Identification and evaluation of volatile odor-active pollutants from different odor emission sources in the food industry

In order to elucidate the nature of different odor-emission sources in the food industry, odor-active pollutants of the exhaust air in the cooling gases from coffee bean roasting, the exhaust air of fish meal production, and the exhaust air of swine breeding were investigated. Knowledge of what pollutants are present in the odor emission and are responsible for the malodor is vital to the development of suitable adsorbers/absorbers and filters, and combinations of the same. Therefore, the objective of these investigations was to identify and evaluate the characteristic impact of compounds in the exhaust air of these odor-emission sources. The volatile compounds were collected by using a microprocessor-controlled gas sampler through sorbent tubes of Tenax TA. The adsorbed compounds were analyzed by thermal desorption into a cryotrap and subsequent gas chromatography separation, followed by simultaneous olfactometry and mass spectrometry. In cooling gases of the coffee bean roasting numerous compounds (up to 100) were identified of which only 22 were important for the characteristic odor. These compounds were aldehydes (2-methyl propanal, 2- and 3-methyl butanal, 2-furancarboxyaldehyde, 5-methyl-2-furancarboxyaldehyde), diketones (2,3-butandione, 2,3-pentandione), pyrazines, pyridine, acetic acid, and furanmethanol. Other compounds with low concentrations but with a very low odor threshold and, therefore, important for the total odor were 3-methyl butanoic acid and guaiacol. Up to 50 compounds were identified in the exhaust air of fish meal production, the most significant of these being trimethylamine. Trimethylamine, with a very low odor threshold (0.0025 g/l air) and the highest content (up to 60% in the total ion chromatogram, more than 100 g/l) in the exhaust air of fish meal production, was responsible for the characteristic fishy odor. Beside trimethylamine only a few compounds, e.g., sulfides (dimethyl sulfide, dimethyl disulfide, dimethyl trisulfide), aldehydes (2-methyl propanal, 2- and 3-methyl butanal), ethanol, and guaiacol, played a secondary role for the total odor. In the exhaust air of the pig house up to 50 compounds were identified. Beside ammonia, the most important odor-active compounds were various carboxylic acids (acetic acid, butanoic acid, 3-methyl butanoic acid), sulfides (dimethyl sulfide, dimethyl disulfide, dimethyl trisulfide), trimethylamine, and the intensive odor-active p-cresol and 4-ethylphenol.     

Ambient gas/particle partitioning. 2: The influence of particle source and temperature on sorption to dry terrestrial aerosols

In a companion paper we reported that, for apolar and most polar compounds, the dominating sorption mechanism governing ambient gas/particle partitioning under dry conditions is absorption into a water-insoluble organic matter (WIOM) phase, whereas under moist conditions, polar and ionized compounds can partition additionally into a mixed-aqueous phase. In order to understand how sorption into the WIOM varies for particles from diverse terrestrial locations, we looked at over 500 equilibrium gas/particle partitioning constants, Kip, measured at a specific temperature and relative humidity (15 degrees C, 50% RH), covering aerosol samples from all seasons and various locations. The data indicate that for every sample the WIOM exhibits similar intermolecular interactions with gas-phase organic compounds. For a given compound, the Kip values usually vary within a factor 3 for different aerosol samples, though they could vary by up to an order of magnitude. This is most likely due to variations in the WIOM weight fraction. Fitted poly parameter linear free energy relationships (PP-LFERs) were validated by giving good predictions of Kip values for many SVOCs in the literature, including n-alkanes, organochlorines, PCBs, though not PAHs as much of the particle-bound PAHs are likely nonexchangeable with the air phase. This study also investigated the influence of temperature on partitioning to WIOM, and found thatthe temperature dependence of Kip values can be reasonably predicted using the pure compound's enthalpy of vaporization.     

