Influence of storage environment on maize grain: CO2 production,dry matter losses and aflatoxins contamination

Poor storage of cereals, such as maize can lead to both nutritional losses and mycotoxin contamination. The aim of this study was to examine the respiration of maize either naturally contaminated or inoculated with Aspergillus flavus to examine whether this might be an early and sensitive indicator of aflatoxin (AF) contamination and relative storability risk. We thus examined the relationship between different interacting storage environmental conditions (0.80–0.99 water activity (a_w) and 15–35°C) in naturally contaminated and irradiated maize grain + A. flavus on relative respiration rates (R), dry matter losses (DMLs) and aflatoxin B1 and B2 (AFB1-B2) contamination. Temporal respiration and total CO₂ production were analysed by GC-TCD, and results used to calculate the DMLs due to colonisation. AFs contamination was quantified at the end of the storage period by HPLC MS/MS. The highest respiration rates occurred at 0.95 a_w and 30–35°C representing between 0.5% and 18% DMLs. Optimum AFs contamination was at the same a_w at 30°C. Highest AFs contamination occurred in maize colonised only by A. flavus. A significant positive correlation between % DMLs and AFB1 contamination was obtained (r = 0.866, p < 0.001) in the irradiated maize treatments inoculated with A. flavus. In naturally contaminated maize + A. flavus inoculum loss of only 0.56% DML resulted in AFB1 contamination levels exceeding the EU legislative limits for food. This suggests that there is a very low threshold tolerance during storage of maize to minimise AFB1 contamination. This data can be used to develop models that can be effectively used in enhancing management for storage of maize to minimise risks of mycotoxin contamination.     

Influence of harvesting and drying techniques on microflora and mycotoxin contamination of figs

Mould growth and mycotoxin (aflatoxins and ochratoxin A) formation were examined in the 1993 dried figs crop. The relationships between mould/mycotoxin contamination and orchard conditions, different harvesting techniques, harvesting time and intactness of fruits were investigated. The fruits were examined during drying and effects of different pretreatments, sun drying and solar drying on the mould and mycotoxin contamination in figs were also studied. Aflatoxins (B₁, B₂, G₁ and G₂) were not present in the firm or shrivelled ripe figs. Among the samples examined during drying, only one of the 32 samples was found to be aflatoxin positive. Ochratoxin A was not detected in any of the samples analysed. The moisture content, a_w and pH values of full ripe and shrivelled fruits were suitable for mould growth and mycotoxin formation while these parameters in pretreated and dried fruits were found to be too low to allow such outcome. It was observed that harvesting the fruit by hand-treating with different solutions and application of solar drying were effective in reducing contamination level.     

Kinetics of mould growth in the stored barley ecosystem contaminated with Aspergillus westerdijkiae,Penicillium viridicatum and Fusarium poae at 23–30 °C

BACKGROUND: Owing to the lack of a rapid method for determining fungi on cereals, the best way to enhance the safety and nutritive value of stored grain is to develop prognostic tools based on the relationship between easily measurable online parameters, e.g. water activity (a_w) and temperature (t) of grain, and fungal growth. This study examined the effect of unfavourable temperature (23 and 30 °C) and humidity (0.80–0.94 a_w) storage conditions on mould growth in the stored barley ecosystem with its adverse microbiological state provided by contamination with Aspergillus westerdijkiae, Penicillium viridicatum and Fusarium poae. RESULTS: Among the applied storage parameters, a_w turned out to be the main factor affecting mould development. The longest lag phase and period of fungal activation were observed for grain with 0.80 a_w, which was not threatened with fungal development for at least 30 days. However, in grain with 0.92 and 0.94 a_w, fungal activation occurred within 24–48 h. CONCLUSION: The obtained data and the identification of critical points in mould growth may be used to develop a control system for the postharvest preservation of barley based on a_w and temperature of grain, which are easy to measure in practice. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Evolution of grain microbiota during hermetic storage of corn (Zea mays L.)

