Carbon Dioxide for Storage of Milled Ricd

Abstract

A test of the efficacy of Co2 for storage of milled rice was undertaken using three varieties of rice. Each variety was stacked into lots of 72 ton after bagging in 100 kg jute bags; the bags were stacked on wooden pallets using a plastic floor sheet covering a cement floor. A further plastic sheet was used to cover each stack, the edges of the sheet beign sealed to prevent gaseous interchange. The three stacks were treated with 1.95, 1.97 and 2.03 kg CO2 per ton of rice, respectively. After sealing and pressure testing, the stacks were opened after 2}4 and 6 months respectively. During the storage period, changes in temperature and relative humiditywithin the stacks were monitored. Moisture content, insect pest infestation and damage, fungal infestation and grain quality, were measured before and at the end of the test periods. No live insects were found in any of the treated stacks at the end of the test. The level of fungal infection showed only a small increase after six months; there had been no increase after four months. Aflatoxins were not detected in any of the stacks. Grain quality showed a slight decrease with increased storage time.