The aim of the study was the scientific substantiation and practical implementation of the technology for storage of wet and raw corn grain in silo bags, which guarantees its proper quality and safe storage. The object of the study was the technology of grain storage under anaerobic conditions of silo bags. The subject of the research was the physical and technological properties of the grain mass of corn, its chemical and biochemical composition, physiological processes of respiration, microbiological state, storage processes.
At the first stages of research, the analysis of the grain of 10 different hybrids of dent-type corn DK 315, DK 391, DK 440, DKC 3511, DKC 3705, DKC 3795, DKC 4082, DKC 4490, DKC 4590, DKC 4795 crop in 2013 was carried out. As a result three most promising hybrids were found (DKC 3511, DKC 3705 and DKC 4590), which, in terms of their agrotechnical properties, are most suitable for growing on agricultural holdings, and the grain yield obtained from them has the best performance due to its technological properties. Further, the chemical composition of corn grain was studied before and after 3 months of storage at various temperatures. The moisture content of grain, mass fraction of protein, carbohydrates, and their fractional composition (starch, mono- and disaccharides, fiber), fat and ash were determined. Studies have shown that there were practically no changes in the content of these components, determined for dry matter. Only small differences were observed within the experimental error.
The moisture content of corn grain samples increased by 0.07...2.23% in all grain samples, which was caused by the absorption of moisture vapor that is released during grain respiration. Since dry matter of grain is consumed for the respiration process, at the end of storage a decrease in the amount of mono- and disaccharides was noted by 1.15...6.53%, as well as starch by 1.1...4.99%.
The effect of anaerobic storage conditions of corn grain on changes in the Falling Number (FN) was investigated, which indirectly characterizes the activity of the α-amylase enzyme. The FN was determined by the Hagberg-Perten method, which is a standardized method (ICC 107/1, ISO 3093-2004, AACC 56-81B). Selected freshly harvested corn grain samples with an initial moisture content of 14%, 21% and 28% were stored under anaerobic conditions at temperatures of 18 ° C, 11 ° C and 4 °C. The corn grain was stored for 12 weeks and the FN was determined weekly. Studies have shown that in corn with an initial moisture content of 14%, regardless of temperature conditions, there is a steady tendency for a gradual decrease in the FN for 3 months. In samples with moisture content above 14%, at the beginning of storage, an increase in the FN is observed, the intensity of which depends on the initial moisture content of the grain and the temperature conditions. This period of the FN growth in the grain moisture ranges of 14...28% and storage temperatures of 4...18 °С lies within 2...4 weeks. After the completion of the post-harvest ripening processes, its further storage leads to a decrease in the FN. Before placement for storage, the QMAFANM indicators (thous. CFU / g) of samples of corn grain with a moisture content of 14%, 21% and 28% were determined, which amounted to 51...59, 550...570 and 560...670, respectively. The contamination of the samples with molds and yeasts (CFU/g) was at the level of 90...180, 470...590 and 660...700, respectively. The results showed that during the 3-month storage of grain samples under anaerobic conditions, their total surface contamination gradually decreased and at the end of the 3-month storage period at a temperature of 11 °C was for grain with a moisture content of 21% and 28%, respectively (thous. CFU/g) 270 and 340. At 18 °C, the same trend is observed. At this temperature, the total surface contamination of grain samples at the end of storage was 180 and 210 (thousand CFU/g), respectively, for grain with a moisture content of 21% and 28%. So, the use of anaerobic storage conditions provides a decrease in the quantitative indicator of the total surface microflora and mold and yeast on the surface of the grain.
After the analysis of the research carried out, the critical stages were identified at which undesirable changes in the quality indicators of grain begin. Using the interpolation method, a table of safe storage periods has been developed.
Improvements in technology have been developed to optimize the processes of loading, extraction, accounting, deratization and work during storage. The improved technology was implemented at two elevators in the Khmelnytsky region, which made it possible to use only their own capacities of enterprises without involving third-party elevators.