Respiration of biotic components of the grain ecosystem generates self-modified atmospheres (oxygen reduced and carbon dioxide enriched) during hermetic storage. The effect of temperature, moisture content and modified atmospheres on the evolution of maize microbiota is not entirely known. In this study, corn grain samples were conditioned to different moisture contents (14.3, 16.5 and 18.4%) and hermetically stored in glass jars at 15, 25 and 35 °C. Grain samples were collected at different stages of modified atmosphere evolution of each experiment: T0 (O₂: 21% initial concentration); T1 (O₂: 10%); T2 (O₂: 0%); T3 (CO₂ maximum concentration stabilized). Microbiota was quantified with Petri dish counts using selective growth media for different microbial groups. Additionally, ethanol, acetic acid and lactic acid were measured for monitoring anaerobic activity. Results indicated that there was a high correlation between water activity (a_w) and the time to reach anaerobiosis (R² of 0.85), the maximum CO₂ concentration (R² of 0.86), and the reduction of filamentous fungi and bacterial counts during hermetic storage (R² of 0.72 and 0.48, respectively). A differential behavior of the hermetic storage was observed according to a_w of the grain, and a general conceptual model is offered for its understanding. It was concluded that modified atmospheres reduced or inhibited microbial growth in stored corn, and that a_w was the most influential factor in the time to reach anaerobiosis, maximum CO₂ concentration, and the filamentous fungi and bacterial counts reduction during hermetic storage.     

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 N₂ and O₂ 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°C, maize grains having 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 reserves 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. © 1998 SCI.     

Influence of Storage Atmosphere on Several Chemical Parameters of Sun-Dried Shrimp

Sun-dried shrimp from Taiwan and Louisiana were stored at 22°C for 8 months in modified atmospheres of air or vacuum. Packages were randomly selected at 2-month intervals and analyzed for moisture, water activity (a_w), total volatile nitrogen, ammonia and pigment oxidation. Moisture and a_w were shown to decrease during the storage period regardless of the package atmosphere; however, the amount of decrease was less in samples stored under vacuum than in air. Total volatile nitrogen and ammonia increased during the storage period, with samples stored in air showing the greatest increases. Pigment oxidation reached a maximum at 4 months, samples stored in a vacuum showed the least amount of oxidation.     

Relationship between environmental factors,dry matter loss and mycotoxin levels in stored wheat and maize infected with Fusarium species

This study examined the relationship between storage environmental factors (water activity (a _w) (0.89–0.97) and temperature (15°C–30°C)), colonisation of wheat and maize by Fusarium graminearum and F. verticillioides respectively and the dry matter losses (DMLs) caused and quantified by contamination with deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEA) and fumonisins (FUMs) during storage. Fungal growth was assessed by the amount of CO₂ produced under different interacting conditions of a _w and temperature. DMLs were quantified using the cumulative CO₂ data, and these were shown to increase as temperature and a _w increased. The amount of DON, ZEA (wheat for human consumption) and FUMs (feed maize) produced was significantly affected by the storage conditions. The three toxins however showed different patterns of production. Optimum for DON was at the wettest conditions (0.97a _w) and the highest temperature assessed (30°C), whereas for ZEA this shifted to 25°C. FUMs were produced in higher amounts in maize at 30°C and 0.97a _w; however, at intermediate a _w levels (0.955a _w), the highest production occurred at 25°C followed by 20°C. Polynomial models were developed for the effect of the storage factors on DMLs and toxin production. DMLs under different environmental conditions were significantly correlated with DON and FUMs. DON contamination was above the EU limits in at least 80% of the wheat samples with DMLs >1%, whereas at least 70% of the same samples contained ZEA above the respective EU legislative limits. Similarly, at least 75% of the maize samples with DMLs?≥?0.9% exceeded the EU limits for the sum of FUMs in feed. These results show that it may be possible to use temporal CO₂ production during storage of grains as an indicator of the level of contamination of the grain with mycotoxins.     

Death rates of Salmonellae in fishmeals with different water activities. I. During storage

Fishmeals with different moisture contents, having water activities (a_w) ranging from 0.34 to 0.71, were infected with strains of Salmonella oranienburg or S. senftenberg and were stored at 15, 20 and 30°c, packed in nitrogen or air. The initial death rates (calculated over storage periods of 70 days) were not appreciably influenced by reduction of a_w from 0.71 to 0.54. Further reduction of a_w to 0.34 caused a decrease of the initial death rate, in particular in meals stored at 15 or 20°c. As compared with fishmeals packed in air, meals packed in nitrogen showed a decrease of initial death rates, especially in meals with the lowest a_w and stored at 15 and 20°c. Death rates calculated over longer storage periods were smaller than initial death rates, in particular in meals with a_w 0.54 stored at 15 and 20°c and meals with a_w 0.34 stored at 15, 20 and 30°c. Pelletisation of meals with a_w 0.72-0.74 caused a 10²-10³-fold reduction of initial Salmonella counts. The death rates of salmonellae which survived the pelletisation treatments were of about the same order as found for the initial death rates of salmonellae in non-pelletised meals with about the same a_w.     

