Fundamental study on perspectives for post-harvest bioprotection of cereal crops

As a result of the rapidly growing human population, reducing post-harvest crop losses of cereals due to microbial pests has major importance. Therefore, recent advances and emerging technologies for chemical, physical and microbial grain decontamination were reviewed as part of this thesis. It became evident that no single treatment can sufficiently decontaminate cereals without quality deterioration. This thesis investigates the spread of a fungal contamination during storage if the crop is treated inappropriately. During 6 weeks of storage, the ergosterol content (measure of fungal bio-mass) increased from