Moisture‐Mediated Interactions Between Amorphous Maltodextrins and Crystalline Fructose

The effects of coformulating amorphous maltodextrins (MDs) and crystalline fructose, a deliquescent solid, on the moisture sorption, deliquescence point (RH₀), and glass transition temperature (T_g) behaviors were determined. Moisture sorption profiles of binary fructose:MD mixtures and individual ingredients were generated using controlled relative humidity (RH) desiccators and by dynamic vapor sorption techniques. Blends exhibited synergistic moisture uptake at RHs below the RH₀ of fructose, attributed to partial dissolution of fructose in plasticized MD matrices without a significant reduction in the RH₀ of the undissolved fructose. Increasing storage temperature decreased the onset RH for moisture sorption synergy. At all storage RHs, the measured T_g (2nd scan) was significantly reduced in fructose:MD mixtures compared to individual MDs, and was related to both the synergistic moisture uptake in the blends and heat‐induced ternary fructose–MD–water interactions in the differential scanning calorimeter. Differences were found between the behavior of fructose:MD blends and previous reports of sucrose:MD and NaCl:MD blends, caused in part by the lower RH₀ of fructose. The enhanced moisture sorption in blends of deliquescent and amorphous ingredients could lead to problematic moisture‐induced changes if storage conditions are not controlled.     

非发酵臭豆腐挥发性风味物质的研究

通过同时蒸馏萃取(SDE)得到非发酵臭豆腐的挥发性风味物质,并通过气相色谱-质谱联用仪(GC-MS)进行分析,共有49种化合物被检出。从含量上看,酸类、醇类、醛类、酯类是主要的种类。从化合物的香气活性值可知,3-甲基丁醛、(E,E)-2,4-癸二烯醛、二甲基二硫醚、4-甲基苯酚、丁酸乙酯、1-辛烯-3-醇、壬醛是非发酵臭豆腐挥发性风味成分的重要部分。并且,果味、脂肪味、卷心菜味、药味、泥土味等是非发酵臭豆腐的特征风味。     

基于GC-MS和嗅闻仪联用浓香型白酒中窖泥臭味成分分析

研究浓香型白酒中窖泥臭味物质的主要成分,对提高浓香型白酒的品质具有非常重要的意义。该实验采用气相色谱-质谱联用仪（GC-MS）和嗅闻仪相结合的分析方法,对浓香型窖泥和有窖泥臭味的基酒成分进行分析,筛选到基酒中产生窖泥臭味或异味的物质,通过香气重构和缺失验证试验定性研究。结果表明,产生窖泥臭味物质主要是三个部分：以含硫化合物引起窖泥臭味;以丁酸、已酸等有机酸引起窖泥臭味;以丁酸、辛酸等与4-甲基苯酚相互作用引起窖泥臭味。     

Effects of relative humidity on chloroacetanilide and dinitroaniline herbicide desorption from agricultural PM2.5 on quartz fiber filters

This study quantified the release of seven relatively polar preemergence herbicides to the gas phase from soil-generated PM2.5-loaded quartz fiber filters (QFFs) and bare QFF as a function of relative humidity (RH). A 48-hour desorption fraction, F48, was defined to evaluate the relative desorption behavior of herbicides from two families, chloroacetanilide (alachlor, butachlor, metolachlor, and propachlor) and dinitroaniline (pendimethalin, prodiamine, and trifluralin) using temperature- (8 degrees C) and humidity- (10-64% RH) controlled air at a flow rate of 4 L/min. With increasing RH, an increase in F48 by a factor of 2-8 was observed for all herbicides, except metolachlor and butachlor, which showed significantly strong sorption to both sorbents. The conjugate carbonyl oxygen and amide nitrogen in the chloroacetanilide structure enables stronger specific interactions with the sorbents, leading to lower desorption compared to the dinitroaniline herbicides. Desorption of chloroacetanilides decreased in the order propachlor > alachlor > metolachlor approximately butachlor, and desorption of dinitroanilines decreased in the order trifluralin > pendimethalin > prodiamine. These orders are consistent with the different substituents in the herbicide molecules for each family and their relative tendencies to coordinate with surface moieties as indicated by electron-donating capacity. Henry's law constant and Abraham's H-acceptor parameter were found to be useful empirical parameters for describing the F48 desorption behavior for all seven herbicides.     

