scholarly journals Effect of Blending Amaranth Grain with Maize Kernels on Maize Weevil Control during Storage

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 401-406
Author(s):  
Denis Bbosa ◽  
Thomas J. Brumm ◽  
Carl J. Bern ◽  
Kurt A. Rosentrater ◽  
D. Raj Raman
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Damage ◽  
Good Choice ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Maize Weevil ◽  
Postharvest Losses ◽  
Amaranth Grain ◽  
Amaranthus Spp ◽  
Maize Kernels ◽  
Additional Reduction ◽  
Temperature Test

HighlightsMixing amaranth grain and maize is a promising pesticide-free method for controlling maize weevils in stored maize.A 1:1 mixture by volume of maize and amaranth reduced the number of live weevils by 66% after 160 d of storage as compared to maize stored without amaranth.A further reduction in live weevils could be achieved by completely covering all maize kernels with a layer of amaranth.Insect-infested maize-amaranth mixtures had reduced spoilage due to mold during storage as compared to insect-infested maize stored without amaranth.Abstract. Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) is used as a vegetable, food, forage, and sometimes an ornamental. Amaranth grain has higher protein content than other cereals, making it a good choice for human consumption. Maize is among the three most widely grown grains in the world, but it can experience large postharvest losses during storage due to infestation by the maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais). Due to the small size of amaranth seeds, this study postulated that amaranth grain can be blended with maize during storage to fill the intergranular spaces between maize kernels, reducing the overall void volume to minimize maize weevil movements to access the kernels, and thereby controlling the maize weevil population. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects on maize weevil control of blending maize with amaranth grain during storage versus storing maize alone. Three 208 L (55 gal) steel barrels were loaded with 160 kg (353 lb) of maize, and three were loaded with a maize-amaranth mixture (1:1 by volume), all with initial weevil populations of 25 live weevils per kg of maize. Blending maize with amaranth for storage reduced the number of live weevils after 160 days by 66% compared to storing maize alone. Additional reduction of live weevils could be accomplished if the maize were completely covered by amaranth grain, further restricting maize weevil access to the maize kernels. Keywords: Broken corn and foreign material, Insects, Insect infestation, Mechanical damage, Moisture content, Postharvest losses, Relative humidity, Temperature, Test weight.

scholarly journals Convolutional Neural Networks Using Enhanced Radiographs for Real-Time Detection of Sitophilus zeamais in Maize Grain

Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 879
Author(s):  
Clíssia Barboza da Silva ◽  
Alysson Alexander Naves Silva ◽  
Geovanny Barroso ◽  
Pedro Takao Yamamoto ◽  
Valter Arthur ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neural Networks ◽  
Convolutional Neural Networks ◽  
Prediction Models ◽  
Sitophilus Zeamais ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Storage Pests ◽  
Maize Weevil ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Precise Control ◽  
X Ray Imaging

The application of artificial intelligence (AI) such as deep learning in the quality control of grains has the potential to assist analysts in decision making and improving procedures. Advanced technologies based on X-ray imaging provide markedly easier ways to control insect infestation of stored products, regardless of whether the quality features are visible on the surface of the grains. Here, we applied contrast enhancement algorithms based on peripheral equalization and calcification emphasis on X-ray images to improve the detection of Sitophilus zeamais in maize grains. In addition, we proposed an approach based on convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to identity non-infested and infested classes using three different architectures; (i) Inception-ResNet-v2, (ii) Xception and (iii) MobileNetV2. In general, the prediction models developed based on the MobileNetV2 and Xception architectures achieved higher accuracy (≥0.88) in identifying non-infested grains and grains infested by maize weevil, with a correct classification from 0.78 to 1.00 for validation and test sets. Hence, the proposed approach using enhanced radiographs has the potential to provide precise control of Sitophilus zeamais for safe human consumption of maize grains. The proposed method can automatically recognize food contaminated with hidden storage pests without manual features, which makes it more reliable for grain inspection.