Impact of moisture content and maize weevils on maize quality during hermetic and non-hermetic storage

The objective of this study was to determine the impact of moisture content and Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky on maize quality during hermetic and non-hermetic storage conditions. Commercial Channel 211-97 hybrid maize kernels were conditioned to 14, 16, 18, and 20% moisture content (wet basis), and then three replications of 300 g of maize grain were stored in glass jars or triple Ziploc^® slider 66-μm(2.6-mil) polyethylene bags at four conditions: hermetic with weevils, hermetic no-weevils, non-hermetic with weevils, non-hermetic no-weevils. All jars and bags were stored in an environmental chamber at 27 °C and 70% relative humidity for either 30 or 60 d. At the end of each storage period, jars and bags were assessed for visual mold growth, mycotoxin levels, gas concentrations, pH level, the numbers of live and dead S. zeamais, and maize moisture content. The maize stored in non-hermetic conditions with weevils at 18 and 20% exhibited high levels of mold growth and aflatoxin contamination (>150 ppb). Conversely, very little mold growth was observed in maize stored in hermetic, and no aflatoxins were detected in any moisture level. CO₂ increased and O₂ gradually decreased as storage time increased for maize stored in hermetic conditions (with or without weevils) in all moisture level. No significant difference in pH was observed in any storage conditions (P < 0.05). Total mortality (100%) of S. zeamais was observed in all hermetically stored samples at the end of 60 days storage. Moisture content for hermetically stored maize was relatively constant. A positive correlation between moisture content and storage time was observed for maize stored in non-hermetic with weevils (r = 0.96, P < 0.05). The results indicate that moisture content and the number of S. zeamais weevils plays a significant role in maize storage, both under hermetic and non-hermetic conditions.     

Fusarium langsethiae: Storage environment influences dry matter losses and T2 and HT-2 toxin contamination of oats

The aim of this study was to determine the environmental conditions over which Fusarium langsethiae species can (a) grow, (b) produce T-2 and HT-2 toxins in oats, and (c) to determine the relationship between dry matter losses (DMLs) and mycotoxin accumulation in stored oats for the first time. Oats were stored under different combinations of water activity (0.89–0.97 a_w) and temperature (15–30 °C) and the amount of CO₂ produced was measured on a daily basis by gas chromatography (GC). These data were used to quantify the effect of storage on dry matter losses. Results showed that the optimum conditions for colonisation of oats and T-2 and HT-2 toxin production by F. langsethiae were at 0.97 a_w and 25 °C. T-2 and HT-2 contamination exceeded 4 mg/kg and 0.75 mg/kg respectively after 10 days storage at these conditions and the calculated DMLs were also higher, exceeding 2%. At intermediate (0.945) and suboptimal (0.89) a_w levels for growth of F. langsethiae, DMLs were higher at 30 °C than 25 °C. Models were developed to relate quality losses and toxin production to the different storage conditions. This allows the identification of high and low risk conditions for storage of oats. A good positive correlation was obtained between combined T-2 and HT-2 toxin production and DMLs. This suggests that in situ measurements of CO₂ production during storage may be useful in predicting toxin accumulation in stored oats.     

Influence of γ‐irradiation and maize lipids on the production of aflatoxin B1 by Aspergillus flavus

The effect of γ‐irradiation and maize lipids on aflatoxin B₁ production by Aspergillus flavus artificially inoculated into sterilized maize at reduced water activity (a_w 0.84) was investigated. By increasing the irradiation doses the total viable population of A. flavus decreased and the fungus was completely inhibited at 3.0 kGy. The amounts of aflatoxin B₁ were enhanced at irradiation dose levels 1.0 and 1.5 kGy in both full‐fat maize (FM) and defatted maize (DM) media and no aflatoxin B₁ production at 3.0 kGy γ‐irradiation over 45 days of storage was observed. The level in free lipids of FM decreased gradually, whereas free fatty acid values and fungal lipase activity increased markedly by increasing the storage periods. The free fatty acid values decreased by increasing the irradiation dose levels and there was a significant enhancement of fungal lipase activity at doses of 1.0 and 1.50 kGy. The ability of A. flavus to grow at a_w 0.84 and produce aflatoxin B₁ is related to the lipid composition of maize. The enhancement of aflatoxin B₁ at low doses was correlated to the enhancement of fungal lipase activity.     