Sampling atmospheric carbonaceous aerosols using an integrated organic gas and particle sampler

Measurement of particle-bound organic carbon (OC) may be complicated by sampling artifacts such as adsorption of gas-phase species onto particles or filters or evaporation of semivolatile compounds off the particles. A denuder-based integrated organic gas and particle sampler (IOGAPS), specifically designed to minimize sampling artifacts, has been developed to sample atmospheric carbonaceous aerosols. IOGAPS is designed to first remove gas-phase chemicals via sorption to the XAD-coated denuder, and subsequently particles are trapped on a quartz filter. A backup sorbent system consisting of sorbent- (XAD-4 resin) impregnated filters (SIFs) was used to capture the semivolatile OC that evaporates from the particles accumulated on the upstream quartz filter. A traditional filter pack (FP) air sampler, which uses a single quartz filter to collect the particles, was employed for comparison in this study. Elemental and organic carbon were determined from filter punches by a thermal optical transmittance aerosol carbon analyzer. Field measurements show that there was no significant difference between the elemental carbon concentrations determined by the FP and IOGAPS, indicating that particle loss during the transit through the denuder tube was negligible. Compared with the OC determined by FP (3.9-12.6 microg of C/m3), the lower OC observed on the quartz filter in the IOGAPS (2.2-6.0 microg of C/m3) was expected because of the removal of gas-phase organics by the denuder. Higher semivolatile organic carbon (SVOC) on the backup SIFs during the night (1.24-8.43 microg of C/m3) suggests that more SVOC, emitted from primary sources or formed as secondary organic compounds, partitions onto the particles during the night because of the decreased ambient temperature. These data illustrate the utility of an IOGAPS system to more accurately determine the particle-bound OC in comparison to FP-based systems.     

Effect of air relative humidity on ham rind and subcutaneous salted fat during the resting period

This study evaluated the effect of different air relative humidities (RH) on the nature and structure of the rind of dry-cured ham and of salted subcutaneous fat. After salting 16 hams were stored for 40 days at 4°C, and at two different RHs (50-55 and 80-85%). Salted subcutaneous fat samples were stored for 30 days at 15°C and at different RH (57.7, 70.8, 75.3 and 80.0%). Storage of hams at 50-55% RH after salting produced a whiteness on some parts of the rind, due to precipitation of salt inside the rind. Fat samples stored at 80.0% RH showed no oil drip and the fat cells observed microscopically were similar to non-salted cells. In contrast, fat samples stored at 57.7 and 70.8% RH showed oil drip and the fat cells from the external layer showed a wrinkled aspect in the optical microscope. Samples stored at 75.3% RH showed only a slight oil drip at the edges.     

New device and method for flux-proportional sampling of mobile solutes in soil and groundwater

The importance of monitoring the transport of organic contaminants in soil and groundwater, and the pros and cons of existing sampling methods, are outlined. A new, alternative sampling method is proposed, using a passive sampler that functions as a water-permeable, semi-infinite sink for passing solutes of interest. Tracers integrated in the device store information on the volume of water passing through the sampler during the installation period. The conceptual basis of the sampling method is described. This device enables flux-proportional monitoring of the concentrations of mobile contaminants in the soil and groundwater. 14C-labeled phenanthrene (PHEN) and glyphosate (GLY) are used as case study compounds in laboratory experiments. The sorption capacities and uptake kinetics of 13 adsorbents are screened and compared, as well as the dissolution kinetics of three tracer salts: calcium citrate, calcium fluoride (CaF2), and calcium hydrogen phosphate (CaHPO4). The application of the passive sampler is then demonstrated in long-term laboratory experiments, using large soil columns under steady-state hydraulic conditions. The accumulated flux of PHEN was sampled with an accuracy of 3.6%-17.8%, using graphitized carbon, hexagonal mesoporous silica, and cross-linked polymers as adsorbents. The accumulated flux of GLY was sampled with an accuracy of 12.4%, using gamma-alumina as an adsorbent. The advantages and limitations of this new environmental monitoring method are discussed.     

Manure-borne estrogens as potential environmental contaminants: a review

Livestock wastes are potential sources of endocrine disrupting compounds to the environment. Steroidal estrogen hormones such as estradiol, estrone, and estriol are a particular concern because there is evidence that low nanogram per liter concentrations of estrogens in water can adversely affect the reproductive biology of fish and other aquatic vertebrate species. We performed a literature review to assess the current state of science regarding estrogen physicochemical properties, livestock excretion, and the fate of manure-borne estrogens in the environment. Unconjugated steroidal estrogens have low solubility in water (0.8-13.3 mg L(-1)) and are moderately hydrophobic (log Kow 2.6-4.0). Cattle excrete mostly 17alpha-estradiol, 17beta-estradiol, estrone, and respective sulfated and glucuronidated counterparts, whereas swine and poultry excrete mostly 17beta-estradiol, estrone, estriol, and respective sulfated and glucuronidated counterparts. The environmental fate of estrogens is not clearly known. Laboratory-based studies have found that the biological activity of these compounds is greatly reduced or eliminated within several hours to days due to degradation and sorption. On the other hand, field studies have demonstrated that estrogens are sufficiently mobile and persistent to impact surface and groundwater quality. Future research should use standardized methods for the analysis of manure, soil, and water. More information is needed about the types and amounts of estrogens that exist in livestock wastes and the fate of manure-borne estrogens applied to agricultural lands. Field and laboratory studies should work toward revealing the mechanisms of estrogen degradation, sorption, and transport so that the risk of estrogen contamination of waterways can be minimized.     

