Grain Fungal Spoilage Test Instructions

1. Test weight of any grain should be 100g per 8oz (250cc) jar (approximately the fill-line on Solvita jar)1. The moisture content should be determined at the time of the test and is used in the storage life calculations. There are two types of procedures for grain testing: Using as-is field moist samples which is the Woods End protocol, or using samples adjusted equally to 21% moisture, which is the Purdue Protocoli. The Woods End protocol is most useful to check new arrival and freshly-harvested grains going into storage, to determine that background respiration is sufficiently low for good storage. The Purdue-Stroshine protocol is a means to evaluate the spoilage potential. The latter is very important for long term storage or international shipping where moisture content is expected to drift upwards over time. Both methods contribute to full understanding of current and potential grain spoilage. 2. INSERT Gel-Indicator. Tear-open the Lo-CO2 foil package, remove the paddle and carefully insert into the grain sample as indicated, and firmly attach lid. Incubate at 24C for 4-24 hrs. Read results at 24 hrs (optionally also at 4 hrs for a more sensitive result) by removing the gel paddle from jar and sliding gel-side up into the CO2 reader; depress the CO2Lo button for the reading, and then the READ button to flash the LEDs- the results display immediately. If multiple readings are taken i.e. at 4 and 24hrs), after removing the paddle the first time from the jar, immediately place the lid back on it, take the DCR reading,
Two Solvita polystyrene jars are shipped with the DCR. Alternate reusable Glass Jars can be purchased from Fisher Scientific as: 250ml clear glass, polyvinyl lined cap, Cat #02-911-776.
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Woods End Farm & Laboratories, 2010

and then reinsert paddle into sample, and rapidly re-seal the jar. According to Purdue research, the CO2 leakage has been determined to be very small from this. 4. Results: The Color Unit (first line of text on reader) is the Color Value as per the visual color chart when set for CO2-Lo reading. These color ranges represent an arbitrary scale corresponding approximately to the log CO2 concentration; the second line on the reader gives the CO2 mg/kg readout. Calculate remaining days storage of grain sample, corresponding to 0.5% dry matter loss due to respiration, by the following formula. The loss of 0.5% corresponds approximately to a 1-grade in official quality rating. Days to 0.5% DM loss = 62.5 * sample weight (dry) DCR ppm readout. NOTES Jar type: The kit ships normally with Solvita polystyrene 8oz jars. Results taken in 8oz glass jars are more sensitive than those in plastic. For grain testing we recommend 8 oz Glass Jars (Fisher #02-911-776; see footnote on page 1). Jar size: Some grain labs use 200g weights of sample; if the relationship of weight to volume of jar remains the same i.e. 200 g in a 1 pint jar, then the conditions of this test remain the same and the calculations are consistent.

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References

1) Moog, DJP, R L Stroshine, L M Seitz 2010. Fungal Susceptibility at 4 Temperature-Moisture Combinations and Carbon Dioxide Kit Color Reader. Cereal Chem. 87(3):182-189 2) Chitrakar S, C J Bern, D S Shrestha. 2006. Quantifying Corn Deterioration Due to Fungal Growth by Use of CO2 Sensitive Gel. Applied Engineering in Agriculture. Vol. 22(1): 81-86 3) Moog, DJP, R L Stroshine, L M Seitz. 2008. Relationship of Shelled Corn Fungal Susceptibility to Carbon Dioxide Evolution and Kernel Attributes. Cereal Chem. 85(1): 19-26 4) Brinton, W. 2000. Alternate Grain/Bean Rotations for NE Organic Farming. SARE Report LNE98-113 USDA (these papers are available at www.solvita.com as free downloads.)

Woods End Farm & Laboratories, 2010