Journal of Stored Products Research最新文献

Nutmeg seeds from Indonesia are an important agricultural commodity with various culinary and medicinal uses. However, they often face issues with fungal and aflatoxin contaminations, leading to increased border rejections. To address those issues, a study was conducted to minimize the risk of contamination by adjusting storage temperatures for whole nutmeg seeds without shells. The research involved storing nutmeg seeds at different temperatures (16, 22, and 28 °C) over three periods (0, 30, and 60 days) using hermetically sealed packaging to control Aspergillus flavus growth and aflatoxin contamination. The findings revealed that storing the seeds at 16 °C resulted in optimal moisture content (5–6%) and minimal weight loss (below 4%), preventing significant physical attribute degradation. This approach also effectively controlled mold growth (the least colony diameter = 14–20 mm), and subsequently kept aflatoxin B₁ (0.8–4.3 μg/kg), total aflatoxin (1.5–4.5 μg/kg), and ochratoxin A (0.6–1.1 μg/kg) contaminations below the allowable limit for up to 60 days. These findings are significant as they provide a viable solution for long-distance distribution, thereby reducing the risk of border rejections and increasing market value in the nutmeg industry.

The increasing prevalence of Fusarium graminearum, a major causative pathogen of Fusarium head blight in cereal crops, leads to contamination of grain with mycotoxins, which necessitates the development of effective management strategies. This study investigated whether postharvest Blown-Arc plasma treatment could reduce F. graminearum and associated mycotoxins in field-infested grain. Postharvest Blown-Arc plasma treatment for 60 or 180 s was trialled to reduce Fusarium graminearum and deoxynivalenol (DON) mycotoxins in field-infested wheat grain. Changes in fungal components of the grain microbiome following the treatment were assessed using metabarcoding analysis of the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer gene region, and liquid chromatography mass spectrophotometry was used to measure changes in concentrations of the mycotoxins deoxynivalenol (DON), DON-3-glucoside (DON3-G) and 3-acetyl-DON (3-ADON). Fusarium spp. were the most common taxa in the grain over two seasons, with the relative abundance being higher in 2020 (72%) compared to 2021 (45%). Postharvest plasma treatment of field-infested grain for 60 or 180 s did not significantly lower Fusarium abundance. Alpha and beta diversity of the natural mycobiota in the grain were also unaffected. The concentrations of mycotoxins were not significantly different after the treatments, except that in the 2021 trial, the 180 s treatment caused a significant increase in DON concentration. We concluded that the postharvest plasma treatment used in this study did not reduce Fusarium contamination or the concentration of mycotoxins, DON, DON3-G and 3-ADON in field-infested grain. The results highlight the importance of using field-infested grain in experiments, as opposed to grain inoculated under laboratory conditions, which provides only superficial infection. This approach is crucial for accurately understanding the dynamics of treatment efficacy.

In Benin, protecting maize stocks against pests remains a major problem. The aim of this study was to record the post-harvest storage/conservation structures for maize in southern and central Benin, and to analyze the factors associated with maize growers' choice of each storage structure. Then, 530 maize growers were interviewed in 24 arrondissements of 7 communes, one commune per department. The communes with the highest average maize production over the last 5 years were selected. The quantitative survey was followed by focus groups. Eleven storage/conservation structures divided into 4 categories were used by producers. The time length of the structures varied according to the type. The adoption of a structure depended on the storage form used by the grower, his PDA (Agricultural Development Pole) and the commune. The adoption of granaries made of local materials by producers was affected by level of education (P = 0.024), the producer's main activity (P = 0.026), the storage method used by the producer (on the cob with husks: P < 0.001 and without husks: P = 0.001) and the lifespan of the storage structure (P < 0.001). The use of rooms/stores by growers for bulk storage on the ground is affected by the grower's PDA (P = 0.042), the lifetime of the structure (P < 0.001) and the duration of storage (P = 0.008). The religion (P = 0.007), level of education (P = 0.006), storage form (P < 0.001) and whether or not producers had attended a training session on maize post-harvest technologies (P = 0.005) affected the choice of polyethylene bags for maize storage. Gender (P < 0.001), the producer's main activity (P = 0.007) and maize storage duration (3–6 months: P = 0.03; >6 months: P < 0.001) determined the adoption of barrels as storage structures by producers. The choice of storage/conservation structure for maize is determined by the storage method, the geographical position and the socio-professional and economic status of the producer.

