Effect of Ozone Treatment on Microbiological Properties of Stored Wheat

In this study, ozone gas was applied to samples of durum wheat stored in four experimental groups (durum wheat without any treatment for comparison, durum wheat treated with ozone, purified durum wheat, and purified durum wheat treated with ozone). Two groups were treated with ozone gas at 3 ppm concentration for 1 hour. Groups were then placed in air-tight glass jars and stored for 6 months at variable temperatures between 24.7°C to 34.8°C. Microbiological (total count bacteria, yeast/molds and coliform) and physical properties (moisture, color and ash) evaluated. Ozone application statistically caused a significant reduction in the numbers of bacteria, yeast, molds and coliforms. Ozone application, washing process and storage temperature are the major factors affecting the microbial counts. No significant differences were determined in moisture and ash contents of samples after ozone treatment. The color measurement results showed that color values of wheat samples were affected by ozone treatment, storage and washing.

Effects of hexanal fumigation on fungal spoilage and grain quality of stored wheat

The prevention of fungal spoilage is an essential consideration in wheat storage.Recent studies have revealed that volatile organic compounds(VOCs),possibly with natural fungicidal properties,could be produced from stored wheat grains.In this study,the antifungal effect of hexanal,a main component of VOCs from stored wheat,against spoilage fungi on agar plate and in high-moisture wheat grains were investigated via the gas fumigation method.And the impact of hexanal fumigation on grain quality was evaluated through analysis of the malondialdehyde content,fatty acid values,germination percentages and vigor of 16%and 18%moisture wheat grains fumigated with 1.66,2.49,and 3.31 mmol/L hexanal vapor.The results of in vitro antifungal experiments on agar plates revealed that the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum fungicidal(fatal)concentration of hexanal against the five fungi were 4–14 folds and 4–7 folds lower than those of propionic acid,respectively.The fungal spoilage of high-moisture wheat grains inoculated with pure fungal spores and with naturally occurring fungi could be completely inhibited by 1.66 mmol/L hexanal vapor.During 5-week storage of high-moisture wheat grains fumigated with 1.66,2.49,and 3.31 mmol/L hexanal vapor,the malondialdehyde content in high-moisture wheat grains did not change significantly in all samples,and fatty acid values were slightly higher in 18%moisture wheat than in 16%moisture wheat.The germination percentages and vigor of wheat samples decreased with increased hexanal vapor concentrations and moisture content.These results indicated that hexanal fumigation could be used as an alternative chemical control method to prevent the fungal spoilage of postharvest wheat.

Characterization of Three Novel Wheat LThinopyrum intermedium Addition Lines with Novel Storage Protein Subunits and Resistance to Both Powdery Mildew and Stripe Rust

Wide hybridization is an effective approach for enhancing the resistance of bread wheat （Triticum aestivum L.） to biotic and abiotic stresses by introducing favorable alien genes （Sepsi et al., 2008）. Wheatgrass, Thinopyrum intermedium （Host） Barkworth ＆ D.R. Dewey or Agropyron intermedium （Host） Beauvoir （2n = 42; genome formula JJjSjSstst）, is a perennial species in the tribe Triticeae and an important source of wheat improvement for biotic and abiotic stress resistance and quality-related traits, such as high grain protein concentration （Chen et al., 1998; 2001; 2003; Han et al., 2004; Li and Wang, 2009）. In addition, the ready crossing ability of wheatgrass with various Triticum species has made it popular in germ- plasm development.

Numerical investigation of low relative humidity aeration impact on the moisture content of stored wheat

High moisture content wheat kernels are subject to elevated respiration rates due to enzyme activity and mould growth that reduce the dry grain and may produce suffi-cient energy which may be harmful to wheat quality.Grain aeration provides a powerful nonchemical stored grain insect management.Currently,aeration is a suitable and economical device to overcome this problem.The moisture management is vital to prevent spoilage in stored grain.The objective of this study is to investigate the influence of using low relative humidity(RH)aeration on the wheat moisture content.The numerical investigation based on heat and mass balances is developed and used to simulate the evolution of grain temperature and moisture under various air RH in a wheat storage silo.Results show that the dehumidification of blown air had greater potential for decreasing RH of interstitial air and wheat moisture at 30◦C temperature and RH of 40%,50%and 60%.