Hermetic Storage of Shelled Peanut Using the Purdue Improved Crop Storage Bags1

ABSTRACT Low oxygen or hermetic storage has been successfully used to store several commodities such as corn (Zea mays L.), cowpea (Vigna Savi), cocoa (Theobroma cocao), coffee (Coffea and rice (Oryza sativa L.). However, previous research using for peanut groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) had mixed results. Research was conducted determine the effect on aflatoxin contamination, seed germination, oil chemistry of shelled hermetically stored in Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bags up 12 months. A 2 × 4 factorial study included 1) normal high oleic peanut, 2) two initial moisture contents by four treatments. The treatments were burlap control, PICS bags, 3) with air extracted vacuum, 4) sachets chlorine dioxide (ClO2) dry fumigant added. There three replications each treatment combination. Peanut an area maintained at a temperature above 21C. germination peanuts 77 80%, respectively. Initial concentration all less than ?g/kg. Bags opened, sampled, resealed 60, 159, 249, 301 d storage. Approximately half suffered significant rodent damage, infestation Indian meal moth (Plodia interpunctella). Only damage limited outer polypropylene bag. no live insects bags. Seed decreased samples average 6.3%. 19.2% compared 2.1% one 75 ?g/kg, remaining below detectable limit