Functional Foods from Black Rice (Oryza sativa L.): An Overview of the Influence of Drying, Storage, and Processing on Bioactive Molecules and Health-Promoting Effects.

Black rice (Oryza sativa) stands out for its high content of bioactive compounds with functional properties that play an important role in health benefits. The phytochemical level is affected by industrial processing due to its instability to the hydrothermal process. Studies about the influence of industrial processing on the phytochemical profile of black-rice-based foods are still scarce. This study carried out a comprehensive review of the influence of industrial applications on the bioactive compounds in food products based on black rice and their health-promoting effects. Most industrial processes such as drying, storage, cooking, and extrusion affect phytochemical content and antioxidant capacity. Alternatively, technologies such as fermentation, UV-C irradiation, and sprouting can maintain or improve the phytochemical content in black rice products.

Monitoring and predicting corn grain quality on the transport and post-harvest operations in storage units using sensors and machine learning models.

Monitoring the intergranular variables of corn grain mass during the transportation, drying, and storage stages it possible to predict and avoid potential grain quality losses. For monitoring the grain mass along the transport, a probe system with temperature, relative humidity, and carbon dioxide sensors was developed to determine the equilibrium moisture content and the respiration of the grain mass. These same variables were monitored during storage. At drying process, the drying air and grain mass temperatures, as well as the relative humidity, were monitored. For the prediction of the physical and physical-chemical quality of the grains, the results obtained from the monitoring were used as input data for the multiple linear regression, artificial neural networks, decision tree, and random forest models. A Pearson correlation was applied to verify the relationship between the monitored and predicted variables. From the results obtained, we verified that the intergranular relative humidity altered the equilibrium moisture content of the grains, contributing to the increased respiration and hence dry matter losses along the transport. At this stage, the artificial neural network model was the most indicated to predict the electrical conductivity, apparent specific mass, and germination. The random forest model satisfactorily estimated the dry matter loss. During drying, the air temperature caused volumetric contraction and thermal damage to the grains, increasing the electric conductivity index. Artificial neural network and random forest models were the most suitable for predicting the quality of dry grains. During storage, the environmental conditions altered the moisture contents causing a reduction in the apparent specific mass, germination, and crude protein, crude fiber, and fat contents. Artificial neural network and random forest were the best predictors of moisture content and germination. However, the random forest model was the best predictor of apparent specific mass, electrical conductivity, and starch content of stored grains.

High-throughput phenotyping using VIS/NIR spectroscopy in the classification of soybean genotypes for grain yield and industrial traits.

Employing visible and near infrared sensors in high-throughput phenotyping provides insight into the relationship between the spectral characteristics of the leaf and the content of grain properties, helping soybean breeders to direct their program towards improving grain traits according to researchers' interests. Our research hypothesis is that the leaf reflectance of soybean genotypes can be directly related to industrial grain traits such as protein and fiber contents. Thus, the objectives of the study were: (i) to classify soybean genotypes according to the grain yield and industrial traits; (ii) to identify the algorithm(s) with the highest accuracy for classifying genotypes using leaf reflectance as model input; (iii) to identify the best input data for the algorithms to improve their performance. A field experiment was carried out in randomized block design with three replications and 32 soybean genotypes. At 60 days after emergence, spectral analysis was carried out on three leaf samples from each plot. A hyperspectral sensor was used to capture reflectance between the wavelengths from 450 to 824 nm. Representative spectral bands were selected and grouped into means. After harvest, grain yield was assessed and laboratory analyses of industrial traits were carried out. Spectral, industrial traits and yield data were subjected to statistical analysis. Data were analyzed by the following machine learning algorithms: J48 (J48) and REPTree (DT) decision trees, Random Forest (RF), Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and conventional Logistic Regression (LR) analysis. The clusters formed were used as the output of the models, while two groups of input data were used for the input of the models: the spectral variables (WL) noise-free obtained by the sensor (450-828 nm) and the spectral means of the selected bands (SB) (450.0-720.6 nm). Soybean genotypes were grouped according to their grain yield and industrial traits, in which the SVM and J48 algorithms performed better at classifying them. Using the spectral bands selected in the study improved the classification accuracy of the algorithms.

