NUTRITIONAL AND PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES OF MAIZE (ZEA MAYS) PRESERVED IN METAL SILOS

Abstract:

The concerning global trend of maize (Zea Mays) deterioration and storage losses, particularly prominent in developing nations, has prompted the adoption of metallic silos, resulting in significant reductions in storage losses. Yet, the extended storage of maize (Zea Mays L.) in metallic silos introduces certain deteriorative transformations due to interactions between the stored maize and its immediate environment. These changes over time are anticipated to impact both Nutritional (NP) and Physical (PY) characteristics of the grain. This study aims to assess the quality attributes of maize stored in metallic silos over an eight-month period, with an emphasis on understanding the deterioration extent in select NP and PY traits. This assessment considers the storage duration, the grain’s spatial location within the bulk, and the size of the metallic silos. The obtained values are compared against a control, representing parameters measured using standard methods before the onset of storage. Concurrently, temperature and relative humidity in the storage environment are monitored throughout the study. A randomized block design encompassing 13 quality attributes, 9 sample locations, and 3 replicates, totaling 351 samples, forms the experimental framework. Data analysis employs the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 20) for Windows, utilizing Multiple Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) and Duncan’s multivariate test to ascertain significance levels and deterioration trends across the collected values. Evaluated NP properties encompass Ash content (AC), Crude Fiber (CF), Protein (CP), Carbohydrate content (CHO), Fats (FC), and Energy (EV). Similarly, assessed PY characteristics include Moisture content (MC, wb), Insect Damaged grains (ID), Foreign Matters (FM), Hectolitre weight (HC), Mould infested grains (M), and Germinability/viability (V). The study’s outcomes provide essential insights into the changes that occur during prolonged maize storage in metallic silos, shedding light on the dynamic interplay between storage conditions and grain quality.