Ergosterol accumulation and oil quality changes in stored soybean invaded by Aspergillus ruber (A. glaucus group)

Soybean seed samples inoculated with spores of Aspergillus ruber were stored for 20 to 140 days at 25 +/- 1 degrees C with moisture content varying from 11.3% to 17.7%. Seeds were colonised by the fungus within 20 days at all moisture levels. Ergosterol concentration in seeds increased with time of storage, being slow in samples with moisture content of 11.3% to 13.1% and more rapidly in those with higher moisture content. Free fatty acid (FFA) content also increased following the pattern of ergosterol. Equations were used to predict minimum safe storage period of the seeds at 25 degrees C. The rise in FFA is due to increase of A. ruber mass within the seed. Fungal growth did not affect fatty acids profiles or iodine index of the extracted oil. The results suggest revision of the present recommendations regarding seed moisture during storage. The FFA concentration of a seed lot can be used as a sensitive indicator of seed deterioration due to storage fungi.