Monitoring of carbon dioxide and equilibrium moisture content for early detection of physicochemical and morphological changes in soybeans stored in vertical silos.

In the context of grain storage, impurities and soybeans defects in soybeans can significantly impact the equilibrium moisture content. This, cause moisture migration and heating of the stored product, leading to increased respiratory activity. Furthermore, temperature measurements within stored grain mass do not provide sufficient information for effective grain quality monitoring, primarily due to the grains excellent thermal insulating properties. To address this issue, we propose a different approach: monitoring the equilibrium moisture content and CO2 concentration as indicators of soybean respiration within the intergranular spaces of the stored grain mass. This study propose monitoring the CO2 concentration in the intergranular air along with environmental variables for early detection of physicochemical and morphological changes in soybeans stored in vertical silos using near infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Thermogravimetry and spectrometry analyses revealed that the interrelationships among variables had a direct impact on soybean quality attributes. Specifically, the presence of soybeans with 5.2 % impurities led to an increased in respiration rates, resulting in a CO2 concentration of up to 5000 ppm and the consumption of up to 3.6 % of dry matter. Consequently, there were changes in the percentage of ash, proteins, fibers, and oils compositions. These findings highlight the potential for indirect assessments, enabling the prediction of physicochemical quality and contamination of soybeans stored in vertical silos through continuous monitoring of CO2 concentration and equilibrium moisture content.

Understanding the combining ability of nutritional, agronomic and industrial traits in soybean F2 progenies.

Obtaining soybean genotypes that combine better nutrient uptake, higher oil and protein levels in the grains, and high grain yield is one of the major challenges for current breeding programs. To avoid the development of unpromising populations, selecting parents for crossbreeding is a crucial step in the breeding pipeline. Therefore, our objective was to estimate the combining ability of soybean cultivars based on the F2 generation, aiming to identify superior segregating parents and populations for agronomic, nutritional and industrial traits. Field experiments were carried out in two locations in the 2020/2021 crop season. Leaf contents of the following nutrients were evaluated: phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, copper, iron, manganese, and zinc. Agronomic traits assessed were days to maturity (DM) and grain yield (GY), while the industrial traits protein, oil, fiber and ash contents were also measured in the populations studied. There was a significant genotype × environment (G × A) interaction for all nutritional traits, except for P content, DM and all industrial traits. The parent G3 and the segregating populations P20 and P27 can be used aiming to obtain higher nutritional efficiency in new soybean cultivars. The segregating populations P11 and P26 show higher potential for selecting soybean genotypes that combine earliness and higher grain yield. The parent G5 and segregant population P6 are promising for selection seeking improvement of industrial traits in soybean.

Effects of corn drying and storage conditions on flour, starch, feed, and ethanol production: a review.

The objective was to review the effects of the drying and storage conditions of corn on the physical-chemical quality in the processing of starch and flour, in the production of animal feed, and in the industrialization of ethanol. Initially, the review presented an overview of the post-harvest stages of corn grains, highlighting drying and storage. The main drying and storage methods used for corn grains were presented. Among the drying conditions, the air temperature was the main factor that affected the properties of starch, flour, feed, and ethanol produced from corn. It was verified that the corn grains submitted to drying at temperatures below 60 °C obtained better results in the industry. In storage, in addition to the storage time, factors such as temperature and moisture content of the grains affected the physical-chemical quality of the processed products. In this stage, the moisture content below 14% and the storage temperature below 25 °C conserved the physical-chemical quality of the grains and obtained better processing results. Further studies are needed to assess the effects of the drying and storage conditions of corn on the properties of flour, starch, animal feed, and, mainly, ethanol production.

Thick layer drying and storage of rice grain cultivars in silo-dryer-aerator: Quality evaluation at low drying temperature.

