Modified atmosphere storage to prevent mould-induced nutritional loss in maize

Effect of modified atmosphere storage systems having 60% CO2, 40% CO2 and 20% CO2 in combination with N-2 and O-2 were studied on freshly harvested maize grain (var Deccan-103) to prevent moulding and loss of food reserves. Under favourable conditions of 90% relative humidity and at 25 +/- 2 degrees C, maize grains raving 15 and 20% moisture content stored for 45 days revealed significant postponement of visible moulding and the loss of food reserves. The results showed that, maize grain with 15% moisture content does not support mould growth even after 45 days of storage, as a result loss of food reserves reduced considerably. Visible moulding was postponed by 15 days under 60% CO2 and 40% CO2 atmospheres in grains with 20% moisture contents and the loss of food re jerves in MAS treated samples were significantly reduced over the untreated maize grains. Dry matter loss (DML) was also significantly reduced under 60% CO2 modified atmospheres in maize grains with 20% moisture content. (C) 1998 SCI