Comparative utility of hermetic and conventional grain storage bags for smallholder farmers: a meta-analysis

Postharvest management is critical to attaining household food, nutrition, and income security. Hermetic grain storage bags offer an effective pesticide-free way to protect stored grain against fungal and insect infestation. We evaluated articles indexed in the Web of Science that included experiments comparing the storage efficacy of conventional and hermetic storage bags based on grain germination rate, insect infestation, physical damage, mycotoxin contamination, and changes in weight and moisture content. Compared with grain stored in hermetic bags, grain stored in conventional bags lost 3.6-fold more seed viability, contained 42-fold more insects, had 11-fold more physical damage, and lost 23-fold more grain weight, while grain moisture levels were similar for both hermetic and conventional storage bags. Mycotoxin contamination levels were not as frequently assessed. Levels could be low in grain stored in both types of bags, or levels could be low in hermetic bags and significantly higher in conventional bags. The improved properties of grain stored in hermetic bags can increase food security and household income by providing safe storage options for maintaining seed germinability, and for consumption and/or sale when food supplies are high, or when prices are low. Hermetic bags are economically feasible for use by subsistence farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa for grain for household consumption and for carrying-over seed for planting in the next season. Additional studies are needed to verify the mycotoxin contamination results and to determine if there are differences in functional food characteristics, e.g. flavor and cooking properties, that have not been as comprehensively studied. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.     

Effects of oilseed substrates (ground nyjer and flax seeds) on the growth and Ochratoxin A production by Aspergillus carbonarius

Aspergillus carbonarius is one of the major Ochratoxin A (OTA) producing fungus. Nyjer and flax seeds are important oilseeds that are used for both human and animal consumption, but they are highly susceptible to fungal growth and mycotoxin contamination. The objectives of this study were to determine the growth and OTA production by A. carbonarius on ground nyjer and flax seeds with water activity levels ranging from 0.82 to 0.98 a_w at three incubation temperatures (20, 30, 37°C). It was found that A. carbonarius was not able to grow on the two types of oilseeds with 0.82 or 0.86 a_w. Also, the fungus was not able to grow on flax seeds with high water activity (0.98 a_w). The OTA was only detected on flax seed samples with 0.94 a_w at 20°C. On nyjer seeds, the highest concentration of OTA (271 μg/kg) was detected from samples with 0.98 a_w incubated at 20°C for 5 days, while on flax seeds the highest OTA (146 μg/kg) was found on the seed samples with 0.94 a_w incubated at 20°C for 15 days. Linear regression models also indicated that 0.98 a_w was optimal for both fungal growth and OTA production on nyjer seeds. Overall, ground nyjer seed is better than flax seed to support growth and OTA production by A. carbonarius.     

基于监测过氧化氢酶活性对储藏玉米AFB1污染的早期预警

早期预警是防控储藏玉米污染黄曲霉毒素B1(AFB_1)的重要手段。将不同含水量的玉米置于各种温度环境下进行储藏试验,研究过氧化氢酶活性变化与玉米污染黄曲霉毒素B1(AFB_1)的关系,结果表明,两者数据变化的趋势一致,AFB_1是过氧化氢酶活性的二次曲线函数(相关性系数大于0.95)。储藏温度和玉米含水量等条件可改变所含霉菌产生AFB_1和升高过氧化氢酶活性的速度,但不影响数值变化的趋势。在各种储藏条件下,过氧化氢酶活性变化可比玉米中AFB_1含量显著变化的起始点提前4~21d。因此,借助检测过氧化氢酶活性的方法可以早期预警储藏玉米污染AFB_1。     

Influence of packaging material on moisture sorption and the multiplication of some toxigenic and non-toxigenic Aspergillus spp. infecting stored cereal grains,cowpea and groundnut

The moisture sorption isotherms of jute sack were determined at 12, 22, and 32°C by a standard procedure using glycerol:water mixtures providing equilibrium relative humidities (ERH) of 65, 70, 75, 80, 90 and 95%. The equilibration period of jute sack kept at 65–85% was found to be between 6–8 days whereas the moisture content (MC) and weight of jute sack kept at 90–95% continued rising. The amount of moisture absorbed at 12°C was significantly greater (P < 0.05) than at 32°C. Analysis of variance applied to collected data of adsorption at ERH 85% (a_w 0.85) and desorption ERH 20% (a_w 0.20) showed that incubation period, type of commodity and type of packaging material as well as the interaction of these factors significantly influenced the moisture sorption and desorption by cowpea, groundnut (shelled), white maize, millet and sorghum. Each food commodity absorbed water differently in the jute and woven polypropylene sacks. However, food commodities stored in jute sack significantly absorbed and desorbed moisture to a greater extent than the same produce stored in woven polypropylene. Mould and yeast count on seed and grain lots in woven polypropylene at ERH 20% were 1.0–1.5 log cycles lower after 6 months storage than same seed and grain lots kept in jute sack. Correspondingly, mould and yeast count on seeds stored in woven polypropylene at ERH 85% were 2–3 log cycles lower than same produce kept in jute sack. Both ambient sttorage humidity and type of storage sack had profound effect on the occurrence of toxigenic and non-toxigenic mould species on cowpea, groundnut, maize, millet and sorghum. The toxigenic moulds and non-toxigenic Aspergillus species reduced considerably the self-life of seeds kept particularly in jute sacks. Practical implications of these findings are discussed in relation to grain food storage in the tropics.     