Effect of Glycerol on Water Vapor Sorption and Mechanical Properties of Starch/Clay Composite Films

Plasticized starch/clay composite films were prepared by casting aqueous solutions containing oxidized corn starch, different concentrations of glycerol as a plasticizer and 5% clay (sodium montmorillonite, Na⁺‐MMT) on the basis of dry starch. The water‐binding properties of the composite films were evaluated by water vapor sorption isotherms at room temperature and various relative humidities (RHs). Mechanical properties and abrasion resistance were also analyzed for the films with varying glycerol contents at 68% RH and room temperature. Changes in water sorption isotherms suggested that glycerol interacted with both water and starch in a complicated way. A saturation phenomenon of glycerol, depending on RH, was observed based on the isotherms. Above this saturation content, phase separation of the system occurred with the appearance of free glycerol. According to mechanical performance and abrasion resistance, as well as water vapor sorption of the starch blend films, the three‐stage transition was presented to be related to the state of glycerol in the blend system, i.e. adsorption of glycerol onto H‐bonding sites of starch, supersaturation of glycerol as plasticizer and further supersaturation of glycerol. Only above the supersaturation content can glycerol play a plasticizer role in starch‐based composites.     

An isotope exchange technique to assess mechanisms of sorption hysteresis applied to naphthalene in kerogenous organic matter

The sorption of organic compounds to natural sorbents is often found to show hysteresis. The objective of this study was to develop an experimental technique based on the use of 14C isotopes to distinguish hysteresis due to experimental artifacts from true hysteresis due to thermodynamically irreversible processes. The study was also designed to investigate causation of true hysteresis (irreversible sorption). The technique determines the rates and the degree of isotope exchange (IE) on equilibrated sorption and desorption points at different constant bulk chemical concentrations. The technique was applied to the sorption of naphthalene (NAPH) on Beulah-Zap lignite, a low rank reference coal composed mainly of kerogen. Sorption of bulk was found to be reversible below 10(-5) g L(-1), but irreversible above 10(-4) g L(-1). Complete isotope exchange on sorption and desorption points that defined an irreversible cycle demonstrated that hysteresis was true. A comparison of normalized uptake and release kinetics of labeled and bulk NAPH at different concentrations revealed slow structural deformation processes of the sorbent during bulk sorption and desorption. This is taken as corroborating evidence for the pore deformation hypothesis of hysteresis in which incoming sorbate molecules induce quasi-reversible changes in the organic matter that lead to different pathways for sorption and desorption. Although unable to rule it out completely, the data demonstrate that physical entrapment of sorbate molecules plays a minor, if any, role to the observed hysteresis in this system.     

Degradation of β-carotene in amorphous polymer matrices. Effect of water sorption properties and physical state

BACKGROUND: The use of encapsulation in amorphous matrices of carbohydrate and/or polymer formed during dehydration processes to enhance the stability and retention of labile compounds is increasing in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Efforts to improve encapsulating properties have been made using mixtures of carbohydrates with proteins or gums in different proportions. The objective of the present work was to study the stability of encapsulated β‐carotene and its degradation kinetics in maltodextrin/gum arabic and maltodextrin/gelatin matrices in relation to the physical properties and state of the dehydrated matrix. RESULTS: The degradation of β‐carotene followed a first‐order kinetic model of fractional retention for all encapsulating matrices. The Guggenheim–Anderson–de Boer (GAB) model was adequate to describe the sorption isotherms of the studied systems. β‐Carotene losses were observed mainly at relative humidities (RHs) above the glass transition temperatures (T_g) of the corresponding systems, where the matrices were fully plasticised and collapsed (75 and 92% RH). At these high RHs the best β‐carotene retention was obtained in the system containing gum arabic. CONCLUSION: The results showed that pigment degradation was determined by the physical state of the matrix, related to the degree of collapse. They represent a contribution to the knowledge of physical factors that affect the retention kinetics of labile biomolecules encapsulated in dehydrated matrices. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Impact of Starch Gelatinization on the Kinetics of Maillard Reaction in Freeze-Dried Potato Systems