Drying rice in a single layer in a silo-dryer-aerator allows uniform drying. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physical, physicochemical, and morphological quality of rice grain cultivars (IRGA 424, BRS Pampeira, and Guri INTA) in the lower (initial time) and upper (final time) layers in a silo-dryer-aerator, employing single-layer loading at low temperatures, using the methods of near-infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and multivariate statistical analysis. Drying rice in silo-dryer-aerator attenuated the moisture diffusivity in the grains, minimizing its effects on the physical, physicochemical, and morphological properties of the grains. However, the physicochemical constituents and morphology of starch were preserved by the low drying temperatures, mainly in the lower layers throughout the 2-month drying. The rice grains of the Guri INTA and BRS Pampeira cultivars were the most resistant to drying and showed greater uniformity on the final quality.

Sensor-cable-probe and sampler for early detection and prediction of dry matter loss and real-time corn grain quality in transport and storage.

Taking into account that the transport of grains can be carried out over long distances and that the mass of grains during transport often has high moisture content, there may be risks of heat and moisture transfer and heating of the grains mass, proving quanti-qualitative losses. Thus, this study aimed to validate a method with probe system for real-time monitoring of temperature, relative humidity and carbon dioxide in the grain mass of corn during transport and storage to detect early dry matter losses and predict possible changes on the grain physical quality. The equipment consisted of a microcontroller, system's hardware, digital sensors to detect air temperature and relative humidity, a non-destructive infrared sensor to detect CO2 concentration. Real-time monitoring system determined early and satisfactorily in an indirect way the changes in the physical quality of the grains confirming by the physical analyses of electrical conductivity and germination. The equipment in real-time monitoring and the application of Machine Learning was effective to predict dry matter loss, due to the high equilibrium moisture content and respiration of the grain mass on the 2-h period. All machine learning models, except support vector machine, obtained satisfactory results, equaling the multiple linear regression analysis.

Predicting the quality of soybean seeds stored in different environments and packaging using machine learning.

The monitoring and evaluating the physical and physiological quality of seeds throughout storage requires technical and financial resources and is subject to sampling and laboratory errors. Therefore, machine learning (ML) techniques could help optimize the processes and obtain accurate results for decision-making in the seed storage process. This study aimed to analyze the performance of ML algorithms from variables monitored during seed conditioning (temperature and packaging) and storage time to predict the physical and physiological quality of stored soybean seeds. Data analysis was performed using the Artificial Neural Networks, decision tree algorithms REPTree and M5P, Random Forest, and Linear Regression. In predicting seed quality, the combination of the input variables temperature and storage time for REPTree and Random Forest algorithms outperformed the linear regression, providing higher accuracy indices. Among the most important results, it was observed for apparent specific mass that T + P + ST, T + ST, P + ST, and ST had the highest r means and the lowest MAE means, however, Person's r coefficient for these inputs was 0.63 and the MAE between 9.59 to 10.47. The germination results for inputs T + P + ST and T + ST had the best results (r = 0.65 and r = 0.67, respectively) in the ANN, REPTree, M5P and RF models. Using computational intelligence algorithms is an excellent alternative to predict the quality of soybean seeds from the information of easy-to-measure variables.

Towards a software architecture to manage occupational safety at grain handling and storage facilities.

The study had as objective to evaluate occupational hazards on grain storage unit to define a conceptual model, implemented in an algorithm to manage the grains storage facilities safety standards compliance. Sampling points location were defined for static quantification of noise, dust and heat stress hazards in grains pre-processing operations to indicate the effectiveness of the control measures implemented. Safety standards applied to grain handling and storage facilities were identified and selected. Chart flows were elaborated to the algorithm logics and conceptual modeling. The highest level of noise was present in the grain cleaning operation (99.1 dB), while the expedition operation has the highest level of dust (20.27%). The heat stress was present in the grain drying operation (43.64 WBGT). Noise analysis did not show a difference between grains, only between operations. The flow of corn grain mass caused higher dust concentrations in the expedition operation. The method applied to characterize and quantify the hazards in grain storage units was satisfactory, and it is recommended as standard, for use in corn and soybean grains handling and storage units. The algorithm to manage occupational safety at storage facilities collaborates to monitor the safety compliance on postharvest operations.