Browning reactions during storage of low-moisture Australian sultanas: Evidence for arginine-mediated Maillard reactions

Browning during storage of low‐moisture dried Vitis Vinifera L. cv. Sultana (Thompson Seedless) grapes was examined in a multifactorial treatment and storage trial. Grapevines were subjected to two different levels of sun exposure, harvested fruit was dipped and subjected to different drying treatments to obtain a range of initial moisture contents (a_w= 0.419–0.558). The storage effects of temperature (10^oC and 30^oC), and the presence of oxygen on colour change (CIE L*a*b* tristimulus values, hue‐angle (h_ab*)) and chroma (C_ab*) over a fourteen‐month period were observed. The most significant changes in colour were measured for samples stored at 30^oC, both aerobically and anaerobically, although the largest changes occurred in the presence of oxygen. Initial a_w had a strong effect on colour changes; higher a_w non‐sunfinished samples underwent more significant browning compared to lower a_w sunfinished controls regardless of their oxygen status. Changes in the concentration of the free‐arginine and free‐proline, the most abundant free amino acids in sultanas, were monitored throughout the storage period. Free arginine decreased significantly at 30^oC in both the absence and presence of oxygen, whereas free proline increased (at both 10^oC and 30^oC), implying that free proline did not play a role in browning reactions at those temperatures. In addition to the decreases in free arginine, the concentration of 5‐hydroxymethyl furfural (5‐HMF), a marker of Maillard browning reactions, increased significantly in samples stored at 30^oC. Significant differences in the concentrations of 5‐HMF under the two oxygen conditions indicated sultana Maillard reactions, and possibly other non‐enzymatic browning processes, were oxygen sensitive.     

Post-harvest control strategies: minimizing mycotoxins in the food chain

Contamination of cereal commodities by moulds and mycotoxins results in dry matter, quality, and nutritional losses and represents a significant hazard to the food chain. Most grain is harvested, dried and then stored on farm or in silos for medium/long term storage. Cereal quality is influenced by a range of interacting abiotic and biotic factors. In the so-called stored grain ecosystem, factors include grain and contaminant mould respiration, insect pests, rodents and the key environmental factors of temperature, water availability and intergranular gas composition, and preservatives which are added to conserve moist grain for animal feed. Thus knowledge of the key critical control points during harvesting, drying and storage stages in the cereal production chain are essential in developing effective prevention strategies post-harvest. Studies show that very small amounts of dry matter loss due to mould activity can be tolerated. With <0.5% dry matter loss visible moulding, mycotoxin contamination and downgrading of lots can occur. The key mycotoxigenic moulds in partially dried grain are Penicillium verrucosum (ochratoxin) in damp cool climates of Northern Europe, and Aspergillus flavus (aflatoxins), A. ochraceus (ochratoxin) and some Fusarium species (fumonisins, trichothecenes) on temperate and tropical cereals. Studies on the ecology of these species has resulted in modelling of germination, growth and mycotoxin minima and prediction of fungal contamination levels which may lead to mycotoxin contamination above the tolerable legislative limits (e.g. for ochratoxin). The effect of modified atmospheres and fumigation with sulphur dioxide and ammonia have been attempted to try and control mould spoilage in storage. Elevated CO2 of >75% are required to ensure that growth of mycotoxigenic moulds does not occur in partially dried grain. Sometimes, preservatives based on aliphatic acids have been used to prevent spoilage and mycotoxin contamination of stored commodities, especially feed. These are predominantly fungistats and attempts have been made to use alternatives such as essential oils and anti-oxidants to prevent growth and mycotoxin accumulation in partially dried grain. Interactions between spoilage and mycotoxigenic fungi and insect pests inevitably occurs in stored grain ecosystems and this can further influence contamination with mycotoxins. Effective post-harvest management of stored commodities requires clear monitoring criteria and effective implementation in relation to abiotic and biotic factors, hygiene and monitoring to ensure that mycotoxin contamination is minimised and that stored grain can proceed through the food chain for processing.     

