Effect of different storage strategies on the storability of wheat grain

Mekuannt Alefe Adimas; Biresaw Demelash; Mesfin Wogayehu Tenagashaw; Karta Kasek Kalsa

doi:10.20372/pjet.v1i2.1310

Mekuannt Alefe Adimas Bahir Dar institute of technology, Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia
Biresaw Demelash Faculty of Chemical and Food Engineering, Bahir Dar Institute of Technology, Bahir Dar University, P.O. Box 26, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
Mesfin Wogayehu Tenagashaw Faculty of Chemical and Food Engineering, Bahir Dar Institute of Technology-Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, P.O.Box 26, Ethiopia
Karta Kasek Kalsa Department of Technology multiplication and seed research, Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, P. O. Box 2003, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.20372/pjet.v1i2.1310

Keywords: Hermetic storage, Wheat, Weight loss, Insect damage, Triplex powder

Abstract

In Ethiopia information on post-harvest storage of wheat grain is not well documented. Hermetic storage methods are being promoted. Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of hermetic storage methods on the performance of stored wheat with full factorial design with triplication. The experiment consisted of six storage methods namely metal silos, Purdue Improved Grain Storage bag, Super GrainPro bag, Plastic drum, Triplex applied to wheat in Plastic drum, and polypropylene bag as control. Percentage of grain damage, weight loss percentage, thousand kernel weight, bulk density, live insect counts, dead insect counts, moisture content, water activity were determined after one year of storage. The ANOVA was determined by factorial using R software. Results indicated that storage methods such as PICS, Super GrainPro bags, Triplex applied to drum plastic, and plastic drums led to a significantly (P<0.05) lower levels of insect infestation, moisture content, and water activity compared to the control and the metal silo. Moisture content and water activity were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the metal silo compared to other hermetic storage methods and the control. The percentage of weight loss and percentage of grain damage were significantly lower in hermetic storage containers compared to the control. Hermetic storage methods including triplex powder applied to plastic drum can extended the stored wheat more than a year with a minimum damage and loss of wheat grain.