Systematic review of occupational hazards at postharvest grain operations.

INTRODUCTION: Agriculture stands out in relation to the high number of occupational incidents and diseases. In this sense, grains postharvest operations, such as receiving, precleaning, drying, storage and shipping the grains, are highlighted in the number of injuries and fatalities. AIM: To identify and extract qualitative and quantitative data related to the main occupational hazards present in grains postharvest operations at preprocessing and storage facilities. METHODS: A systematic review was carried out in the databases of Science Direct, Scopus and Web of Science for papers published between 1980 and 2019. The abstract should have described a study related to any occupational hazard (physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic and mechanical) and at least one of the occupational hazards should be related to any postharvest operations. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS: In total, 42% of 38 analysed papers were published between 2015 and 2019. Three journals were responsible for 45% of publications related to occupational hazards present in grains postharvest operations. The most part of analysed publications related to confined spaces, grain entrapment, machine entanglement and falls hazards are related to Purdue University's Agricultural Safety and Health Program which applied research in occupational safety at grains postharvest. CONCLUSIONS: The creation of standardised internationals can collaborate to reduce occupational risks in grain storage units. It is suggested the development of monitoring technologies to obtain real-time information on noise, dust, gases and heat in postharvest operations and equipment. The use of intelligent algorithms can create prevention mechanisms for possible occupational risks and avoid injuries to employees.

Mathematical modeling and multivariate analysis applied earliest soybean harvest associated drying and storage conditions and influences on physicochemical grain quality.

Anticipating the harvest period of soybean crops can impact on the post-harvest processes. This study aimed to evaluate early soybean harvest associated drying and storage conditions on the physicochemical soybean quality using of mathematical modeling and multivariate analysis. The soybeans were harvested with a moisture content of 18 and 23% (d.b.) and subjected to drying in a continuous dryer at 80, 100, and 120 °C. The drying kinetics and volumetric shrinkage modeling were evaluated. Posteriorly, the soybean was stored at different packages and temperatures for 8 months to evaluate the physicochemical properties. After standardizing the variables, the data were submitted to cluster analysis. For this, we use Euclidean distance and Ward's hierarchical method. Then defining the groups, we constructed a graph containing the dispersion of the values of the variables and their respective Pearson correlations for each group. The mathematical models proved suitable to describe the drying kinetics. Besides, the effective diffusivity obtained was 4.9 × 10-10 m2 s-1 promoting a volumetric shrinkage of the grains and influencing the reduction of physicochemical quality. It was observed that soybean harvested at 23% moisture, dried at 80 °C, and stored at a temperature below 23 °C maintained its oil content (25.89%), crude protein (35.69%), and lipid acidity (5.54 mL). In addition, it is to note that these correlations' magnitude was substantially more remarkable for the treatments allocated to the G2 group. Furthermore, the electrical conductivity was negatively correlated with all the physicochemical variables evaluated. Besides this, the correlation between crude protein and oil yield was positive and of high magnitude, regardless of the group formed. In conclusion, the early harvest of soybeans reduced losses in the field and increased the grain flow on the storage units. The low-temperature drying and the use of packaging technology close to environmental temperatures conserved the grain quality.

Effects of cultivars and fertilization levels on the quality of rice milling: A diagnosis using near-infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy.

