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Mold appearance and modeling on selected corn stover components during moisture sorption
C Igathinathane1, A R Womac, L O Pordesimo
1Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department, 100 Moore Road, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA.
Bioresource Technology
|January 30, 2008
Summary
Mold growth on corn stover components is accelerated by high water activity and temperature. Optimized models predict safe storage periods for corn stover, crucial for agricultural applications.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Microbiology
- Food Science
Background:
- Mold contamination poses a significant challenge to the storage of agricultural materials like corn stover.
- Understanding the environmental factors influencing mold growth is crucial for developing effective preservation strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of temperature and water activity on mold growth on different corn stover components.
- To develop predictive models for mold-free storage duration of corn stover.
Main Methods:
- Corn stover samples (leaf, stalk skin, stalk pith) were stored under controlled temperature (10-40°C) and water activity (0.11-0.98) conditions for 26 days.
- Visual monitoring of mold occurrence was conducted.
- Linear and exponential regression models were employed to predict mold growth and safe storage periods.
Main Results:
- Mold growth was observed on all components at water activity > 0.9, particularly above 30°C.
- Stalk pith showed the least resistance to mold growth, followed by stalk skin and leaf.
- A linear model incorporating temperature, water activity, and their interaction (T x a(w)) provided superior prediction of mold-free days (R²=0.99).
Conclusions:
- The interaction between temperature and water activity is the most significant factor influencing mold growth on corn stover.
- Developed predictive models can be utilized to determine optimal storage conditions and extend the shelf-life of corn stover components.
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