The objective of the present work was to contribute to the understanding of the changes in water-distribution and water–solids interactions that take place after starch gelatinization and to elucidate their influence on the kinetics of Maillard reaction in low-moisture potato starch systems. Maillard reaction was studied in freeze-dried native (NS) and gelatinized (GS) potato starch systems at 70°C. Water sorption isotherms were studied in a wide range of relative humidities (RH) and Guggenheim-Anderson-de Boer (GAB) model was applied. Thermal transitions were studied by differential scanning calorimetry; molecular mobility was estimated through time-resolved ¹H NMR, and Maillard reaction was followed photocolorimetrically. In NS systems, the Maillard reaction rate was inversely dependent with the increase of RH. These results are due to a heterogeneous distribution of water and reactants within the starch matrix. In GS systems, the rate coefficient of the Maillard reaction increased up to RHs between 75% and 84% and then decreased at higher RH values. In this case, Maillard reaction rate could be related to the physical properties of the matrix: T _g, water sorption, and water mobility can be relevant tools to predict the Maillard reaction rate-dependence on water content.     

Spray‐drying encapsulation of citral in sucrose or trehalose matrices: physicochemical and sensory characteristics

The potential of the disaccharide trehalose as carrier for producing spray‐dried citral was examined. Some physical and sensory characteristics of citral encapsulated in matrices containing either trehalose or sucrose and maltodextrin (MD) were analysed. They included water sorption, glass transition temperatures (T_g), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxation and citral retention during spray‐drying. The glassy state at room temperature (25 °C) was maintained as far as 33% relative humidities (RH) for the spray‐dried trehalose formulation and 43% RH for trehalose–MD; however, for sucrose–MD and for sucrose formulations, the glassy state was limited to RHs lower than 33% and 22%, respectively. Sensory evaluation and gas chromatographic analysis indicated that citral retention after spray‐drying was similar for matrices containing either trehalose or sucrose. However, trehalose formulations had improved physical stability as compared to sucrose.     

Effect of ozone on nicotine desorption from model surfaces: evidence for heterogeneous chemistry

Assessment of secondhand tobacco smoke exposure using nicotine as a tracer or biomarker is affected by sorption of the alkaloid to indoor surfaces and by its long-term re-emission into the gas phase. However, surface chemical interactions of nicotine have not been sufficiently characterized. Here, the reaction of ozone with nicotine sorbed to Teflon and cotton surfaces was investigated in an environmental chamber by monitoring nicotine desorption over a week following equilibration in dry or humid air (approximately 0% or 65-70% RH, respectively). The Teflon and cotton surfaces had N2-BET surface areas of 0.19 and 1.17 m2 g(-1), and water mass uptakes (at 70% RH) of 0 and 7.1% respectively. Compared with dry air baseline levels in the absence of O3, gas-phase nicotine concentrations decreased by 2 orders of magnitude for Teflon after 50 h at 20-45 ppb O3, and by a factor of 10 for cotton after 100 h with 13-15 ppb O3. The ratios of pseudo first-order rate constants for surface reaction (r) to long-term desorption (k) were r/k = 3.5 and 2.0 for Teflon and cotton surfaces, respectively. These results show that surface oxidation was competitive with desorption. Hence, oxidative losses could significantly reduce long-term re-emissions of nicotine from indoor surfaces. Formaldehyde, N-methylformamide, nicotinaldehyde, and cotinine were identified as oxidation products, indicating that the pyrrolidinic N was the site of electrophilic attack by O3. The presence of water vapor had no effect on the nicotine-O3 reaction on Teflon surfaces. By contrast, nicotine desorption from cotton in humid air was unaffected by the presence of ozone. These observations are consistent with complete inhibition of ozone-nicotine surface reactions in an aqueous surface film present in cotton but not in Teflon surfaces.     