Cultivars and fertilization levels influence rice productivity and can be associated with grain quality. Thus, it is possible to make decisions regarding the choice of cultivars and application of fertilizer levels based on the type of milling, a necessary post-harvest process that may minimize the nutrient load in the grains and result in loss in quality. This study relates the physicochemical composition and morphological quality of brown and polished milled rice grains, cultivar types, and different levels of soil fertilization using near-infrared spectroscopy analysis, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Statistical tools were used to test the various treatments and identify the relationship between factors and variables. A high fertilization level is related to increasing crude protein composition and starch for cultivar IRGA 431 CL associated with polished rice. However, the combination of cultivar IRGA 424 RI and brown rice demonstrated a higher grain resistance, and different percentages of whole, chalky, and damaged rice. The correlation between ash × crude protein and starch × crude fiber was found to be positive for brown rice and negative for the polished rice. Further, an increase in starch content was inversely proportional to the ash content, whereas an increase in crude protein was inversely proportional to the low-fat content in milled rice. The crystalline characteristics of rice starch were preserved at high fertilization levels associated with polished grains that demonstrated high starch content. Polished grains, however, showed more pores and cavities, and consequently greater permeabilities in the surface. It is recommended that batches of grains produced from cultivar IRGA 431 CL with high levels of fertilization be subjected to polished rice milling to achieve high protein and starch quality. However, grains from cultivar IRGA 424 RI with high levels of fertilization are recommended for brown rice milling owing to the high percentage of physical defects observed.

Development and validation of a heated drying air diffusion system to optimize rotary dryers and final coffee quality.

The final quality of pre-processed coffees is influenced by the applied drying technology. Thus, the aim of the study was to develop and validate a heated air flow diffusion system to optimize and reduce the drying time of rotary dryers and improve the final quality of coffee. Computational fluid dynamics was used for the simulation of the air fluid dynamics in the combustion chamber of the heat generator. It was observed that the energy losses in the upper and lower walls of the heat generator chamber were higher with an increase in the convective heat transfer coefficient. It was found that the rate of fluid flow presented a fully developed profile, in which the higher speed value was found in the central region of the outlet. The reduction in moisture content during coffee drying was directly proportional to the increase in temperature. The Midilli model shows the best fit to describe the drying curves of the coffee. The effective diffusion coefficient increases with increasing temperature of the drying air. It was observed that the adjustments of the fluid dynamics in the burning of gas and the adaptation of the diffuser system significantly influenced the drying time and final quality of naturally processed and pulped coffees. In conclusion, the adapted technological set, a rotary dryer with gas heating and diffusion of heated air, had a high performance in the final quality of the coffee, and for this reason it is recommended to producers and the industry.

Influences of drying temperature and storage conditions for preserving the quality of maize postharvest on laboratory and field scales.

Drying and storage methods are fundamental for maintaining the grain quality until processing. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the associations of the drying temperature with storage systems and conditions as a strategy for preserving the quality of maize grain postharvest on laboratory and field scales. An increase in temperature accelerated the reduction in grain moisture, but increased the deterioration. The wetting during the storage period reduced the grain quality. Hermetic and aerated storage systems maintained the chemical quality of the grains. The control with healthy and whole corn dried at 80 °C and stored in silos with natural aeration provided a satisfactory quality, equivalent to those of controlled drying and storage under airtight conditions and at low temperatures. Different conditions of drying and storage of corn on the laboratory and field scales were evaluated, which provides an appropriate management of these operations to maintain the grain quality.

Adaptation of technological packaging for conservation of soybean seeds in storage units as an alternative to modified atmospheres.