Some factors influencing electrolyte leakage from maize (Zea mays L.) kernels

1991 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Bruggink ◽  
H. L. Kraak ◽  
M. H. G. E. Dijkema ◽  
J. Bekendam
Keyword(s):  
Zea Mays ◽  
Moisture Content ◽  
Electrolyte Leakage ◽  
Zea Mays L ◽  
Mechanical Damage ◽  
Kernel Weight ◽  
Conductivity Measurements ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Quality Testing ◽  
Maize Kernels

AbstractEven though the embryo of a maize (Zea mays L.) kernel contributes relatively little to total kernel weight, it is a main source of electrolytes which leach from the kernel during imbibition. Ageing of maize kernels for 18 days at 40°C and a moisture content of about 15% results in an increase of electrolyte leakage which almost exclusively originates from the embryo. The effect of ageing is most apparent after prolonged periods of imbibition. Mechanical damage increases leakage early during imbibition, the effect of damage being considerably larger for aged than for unaged kernels. The large amount of electrolytes measured after the first hour of imbibition of undamaged kernels comes mainly from the pericarp. The electrolyte content of the pericarp is variety dependent and may interfere with quality testing by conductivity measurements.

scholarly journals Evolution of the Avian Eggshell Biomineralization Protein Toolkit – New Insights From Multi-Omics

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathalie Le Roy ◽  
Lilian Stapane ◽  
Joël Gautron ◽  
Maxwell T. Hincke
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Binding ◽  
Egg Quality ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Mechanical Damage ◽  
Organic Matrix ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Terrestrial Environment ◽  
Avian Reproduction ◽  
Evolutionary Context

The avian eggshell is a remarkable biomineral, which is essential for avian reproduction; its properties permit embryonic development in the desiccating terrestrial environment, and moreover, are critically important to preserve unfertilized egg quality for human consumption. This calcium carbonate (CaCO3) bioceramic is made of 95% calcite and 3.5% organic matrix; it protects the egg contents against microbial penetration and mechanical damage, allows gaseous exchange, and provides calcium for development of the embryonic skeleton. In vertebrates, eggshell occurs in the Sauropsida and in a lesser extent in Mammalia taxa; avian eggshell calcification is one of the fastest known CaCO3 biomineralization processes, and results in a material with excellent mechanical properties. Thus, its study has triggered a strong interest from the researcher community. The investigation of eggshell biomineralization in birds over the past decades has led to detailed characterization of its protein and mineral constituents. Recently, our understanding of this process has been significantly improved using high-throughput technologies (i.e., proteomics, transcriptomics, genomics, and bioinformatics). Presently, more or less complete eggshell proteomes are available for nine birds, and therefore, key proteins that comprise the eggshell biomineralization toolkit are beginning to be identified. In this article, we review current knowledge on organic matrix components from calcified eggshell. We use these data to analyze the evolution of selected matrix proteins and underline their role in the biological toolkit required for eggshell calcification in avian species. Amongst the panel of eggshell-associated proteins, key functional domains are present such as calcium-binding, vesicle-binding and protein-binding. These technical advances, combined with progress in mineral ultrastructure analyses, have opened the way for new hypotheses of mineral nucleation and crystal growth in formation of the avian eggshell, including transfer of amorphous CaCO3 in vesicles from uterine cells to the eggshell mineralization site. The enrichment of multi-omics datasets for bird species is critical to understand the evolutionary context for development of CaCO3 biomineralization in metazoans, leading to the acquisition of the robust eggshell in birds (and formerly dinosaurs).

scholarly journals 042 Identification of High-yielding Grain Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) Cultivars

HortScience ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 448C-448
Author(s):  
Margaret J. Makinde ◽  
Adenike O. Olufolaji
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Grain Amaranth ◽  
Seed Rate ◽  
Green Leaves ◽  
Amaranth Grain ◽  
Amaranthus Spp ◽  
Yield Trials

Having established that the white-seeded amaranth (grain amaranth) can supply both green leaves and seeds (grains) for the Nigerian consumers, there was a need to find cultivars that could yield enough grains to be profitable for an amaranth farmer. Several lines (>100) were screened, with the opaque and creamy-colored seed as the ultimate target. These cultivars, NHAm 261-1 and NHAm258, were selected for yield trials. It was possible to have a high seed rate of 100 plants/m2, and thinning to 22 plants/m2 at the end of 6 weeks. These 22 plants were left to mature, and a maximum of 20 plants/m 2 were evaluated for grain yield. These two cultivars were found to give good fresh shoot yields as well as capacity for up to 3000/m2.

scholarly journals Postharvest Storage Practices of Maize in Rift Valley and Lower Eastern Regions of Kenya: A Cross-Sectional Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Koskei ◽  
Christine C. Bii ◽  
Protus Musotsi ◽  
Simon Muturi Karanja
Keyword(s):  
Rift Valley ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Fisher Exact Test ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Postharvest Losses ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
Local Farmers

