Suitable Time of Using Carbon dioxide Fumigationfor Controlling Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxin Contamination in High Moisture Maze

Abstract

The experiment on starting time of carbob dioxide fumigation for controlling fungal growth and aflatoxin contamination of high moisture maize was carried out at Nakhon Sawan field Crops Research Center in 1993 and 1994. After shelling 0, 24, 48, and 72 hours, the rate of CO2 at 0.5 kg per ton was used to fumigate the grain bulks precedingly covered by plastic sheets respectively. Five days after fumigation, it was found that the fumigation performed within 48 hours gave effective controlled on Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxin contamination. The grain quality and apperance were not changed. temperatures in the bulks were reduced after the application of CO2. The non-fumigated grain bulk was severly infected by A. flavus. Aflatoxin contamination and grain temperature in the bulk significantly increased.