Effects of Storage Duration and Structures on Sesame Seed Germination, Mold Growth, and Mycotoxin Accumulation

Abstract

Sesame is an important oil crop for the Ethiopian economy. However, the lack of adequate storage facilities results in significant losses of sesame seeds. This study was designed to compare the effects of storage conditions and the subsequent impact on sesame seed germination, mold growth, and mycotoxin accumulation over the storage period. The efficacy of two hermetic bags (1. Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bags and 2. Super GrainPro (SGP) bags) was directly compared to sesame storage in polypropylene (PP bags) and Jute bags. Storage conditions (oxygen, carbon dioxide, temperature, moisture content and relative humidity) of samples were analyzed in the laboratory in three replicates. Results showed that the oxygen concentrations dropped to 6.9% (±0.02) in PICS bags and 8.7% (±0.06) in SGP bags at the end of 6 months of storage. In non-hermetic bags Jute and PP), oxygen levels were close to atmospheric levels at 2-, 4-, and 6-month storage periods. In non-hermetic bags throughout storage, the amount of seed infection by mold constantly increased, and seed germination decreased. Sesame seeds stored in hermetic bags had 89.7% (±0.58) to 88.3% (±2.89) germination rates versus 61.67% (±2.08) for non-hermetic storage bags over the 6-month seed storage period. All mycotoxin levels increased over the same storage period, whereas comparative levels were much lower in hermetic bags after six months. Sesame seeds stored in both hermetic bags had the lowest level of tested mycotoxins, and levels among the SGP and PICS bags were not significantly different from one another. This study provides strong evidence indicating that hermetic storage structures such as PICS and SGP significantly affect temperature, humidity, moisture content, CO2 and oxygen levels resulting in the lowering of fungal growth and mycotoxin accumulation and effectively preserving stored sesame without relying on synthetic pesticides in Ethiopia.

A Review on Seed Storage Technology: Recent Trends and Advances in Sustainable Techniques for Global Food Security

“…Furthermore, certain seeds, such as sesame seeds, are susceptible to genetic degradation during storage due to their high oil content and fast cellular respiration. Therefore, advanced storage technologies are necessary to mitigate these effects (Alemayehu et al, 2023).…”

Effects of environmental factors and storage periods on sesame seed quality and longevity

“…2). Moisture content levels of sesame seeds stored in jute bags and PP bags was increased linearly, whereas hermetic bags (Purdue Improved Crop Storage, PICS and Super Grain Pro, SGP bags) were keeping constant the seed moisture contents throughout the 6 months of storage period (Alemayehu et al 2023). Similarly, the conventional bags (jute and PP) exhibited highest increase in seed moisture content, while hermetically sealed PICS and SGP bags maintained a constant moisture content of sesame seeds (less than 7%) in the six storage months (Berhe et al 2023).…”

“…Mold growth is encouraged through moisture, damaging the seeds depending on the moisture content of the seeds (Hong and Ellis 1996). Mycotoxin levels in sesame stored in polypropylene (PP bags) and Jute bags were increased, whereas much lower in hermetic bags after six months storage period (Alemayehu et al 2023). Except seed moisture is at least eight percent or below, fungi and insects such as weevils can breed causing rapid destruction of seeds in a short period of time.…”

“…Hermetic storage technologies (PICS and SGP bags) effectively control moisture and temperature of sesame seeds, thereby maintain the quality of seeds during a six month storage (Berhe et al 2023). Temperature levels of sesame seeds stored in jute bags and PP bags was higher, whereas in the hermetic bags (PICS and SGP bags) was lower throughout the 6 months of storage period (Alemayehu et al 2023). Regardless of the construction material used, storage structures must be as weather proof as possible, yet still allow easy access to the bin for sampling and monitoring.…”

Detection of microorganisms and afla toxins (B1) in local wheat grains and local flour produced in Iraq

“…(7), 715 million tons per year is the total world production per year, thus ranking second after corn in consumption and about (billion tons / year), and The most famous microbes are Widespread and highly common damage caused by loss of grain quality during storageperiod is the growth of the mold. (1).…”