acetate, furfural, ammonia nitrogen and acid detergent-insoluble nitrogen. Preserved SO 2-treated grain, from the bin perimeter, exhibited no visible signs of spoilage during 7 months of storage in unsealed wooden boxes (700-kg capacity). Moisture migration and resultant loss of molecular SO 2 appeared to be the primary factors leading to grain spoilage. In large-scale bins, aeration appears to be a critical factor in maintaining the efficacy of SO 2 as a grain preservative.

Tilletia caries . [Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria

Abstract A description is provided for Tilletia caries [Tilletia tritici] . Information is included on the disease caused by the organism, its transmission, geographical distribution, and hosts. HOSTS: On Aegilops, Agropyron, Bromus, Elymus, Hordeum, Poa, Secale, Sitanion, Triticum, Triticale . DISEASE: Causes common bunt (stinking or covered smut) of wheat. Tilletia foetida (CMI Descriptions 720) causes a virtually identical disease known by the same name. The grain tissues inside the pericarp are converted to a mass of black teliospores producing a 'bunt ball' as the head matures. Diseased plants may be slightly stunted, infected ears ripen slower and the glumes project more than in healthy ears. Losses are caused both by direct loss of grain and by spoilage of grain and flour by contamination with the bunt spores which are released when the crop is harvested. Bunt spores release trimethylamine which has an odour of decaying fish. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION: Widespread, occurs in most countries where wheat is arown (CMI Map 294, ed. 3, 1978). TRANSMISSION: Spores are released when the grain is harvested and are dispersed by air to contaminate healthy grain and soil. Spores germinate in moist soil to produce a basidium and acicular basidiospores (primary sporidia). These fuse to produce a dikaryotic mycelium which may directly infect host seedling coleoptiles or produce further secondary sporidia.

Ultrastructural Changes of Embryos in Wheat Infected with Storage Fungi

Spoilage of grain and oilseeds by storage molds, fungi which attack seeds during storage and cause deterioration, amounts to over 1% of the world's production (14). These losses include decrease in germinability, discoloration of seed, increase in free fatty acids, heating, mustiness, and production of mycotoxins (5). Previous studies concerning grain infected with storage fungi have been concerned with detection of these organisms or chemical changes which occur after infection. In this study electron microscopic examination of wheat (Triticum aestivum L., Pa 151X107) embryos was undertaken to determine the ultrastructural changes which may occur in wheat seeds infected with storage fungi of the Aspergillus glaucus group. The most striking change found in cells of infected tissue was the coalescence of lipid bodies (spherosomes) to form large masses of amorphous material. In addition, the protoplast was frequently withdrawn from the cell wall, and the plasmalemma appeared to be damaged. Aside from the ultrastructural changes in infected tissue, we report observations on