This study aimed to evaluate the quality of seeds of RR and RR2 PRO soybean cultivars stored in ambient air with raffia packaging (ANER), ambient air with laminated packaging (ANEL), modified atmosphere with polyethylene packaging (AMEP), refrigerated atmosphere (1 to 3°C) with raffia packaging (ARER), refrigerated atmosphere (1 to 3°C) with laminated packaging (AREL), and modified (-14 PSI) and refrigerated (1 to 3°C) atmosphere with polyethylene packaging (AMREP), over 6 months of storage. Results showed that the seeds of cultivar RR2 were preserved with better physiological quality. Raffia and polyethylene packaging under natural storage conditions, in a refrigerated and modified atmosphere, did not preserve the seed quality over the storage period. The conditions of storage in ambient air with laminated packaging (ANEL) and in a refrigerated atmosphere with laminated packaging (AREL) reduced the environmental effects of temperature and relative humidity, leading to better results of physiological quality of the seeds. Storage time negatively influenced the physiological quality of seeds, except for AREL and ANEL, which maintained the quality close to that of the initial conditions, over the 6 months of storage. The best alternatives for soybean seeds storage over 6 months are the laminated packaging in a natural environment, matching the refrigerated conditions. The technological laminated packaging can be used as a new alternative for conserving soybean seeds in processing and storage units.

Evaluation of coatings for application in raffia big bags in conditioned storage of soybean cultivars in seed processing units.

Different regions have different environmental conditions, which may be unfavorable for the preservation of the quality of stored soybean seeds over time. Thus, it is necessary to adopt specific technologies to control the storage environment conditions. Big raffia bags are widely used for the storage of soybean seeds, however these consist of a porous, permeable material that allows the exchange of gases between the packaging and the storage environment. In an effort to find a solution to this problem, in this study we evaluated low cost big bag coating alternatives, in order to minimize the effects of temperature and intergranular humidity on stored seeds. Thus, the aim of this work was to evaluate the quality of soybean cultivars subjected to different temperature and storage duration conditions and stored in raffia bags with or without internal coating. We used a completely randomized, three-factor (10 × 6 × 5) experimental design. We assessed 10 soybean cultivars, six storage environments, and five evaluation periods. Our results showed that seeds of the M-SOY 8866, M7110 IPRO, CD 2737 RR, and BMX DESAFIO 8473 RSF soybean cultivars preserved their physiological quality better in different storage environments. The storage duration had a cumulative effect on the negative factors that favor the deterioration of the quality of the stored seeds. The storage temperature was the main factor that affected the physiological quality of the stored seeds. The use of coated packaging was beneficial in preserving the physiological quality of stored soybean seeds; however, its effect was greater at ambient temperature than in a cold environment. The best storage environment for the preservation of the quality of the seeds was characterized by 10°C temperature conditions and the use of coated packaging, while the worst storage environment was characterized by ambient temperature conditions without the use of coated packaging. Thus, it was concluded that the use of coatings in raffia big bags can be an alternative for maintaining the quality of seeds of different soybean cultivars during storage in seed processing units.

Management of nitrogen fertilization on agronomic and nutritional characteristics in second crop corn / Manejo da fertilização nitrogenada nas características agronômicas e nutricionais do milho safrinha

Fertilization management, mainly nitrogen, is one of the factors that most directly affect corn grain yield. Nitrogen dynamics in the soil is quite complex and its main source currently used in corn production, the urea, undergo intense losses in its conventional form, mainly by volatilization and leaching. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the effect of forms, sources, and times of nitrogen application on the second crop corn. The experiment was conducted in 2016 in the Fundação Chapadão, Chapadão do Sul, MS, Brazil. The sources conventional urea, polymer-coated urea, and foliar N (8 treatments) were used as follows: control (without N addition), conventional urea (single in V3 and split in V3 and V6), polymer-coated urea (single in V3 and split in V3 and V6), conventional urea + foliar N (conventional urea in V6 and foliar in pre-flowering), polymer-coated urea + foliar N (polymer-coated urea in V6 and foliar in pre-flowering), and foliar N (split in V6 and pre-flowering). The variables stem diameter, ear index, ear length, number of grains per row, number of rows per ear, plant height, first ear height, leaf chlorophyll index, leaf N index, leaf values of Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Mn, and Cu, 100-grain weight, and grain yield were assessed. Nitrogen application in the form of conventional urea, polymer-coated urea, and foliar N (single or split) for second crop corn does not result in distinct benefits for the crop. Thus, attention should be paid to the commercialization of the product, which has prices established according to nitrogen forms, but without result, for example, in grain yield, which in fact will compose the producer income. The applied nitrogen form and mode of application were positive only to increase the contents of Ca, Mg, Zn, and Mn in the leaves of second crop corn. Ca was favored by the use of conventional urea and split conventional urea, Mg and Mn were only benefited by foliar N application, and Zn was benefited by the use of conventional urea, split conventional urea, conventional urea + foliar N, and polymer-coated urea+foliar N.