DRY ICE IN VARIOUS SHIPPING BOXES FOR CHILLED POULTRY: EFFECT ON MICROBIOLOGICAL AND ORGANOLEPTIC QUALITY

SUMMARY– Comparisons were made of dry ice and weter ice in shipping boxes for chilled chickens. Three types of boxes were tested: wax-resin-coated corrugated fiberboard, expanded polystyrene foam, and wirebound wood-veneer. Microbial counts, CO₂ concentration, and off-odor development were determined. Microbial counts on poultry stored at 0.5°C for up to 9 days were not significantly different as a function of box type or coolant. Counts on poultry stored at 4.4°C were significantly greater at 9 days on poultry stored in fiberboard boxes with dry ice than on poultry with water ice in fiberboard boxes or polystyrene boxes with dry ice; at 3 and 6 days there were no significant differences. At 5.2°C, counts were significantly smaller in polystyrene boxes with dry ice than in either wirebound boxes with water ice or fiberboard boxes with dry ice. An off-odor not characteristic of spoilage odor could develop in CO₂ atmosphere storage earlier than spoilage odor in an air atmosphere if storage temperature was low (0.5°C). At higher temperature (5.2°C), spoilage odor in air occurred earlier than Co₂-related off-odor in Co₂ atmosphere.     

Empirical Model for Water Uptake and Hydration Rate of Food Powders by Sorption and Baumann Methods

The empirical model q = Q t/B + t, where q is the amount of water taken up at time t was useful to describe water uptake of several food powders determined either by the Baumann or the sorption isotherm method at 75.6 and 100% RH. The equilibrium values (Q) and the specific rate constant (K) derived from this model as (QB)^-1 could be used to characterize food materials for hydration capacity and rate. Large differences were observed in Q values between methods and between food powders. The Baumann Q values and sorption isotherm Q values at 100% RH ranked similarly water takeup of food powders (R = 0.97, p < 0.001). Baumann K values and sorption isotherm K values at 100% RH also correlated highly. However, little differences were observed among the K and Q values of different food powders determined by the sorption isotherm method at 75.6% RH.     

Comparative sorption and desorption of benzo[a]pyrene and 3,4,3',4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl in natural lake water containing dissolved organic matter

The sorption and desorption of two model compounds, benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and 3,4,3',4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl (TCBP), were studied in natural lake water with high dissolved organic matter (DOM) content using the equilibrium dialysis and Tenax extraction methods. The sorption of TCBP was lower and reached steady value more slowly than did BaP. Tenax extraction revealed at least two differently desorbing fractions for both model compounds, which also supported the conclusion that DOM-HOC associations may involve several mechanisms. The rapidly desorbing fraction may be attributed to freely dissolved and loosely sorbed compound, whereas the more strongly sorbed fraction may indicate the presence of specific binding sites. The data indicated that the association between hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOC) and DOM is not simply absorption that is solely driven by the lipophilicity of the sorbates. Although contact time had a rather negligible effect on the sorption of BaP, the proportion of desorption resistant fraction increased with time, whereas the desorption of TCBP was less affected by contact time. Steric factors may be the cause of the lower sorption and smaller desorption resistant fraction of TCBP. The results indicate potential differences in the behavior of PAHs and PCBs in the aquatic environment.     

Development and validation of a headspace model for a stored grain silo filled to its eave

A headspace computational model was formulated to predict air temperature and relative humidity (RH) in a grain silo using energy and mass balance principles. The headspace domain consisted solely of the headspace volume between the grain surface and the roof without exposed side wall, i.e., grain was filled to the eave, and was divided into nine control volumes. This approach resulted in nine headspace air temperatures and RHs which is unique compared to other published models. Solar radiation and convective heat transfer influencing the headspace temperature were included in the model. The periodic changes in solar radiation and wind speed induced temperature and humidity variations in the silo headspace. The driving factor behind the changes in headspace RH was the interchange of air through vents, the eave openings and from the grain mass. The headspace model predicted the air temperature and RH in each control volume and the associated roof temperatures. The predicted results were validated using data collected in the Stored Product Research and Education Center (SPREC) pilot silo during 2008. The standard error of prediction between the observed and predicted headspace temperatures was in the range of 3.9–5.4 °C, and between the predicted and observed headspace RH was 11.6%. It was concluded that the developed model can be used to predict temperature and relative humidity in the headspace of a silo filled level to its eave with reasonable accuracy.