Enzyme stability of microencapsulated Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis Bb12 after freeze drying and during storage in low water activity at room temperature

Abstract: Stability of enzymes such as β‐galactosidase (β‐gal), β‐glucosidase (β‐glu), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), pyruvate kinase (PK), hexokinase (HK), and ATPase of microencapsulated Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis Bb12 after freeze‐drying and after 10 wk of storage at low water activity (a_w) at room temperature was studied. Bacteria were microencapsulated using alginate formulation with or without mannitol fortification (sodium alginate and mannitol [SAM] and sodium alginate [SA], respectively) by creating gel beads followed by freeze drying. Two types of dried gel beads were then stored at low a_w, such as 0.07, 0.1, and 0.2; storage in an aluminum foil was used as control. All storage was carried out at room temperature of 25 °C for 10 wk. Measurement of β‐gal, β‐glu, LDH, PK, HK, and ATPase (with or without exposure to pH 2.0 for 2 h) activities was carried out before freeze drying, after freeze drying, and after 10 wk of storage. There was a significant decrease in almost all enzyme activities, except that of PK. SAM and SA showed no different effect on maintaining enzyme activities during freeze drying. Storage for 10 wk at room temperature at various low a_w using SAM and SA system had a significant effect on retention of most enzymes studied, except that of PK and LDH. Storage at a_w of 0.07 and 0.1 was more effective in maintaining enzyme activities than storage at a_w of 0.2 and in an aluminum foil. However, mannitol fortification into alginate system did not significantly improve retention of enzymes during 10 wk of storage.     

Effect of CO2 modified atmosphere packaging on aflatoxin production in maize infested with Sitophilus zeamais

The weevil Sitophilus zeamais (Motschulsky), the maize weevil, is a pest of stored maize that can cause feeding damage and lead to the proliferation of toxigenic fungi. The application of modified atmospheres with a high concentration of CO₂ is an alternative method for the control of S. zeamais and the inhibition of fungal growth. The objectives of the study were to determine the effect of S. zeamais infestation, grain damage and grain moisture content on aflatoxin production by Aspergillus flavus on maize, and the impact of high CO₂ modified atmosphere packaging on pest infestation and aflatoxin production. Mycotoxin production was only recorded when maize was infested with S. zeamais and had A. flavus inoculum. However, production of mycotoxins was not recorded when the maize was mechanically damaged and stored at 18% moisture content, indicating that the biological activity of the insect was determinant in the production of mycotoxins. The high CO₂ modified atmosphere packaging tested (90% CO₂, 5% O₂ and 5% N₂) prevented mycotoxin production.     

Assessing Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bags to mitigate fungal growth and aflatoxin contamination

Storing maize in regions of the world without sufficient drying and storage capacity is challenging due to the potential risk of aflatoxin contamination produced by Aspergillus flavus. This study sought to determine if storage of maize in Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bags prevents mold growth and aflatoxin accumulation. PICS bags are a three-layer, hermitic bag-system that forms a barrier against the influx of oxygen and the escape of carbon dioxide. Maize conditioned at 12, 15, 18, and 21% grain moisture was inoculated with 50 g of maize kernels infected with fluorescent-marked strain of A. flavus. The grain was stored in either PICS or woven bags at 26 °C, and percent oxygen/carbon dioxide levels, fungal growth, aflatoxin, moisture content, and kernel germination were assessed after 1 and 2 months incubation. Maize stored in woven bags was found to equilibrate with the ambient moisture environment over both storage periods, while PICS bags retained their original moisture levels. Aspergillus flavus growth and aflatoxin accumulation were not observed in maize stored in any PICS bags. No aflatoxin B1 was detected in woven bags containing low-moisture maize (12 and 15%), but detectable levels of aflatoxin were observed in high moisture maize (18 and 21%). The percentage of oxygen and carbon dioxide within PICS bags were dependent on initial grain moisture. Higher carbon dioxide levels were observed in the bags stored for 1 month than for 2 months. High initial moisture and carbon dioxide levels correlated with low kernel germination, with the 18 and 21% treatment groups having no seeds germinate. The results of the study demonstrate that storage of maize in PICS bags is a viable management tool for preventing aflatoxin accumulation in storage.