O manejo da adubação, principalmente a nitrogenada, é um dos fatores que afetam mais diretamente a produtividade de grãos de milho. A dinâmica do nitrogênio no solo é bastante complexa e a principal fonte atualmente utilizada na produção do milho, a ureia, em sua forma convencional, sofre perdas intensas, principalmente por volatilização e lixiviação. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito de formas, fontes e épocas de aplicação de nitrogênio na cultura do milho segunda safra. O experimento foi conduzido no ano de 2016 na Fundação Chapadão, no município de Chapadão do Sul, MS, Brasil. Foram utilizadas as fontes ureia convencional, ureia revestida com polímero e N foliar (8 tratamentos), sendo eles: testemunha (sem adição de N); ureia convencional (todo aplicado no estádio V3) e (parcelada em V3 e V6); ureia com polímero (todo em V3) e (parcelada em V3 e V6); Ureia convencional + N foliar (ureia convencional em V6 e foliar em pré-florada); Ureia com polímero + N foliar (ureia com polímero em V6 e foliar em pré-florada) e N foliar (parcelado em V6 e pré-florada). Foram avaliados o diâmetro de colmo, índice de espiga, comprimento de espiga, número de grãos por fileira, número de fileiras por espiga, altura de plantas, altura de inserção da primeira espiga, índice de clorofila foliar, índice de N foliar, valores foliares de Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Mn e Cu, massa de 100 grãos e produtividade de grãos. A aplicação do nitrogênio na forma de ureia convencional, ureia com polímeros e foliar, de forma única ou parcelada, para o milho segunda safra, não resulta em benefícios distintos para a cultura. Assim, deve-se ficar atento a comercialização do produto, que tem preços estabelecidos de acordo com as formas do nitrogênio, mas sem resultado, por exemplo, na produtividade de grãos, que irá de fato compor a renda do produtor. A forma do nitrogênio aplicado e o modo de aplicação foram positivos apenas para aumentar os teores de Ca, Mg, Zn e Mn nas folhas do milho segunda safra. O Ca foi favorecido pelo uso da ureia convencional e convencional parcelada, o Mg e o Mn foram beneficiados apenas pela aplicação de N foliar, enquanto o Zn foi beneficiado pelo uso da ureia convencional, convencionalparcelada, convencional + N foliar e ureia com polímero + N foliar.

Drying and storage of corn grains for ethanol production in Brazil / Secagem e armazenamento de grãos de milho para produção de etanol no Brasil

The aim of the present research was to evaluate the effects of drying air temperature and storage conditions used in Brazil on the quality of corn grains (Zea mays L.) for ethanol production. The experiment was set up in a completely randomized design in a (3x2x2) factorial arrangement (drying air temperatures of 80, 100 and 120 ºC vs. ambient storage conditions of 23 ºC / 60% RH and cooled to 10 ºC / 40% RH vs. storage time of zero and six months). The corn grains were harvested with a water content of 18.0% (w.b.). Then, they were dried in a convection/forced-air oven at different temperatures, until water content reached 12% (w.b.). After that, the grains were stored. It was concluded that the increase in drying air temperature reduced lipid content and starch percentage, decreasing ethanol yield to 38.74 L ton-1 of grains. Storage under refrigeration at 10 °C was favorable for the maintenance of lipid levels (+2%), starch percentage (6%) and ethanol yield (33 L ton-1 of grains). Thus, considering production conditions and weather in Brazil, grains should be dried at air temperatures up to 80 °C, and storage must be performed under refrigerated air up to 10 °C for quality assurance of maize grains in the dry season and, therefore, increased ethanol production in the industry.

