Abstract:
Post-harvest grain storage is crucial for
maintaining the grain quality and ensuring food
security. This study assesses the variation in
quality parameters and aflatoxin contamination
of corn seeds under two storage conditions.
Treatments included Poly Propylene (PP) Woven
bags (T0), and Purdue Improved Crop Storage
(PICS) bags (T1), evaluated as a safer and cost
effective alternative. Dried corn seeds (Jet 999
variety, <13% moisture) were stored under
warehouse conditions (Temperature: 31-37 0C
and Relative Humidity (RH): 55-70%) in
Ihalagama, Kekirawa, North Central Province,
Sri Lanka. A total number of 54 corn seed
samples (27 per treatment) were evaluated to
measure changes in moisture content, seed color,
and aflatoxin contamination during an eight
week storage period in PICS and PP woven bags.
A significant (p <0.05) increase in aflatoxin
content was observed in PP woven bag by the
eighth week (2.87±0.25), whereas it aflatoxin
levels remained lowest in PICS bag (0.90±0.10).
Moisture content in T0 (PP woven bags)
significantly increased from 12.37% to 13.01%,
compared to a smaller increase in T1 (PICS bags)
from 12.34% to 12.50%. No significant
differences were observed in L, a, or b color
values between treatments over time (p >0.05).
These findings confirm that PICS bags provide a
chemical-free, cost-effective, and sustainable
alternative for safer corn storage in Sri Lanka,
with important implications for food safety,
postharvest policy, and industry adoption.
