Evaluation of Quality and Mass Loss of Maize (Zea mays) Stored in Rigid Hermetic Storage Structure (Aluminum Metallic Container) in a Tropical climate

摘要

This study evaluated the quality and mass loss of maize stored in rigid hermetic storage structure(Aluminum metallic container) in Minna, Nigeria for a period of 12 months. Carrying out this evaluationentailed the identification and purchase of freshly harvested maize hybrid 9021 single cross, which has notundergone any form of storage before sale at the market. The initial quality and mass characteristics weredetermined using standard methods, and was stored in 100kg capacity well sealed aluminum metallic containerthat was set up in a natural ventilated atmosphere under a mango shed. Samples were taken at 2 monthsintervals and any sampled metallic container was discarded due to the interference with the modifiedatmosphere. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Duncan’s multivariate test was used for the statistical analysisof data generated. The result showed that most quality variables depreciated at different level/significance after12 months of storage, except carbohydrate and energy values. The germination potential (g) depreciated from98.60%-89.00%, moisture content (MC) 10.90%-7.20%, crude fibre (CF) 2.50%-1.00%,, crude protein(CP)10.00%-4.52%, bulk density (BD) 0.74g/cm3-0.68g/cm3fat content (CFC) 4.96%-4.08%, ash content (AC)2.04%-1.50% while carbohydrate and energy values appreciated from77.69%-78.58% and 379.99%-380.56%.There was no significant mass loss (p?0.05) (after the 12 months of storage (44.85kg per 1000kg). Aluminiummetallic container retained germination potential and quality and mass characteristics especially whencompared to other available non- hermetic storage structures in the tropics. More public awareness targeted atfarmers, is needed to popularize this economical and zero chemical storage structure.