ABSTRACT
Grain Storage Principles General Food grains are living organisms. Hence, the grain should be stored as a living seed. A grain is physiologically quite stable after harvesting and this stability as well as its viability should be preserved in a good storage method. Under natural conditions, however, stored grain undergoes chemical changes within itself. Its further deterioration is caused by external living organisms, such as insects, microorganisms, molds, fungi, mites, and rodents. †e stored grain in bulk is a system in which deterioration results from interactions among physical, chemical, physiological, and biological variables. Some of the variables are temperature; moisture; oxygen; storage structure; physical, chemical, and biological properties of grain bulks; microorganisms; and insects, mites, rodents, and birds. In fact, they seldom act alone or all at once. †ey interact with the grain in groups, among themselves. Initially, the rate of deterioration is slow, but as the favorable combinations of variables are set and the storage period is prolonged, a very high loss in grain quality and quantity occurs (Figure 7.1).