The quality and storage stability of grains are crucial for global food security. However, these properties can deteriorate due to internal respiratory processes and external factors, leading to drawbacks such as color change, lipid deterioration, starch aging, and protein denaturation. Traditional thermal processing techniques often result in nutrient loss and quality deterioration, prompting an increased focus on novel non-thermal treatment technologies in grain storage research. This review focuses on the application of four non-thermal physical field technologies in grain storage: cold plasma, pulsed electric field, ionizing radiation, and ultrasonic treatment. It presents the fundamental principles and mechanisms of these non-thermal physical field technologies, outlining their impact on quality attributes such as color, texture, and flavor, as well as nutrients such as starch, protein, fat, and bioactive substances during grain storage. This review also discusses the application of non-thermal treatments to enhance grain quality and extend shelf life. The review also addresses challenges and future trends in applying these physical field technologies to grain storage, emphasizing the need for further research to understand the interaction between non-thermal processing techniques and grains. This understanding will facilitate the early adoption of these technologies in the food industry.

Maintaining optimal moisture content in grain storage is critical to ensuring adequate supply throughout the year, but it presents a significant challenge. Current moisture measurement methods often necessitate sophisticated and costly equipment. This paper introduces an approach employing real-time rice moisture content determination and detection of spoilage (specifically wet spots) within a storage facility achieved through the utilisation of radio waves operating at 2.4 GHz and 868 MHz, along with an ensemble-based machine learning algorithm. Experimental samples spanning from 12% to 30% moisture levels were collected, then subjected to pre-processing, and subsequently employed to train the Ensemble-based Rice Moisture Content and Localisation (eRMCL) algorithm. The eRMCL produced an effective prediction of both rice moisture content and the localisation of wet spots within the grain storage unit. The results show that compared to support vector machine, random forest, and machine learning methods, the eRMCL algorithm had the best performance metrics, with an accuracy of 94.8% in predicting the moisture content and location of spoilage in storage. The measurement of moisture content and the identification of wet spots in rice storage using the dual frequency wave approach were found to be more accurate than with a single frequency band. Thus, the dual frequency band is a novel method for the determination of the moisture content of stored rice and the localisation of the spoilage area.

Entomopathogenic nematodes, such as Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, have been widely recognized for their potential in biological control strategies to manage agricultural pests effectively. This study aimed to evaluate the penetration rate and efficacy of different H. bacteriophora isolates, including two isolates (HB4 and HBNL) and a hybrid strain (HBH), against Tenebrio molitor L. (Col: Tenebrionidae) adults. The research also aimed to determine whether there was a correlation between the mortality caused by these isolates and their penetration. These isolates were applied to T. molitor adults at different concentrations 0.78 IJs (infective juveniles)/cm² (50 IJs/Petri dishes), 1.57 IJs/cm² (100 IJs/Petri dishes), 2.36 IJs/cm² (150 IJs/Petri dishes), 3.14 IJs/cm² (200 IJs/Petri dishes), 3.93 IJs/cm² (250 IJs/Petri dishes), 7.86 IJs/cm² (500 IJs/Petri dishes), 11.8 IJs/cm² (750 IJs/Petri dishes), 15.72 IJs/cm² (1000 IJs/Petri dishes), 19.66 IJs/cm² (1250 IJs/Petri dishes). Another objective of the study was to observe the penetration rate means of these nematodes at consistent concentrations and record the resulting mortality rates. The findings revealed that the highest mortality rate of 100% was achieved at concentrations of 250, 500, 750, 1000, and 1250 IJs/Petri dishes. The HBH hybrid strain also exhibited the highest penetration rate mean of 20.33 IJs at a concentration of 1250 IJs/Petri dishes. These results highlight the efficacy of H. bacteriophora isolates and the hybrid strain in controlling T. molitor adults, with significant mortality rates observed at higher nematode concentrations. The study's emphasis on penetration rate means and the relationship between nematode concentration and pest mortality underscores the importance of optimizing entomopathogenic nematode applications for effective pest management.

Refrigeration equipment is a kind of equipment that uses refrigeration technology to maintain the low temperature state of food, medicine and other items, which is widely used in industrial, commercial and household fields. With the development of social economy and the improvement of people's living standards, the demand and technical level of refrigeration equipment are also constantly improving. This paper summarizes the technical progress of refrigeration equipment in recent years, mainly including the following three aspects: (1) the development direction and trend of refrigeration technology in refrigeration system; (2) Refrigerants commonly used in refrigeration systems and their advantages and disadvantages, as well as the research and application of new environmentally friendly refrigerants; (3) Technical progress of key components that affect the performance and efficiency of refrigeration systems, such as compressors, evaporators, condensers, and related optimization design and improvement methods. The purpose of this paper is to provide reference for the research and development of refrigeration equipment.