An assessment of local farmers’ knowledge, attitude, and practices on postharvest maize storage and management was carried out with a view of understanding its role in maize contamination with mycotoxins and postharvest losses in Rift Valley and Lower Eastern Regions of Kenya among 165 and 149 farmers, respectively. Differences between the two regions were analyzed using the Chi-square test, Fisher exact test, and two-sample t-test. The median quantity of maize harvested by farmers in the two regions after shelling was 585 kg. A median of 20 kg of maize was put aside as a result of rotting before shelling, and there was a significant mean difference in maize set aside as a result of rotting between the two regions (107.88 kg vs. 31.96 kg; t (306.25) = 5.707, P value <0.001). The quantity of discoloured and mouldy maize consumed ranged from 0 to 90 kg; 7 (2.2%) respondents consumed mouldy maize, 36 (11.5%) fed it to cows, and 19 (6.1%) fed it to poultry. A small percentage (3.5%) believed mouldy maize is safe for human consumption, 23.6% for animal consumption, while 15.0% considered it safe for brewing, with the differences between the two regions being statistically significant (P value <0.05). Nearly half of the respondents (48.4%) kept maize on cobs indoors, 47.1% left it in the field without covering, and 33.1% consumed and sold maize while still green, with more farmers from Lower Eastern practicing this. The results of the study suggest that there were poor postharvest practices and low awareness levels among maize farmers and that this can lead to postharvest losses due to Fusarium spp. infection and mycotoxin contamination that poses a threat to human and animal food safety. This calls for interventions on better postharvest practices.

Aflatoxin B1 contamination in maize related to the aridity index in North Italy

2008 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 449-456 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Battilani ◽  
C. Barbano ◽  
G. Piva
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Meteorological Data ◽  
Aridity Index ◽  
Meteorological Conditions ◽  
Good Time ◽  
Contamination Level ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Physical Treatment ◽  
Aflatoxin B ◽  
Maize Kernels

The aim of this study was to develop a prototype simple predictive system for aflatoxin B1 contamination in maize based on meteorological data. A database was developed with meteorological data and aflatoxin B1 contamination level of maize samples collected over a five-year period. All data were georeferenced. An aridity index was computed to summarise meteorological conditions and was used to estimate the probability of aflatoxin B1 contamination running a logistic regression. Relevant differences were found between years both for meteorology and aflatoxin B1 contamination. North Italy is not arid and conditions for Aspergillus flavus development and aflatoxin B1 contamination of maize do not commonly occur. Nevertheless, arid areas were found in some years, and favourable conditions for aflatoxin B1 production were confirmed by maize kernels surveys. The aridity index is a good indicator to summarise meteorological conditions being significantly correlated to maize kernels contamination at harvest. The logistic regression gave acceptable warning on aflatoxin B1 contamination in maize with 64% correct predictions and 23% overestimates. Underestimates were 13%, but only half of these were contaminated with aflatoxin B1 above 5 µg/kg, the European legislative limit for maize to be subjected to sorting or other physical treatment before human consumption or to be used as an ingredient in foodstuffs as well as for complete feedingstuffs for dairy animals. First indications with this simple predictive system are available before mid-July with conclusive information in early September, which is a good time to plan maize management pre- and post-harvest.

scholarly journals Postharvest losses of fruits and vegetables in different microregions of Maranhão, Brazil

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 624-637
Author(s):  
Lusiane De Sousa Ferreira ◽  
Antonio Gabriel da Costa Ferreira ◽  
Deucleiton Jardim Amorim ◽  
Marcelo De Sousa da Silva ◽  
Luana Ribeiro Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Loss Rate ◽  
Mechanical Damage ◽  
Food Distribution ◽  
Fruit And Vegetables ◽  
Retail Markets ◽  
Postharvest Losses ◽  
Physiological Disorders

The fruits and vegetables sector is one of the most relevant activities in the Brazilian economy, but it is frequently affected by barriers, such as the expressive rates of postharvest losses. In Maranhão, studies about these indicators are scarce, although they could assist in the identification of risk factors, food distribution, and improvement in socioeconomic and environmentals aspects. This study aimed to carry out a socioeconomic survey of the marketing and post-harvest losses of fruit and vegetables in the main retail markets of seven cities in Maranhão. For six months, direct interviews in 107 commercial establishments, were performed. The results indicated that more than 96% of fruits and vegetables come from Piauí, Bahia, and Ceará, transported in open trucks, without refrigeration, and on paved roads. Among fruits, papaya (17.90%), avocado (16.55%), and guava (13.82%) stand out as those which commonly present a higher loss rate, while for vegetables were eggplant (24.70%), potatoes (15.98%), and cucumber (15.69%). Furthermore, Physiological disorders and mechanical damage were considered as the major causes leading to the losses. Comparing among the cities, Santa Quitéria and São Bernardo are the ones that showed elevated losses rates. Therefore, it is necessary to stimulate the production of fruits and vegetables in Maranhão, as well as to provide better training in commercial management and good postharvest practices to increase the profitability of this activity and reduce environmental impacts.

