What are the Important Elements in Grain Storage?
What Affects the Storage of Grains?
As is known, the primary goal in grain preservation is to maintain all the nutrients and processing values of the grain for as long as possible in their fresh state. During grain storage, all grain kernels, like all living organisms, continue their vital functions, albeit at a low level. In these conditions, the grain respires, and simultaneously, chemical and biochemical changes and differences occur as a result of metabolic events within it. During normal storage periods, very few changes generally occur in dry grain kernels with low moisture content.
Changes That Occur When Grains Are Stored Improperly
The temperatures and moisture contents of the products, the relative humidity of the air in the storage facilities, and the temperatures of the storage facilities are among the primary factors affecting grain storage services. At the same time, the amount of foreign matter in the products, the damage caused by microorganisms, pest damage, the characteristics of the storage facilities, and the transportation methods and vehicles for the products to be stored are also among the factors affecting storage. When grains are not stored under appropriate conditions, changes occur due to chemical and biochemical causes. The situations that occur in grain storage areas are as follows: Maillard reaction, degradation of the starch granule structure, breakdown of proteins, decrease in available lysine levels, and breakdown of vitamins occur. In particular, non-enzymatic reactions of lipids can occur within normal storage temperature limits.