As a common pest in wheat flour, Tribolium castaneum Herbst (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) is responsible for economic losses and potential risks to food safety. This study aimed to investigate the feeding preferences of T. castaneum on wheat flour stored at different temperatures, analyzed the key flavor compounds influencing its feeding preferences, and laid down the foundation for the development of new T. castaneum attractants and repellents. According to results, in the early storage period, T. castaneum showed a higher preference for feeding on wheat flour stored at higher temperatures, but this trend decreased over the storage time with a preference shift towards the flour preserved at lower temperatures. The findings from GC-MS revealed changes in the types and concentrations of volatile components in wheat flour during storage. PCA and correlation analysis suggested that compounds such as 2-methyldodecane, 3-methyl-3-ethylheptane, benzaldehyde, decanal, and n-hexanol exhibited potential attractiveness to T. castaneum. Conversely, 2-methyloctane, 2,5-dimethyldodecane, and dodecane were identified as potential repellents. At different storage temperatures, benzaldehyde and 2-methyloctane displayed consistent attractant and repellent effects, indicating their potential as effective components for attractance and repellence. Overall, our work shed the light regarding the feeding preference of T. castaneum on wheat flour stored at different temperatures from the perspective of volatile component variations, and provided a theoretical basis for the development of novel attractants and repellents.

Actinidia arguta has good taste and nutritional value. It is a climacteric fruit that is not durable during storage and has a short shelf life. To investigate the effects of storage and transportation on the quality of the early maturing variety Chang Jiang No. 1 (CJ No. 1), shelf life models were developed applicable at different temperatures. Fuzzy mathematics was used to evaluate the sensory senses of different storage stages at 2, 5, 15 and 25 °C, and the storage end-time was determined to be 35, 25, 15 and 10 days, respectively. All indices followed zero-order reaction kinetics (ΣR₀² > ΣR₁²) and kinetic parameters k, A and E_a were calculated. Combined with the Arrhenius equation, a kinetic model was established based on key indices. The mean relative errors (MRE) of the key indices and shelf-life_All (SL_All) were less than 10% when comparing predicted and measured values. The weight of each index was determined using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), and a consistency test was conducted. Samples at 20 °C were selected to verify the model. The shelf life of CJ No.1 from 2 to 25 °C can be predicted according to the weighted model. The results of this study can help distributors and consumers determine the best time to eat A. arguta and the appropriate storage time. The ideas and methods of this study can also be promoted and applied to other fruit and vegetables to achieve a wider temperature range and a method of prediction of their shelf lives.

Traditional cold storage methods may not adequately preserve the flavor of apricot fruit, impacting its overall edible quality. Chitosan-gallic acid derivative membranes can address the insufficient antioxidant and antibacterial properties of chitosan alone, thereby better preserving the aroma of apricots. In this study, Xinjiang Saimaiti apricots were treated with chitosan (CS, 0.5% and 1%) and CS grafted with gallic acid (GA-g-CS, 0.5% and 1%) during storage at 1 °C ± 0.5 °C. The effects of GA-g-CS treatment on postharvest physiology, aromatic volatile content, amino acid content, and fatty acid content of apricots were analyzed. These results showed that 1% GA-g-CS derivatives effectively maintained fruit firmness, soluble solid content (SSC), and titratable acid (TA); postponed the rise in weight loss, fell in respiratory rate, and inhibited the release of ethylene. GA-g-CS derivatives could restrain the accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and increase the relative electrical conductivity. The results demonstrated that reducing polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity and improving peroxidase (POD) activity could delay fruit browning and aging. The application of 1% GA-g-CS effectively preserved the levels of esters and ketones in Saimaiti apricots throughout the storage period. Moreover, it decelerated the decline in aldehyde content and efficiently decreased the production of ethanol during storage. The correlation analysis revealed significant positive correlations between aspartate, alanine, linoleic acid, and α-linolenic acid and the main aroma components. Conversely, stearic acid exhibited a significant negative correlation with the main aroma components. To sum up, chitosan-gallic acid derivatives can be used as a new type of edible film for fruit and vegetable preservation. And it can extend the shelf life of Saimaiti apricots by 12 days, compared to traditional refrigeration.