Evaluation of Hermetic Maize Storage in 208 Liter (55 Gal) Steel Barrels for Smallholder Farmers

2017 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 981-987 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denis Bbosa ◽  
Thomas J. Brumm ◽  
Carl J. Bern ◽  
Kurt A. Rosentrater ◽  
D. Raj Raman
Keyword(s):  
Moisture Content ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Mechanical Damage ◽  
Significant Loss ◽  
Test Weight ◽  
Population Densities ◽  
Maize Weevil ◽  
Tropical Regions ◽  
Hermetic Storage ◽  
And Control

Abstract. Maize is an important crop for many smallholder farmers in the world. Maize weevils () cause a significant loss in quality and quantity during maize storage, especially in tropical regions. Hermetic storage of maize has been shown to be effective in controlling maize weevils in laboratory and field settings. The objective of this research was to test the effectiveness of steel barrels that could be used by smallholder farmers for hermetic storage. Six 208 L (55 gal) steel barrels were each loaded with 170 kg (375 lb) of maize at an average moisture of 13.4% w.b., with initial weevil population densities of 25 live weevils kg-1 (11 live weevils lb-1) of maize. All six barrels were stored at 27°C (81°F) under non-hermetic conditions for 120 d, corresponding to approximately three weevil lifecycles. After 120 d, weevil population densities had increased to an average of 99 live weevils kg-1 (45 live weevils lb-1) in all six barrels. Three of the six barrels were subsequently hermetically sealed. After an additional 30 days (150 days since experiment start), the weevil population densities were zero in every hermetically sealed barrel (100% mortality) and averaged 141 live weevils kg-1 (64 live weevils lb-1) in the non-hermetic barrels. All barrels where then exposed to non-hermetic conditions for an additional 40 days (approximately one weevil lifecycle). The barrels previously under hermetic conditions had zero live weevils, while the other barrels averaged 214 live weevils kg-1 (98 live weevils lb-1), demonstrating that all stages of weevils (eggs, larvae, and pupae) were killed. Means of barrel oxygen content, test weight (TW), moisture content (MC), temperature, and humidity were significantly different between the hermetically sealed and control treatments. In contrast, broken corn and foreign material (BCFM) and mechanical damage (MD) were not significantly different. Hermetically sealed steel barrels may be an effective maize storage option for smallholder farmers. Keywords: BCFM, Maize weevil, Mechanical damage, Moisture content, Mortality, Mycotoxins, Test weight.

Conditions Modifying Expression of Resistance of Maize Kernels to the Maize Weevil 1

1976 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 163-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. V. Schoonhoven ◽  
E. Horber ◽  
R. B. Mills
Keyword(s):  
Maize Weevil ◽  
Maize Kernels

scholarly journals Postharvest losses of perishables in Brazil: what do we know so far?

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gilmar Paulo Henz
Keyword(s):  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Technological Development ◽  
Mechanical Damage ◽  
Postharvest Losses ◽  
Horticultural Crops ◽  
Comprehensive Survey ◽  
Exact Figure ◽  
The Subject ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT Although difficult to pin down an exact figure, the idea that postharvest losses (PHL) of perishables in Brazil stand at 30-45% has been widely accepted. In spite of the modernization of production systems and the logistics and distribution of perishables in the last decades, postharvest losses continue to be a persistent and relevant problem. However, little is known about what has already been published on the subject. This work addresses precisely this issue, based on a comprehensive survey of publications on PHL of fruits and vegetables. Bibliographic searches were performed at the Embrapa’s library system, Google Scholar and SciELO. Several publications on PHL of fruits and vegetables were reviewed and grouped according to their scope and objectives into three major categories: (1) PHL studies: estimates, measurements, research projects, reviews; (2) postharvest technologies: application of technologies, studies of postharvest physiology, diseases and/or mechanical damage; (3) economics: studies of economics, logistics and management. Results of this analysis are discussed in a historic perspective and mainly in what they reveal of the impact of social and technological development on the studies of PHL in horticultural crops.

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