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar os efeitos da secagem e as condições de temperatura do ar e armazenamento utilizadas no Brasil na qualidade de grãos de milho (Zea mays L.) para a produção de etanol. O experimento foi instalado em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em arranjo fatorial (3x2x2) (secagem a temperatura do ar de 80, 100 e 120 ºC vs. condições de ambiente de armazenamento de 23 ºC / 60% RH e resfriamento de 10 ºC / 40% RH vs. tempo de armazenamento de zero e seis meses). Os grãos de milho foram colhidos com um teor de água de 18,0% (w.b.). Em seguida, os grãos foram secos em estufa de convecção / forçada de ar a diferentes temperaturas, até que o teor de água atingiu 12% (w.b.). Em seguida, os grãos foram armazenados. Concluiu-se que o aumento da temperatura do ar de secagem reduziu os teores de lípidos e a percentagem de amido, diminuindo o rendimento de etanol a 38,74 L ton-1 de grãos. O armazenamento sob refrigeração, a 10 °C foi favorável para a manutenção dos níveis de lípidos (+2%), percentagem de amido (6%) e rendimento de etanol (33 L ton-1 de grãos). Assim, considerando as condições de produção e clima no Brasil, os grãos devem ser secos nas temperaturas do ar de até 80 °C e o armazenamento deve ser realizado sob refrigeração do ar até 10 °C para garantir a qualidade dos grãos de milho na estação seca e, portanto, um aumento da produção de etanol na indústria.

Alternatives of storage of corn grains for the conditions of the brazilian cerrado / Alternativas de armazenagem de grãos de milho para as condições do cerrado brasileiro

The storage of grains under technical conditions in favorable environment ensures grain quality and regulates the supply of raw material for food production. For this reason, the objective of this study was to evaluate the different forms of storage (aerated silo, non-aerated silo, silo bags and airtight) of grains produced in the Brazilian cerrado, over time (zero, three and six months), for different physical qualities of maize (normal grains, whole grains and broken grains). The research was conducted at the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Chapadão do Sul Campus (CPCS), Grain Postharvest Laboratory. To determine the physical-chemical quality and the physical properties of grains over six months, samples were taken from the stored lots. Analysis of variance and comparison of means by Tukey's test were conducted at 5% probability. The six-month storage time was the main factor contributing to the reduction of the quality of maize grains. Storage alternatives with aeration, non-aeration, bags and airtight environment did not influence the physical properties of maize grains. The broken maize grains showed the worst physical and chemical quality during storage time, while the batch of whole corn grains differ in quality during storage. It was concluded that airtight storage and storage in aerated silos were the conditions that best preserved the physical and chemical quality of maize grains over time.

O armazenamento de grãos em condições técnicas em ambientais favoráveis garante a sua qualidade dos grãos e regula o fornecimento de matéria-prima para a produção de alimentos. Assim, objetivou-se com este estudo, avaliar as diferentes formas de armazenamento (em silo aerado, em silo sem aeração, em sacaria e hermético) de grãos produzidos no cerrado brasileiro, ao longo do tempo (zero, três e seis meses), para diferentes qualidades físicas de milho (grãos normais, grãos inteiros e grãos quebrados). A pesquisa foi realizada na Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Campus de Chapadão do Sul (CPCS), no Laboratório de Pós-Colheita de Grãos. Para determinar a qualidade físico-química e as propriedades físicas dos grãos, ao longo de seis meses, amostras foram coletadas dos lotes de produtos armazenados. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado (4x3), quatro formas de armazenamento (hermética, sacaria, sem aeração e com aeração), três tipos de massa de milho (milho normal, milho inteiro, milho quebrado). A análise de variância e as médias pelo teste de Tukey foram comparados a 5% de probabilidade. O tempo de armazenamento de seis meses foi o principal fator que contribuiu para a redução da qualidade de grãos de milho. Alternativas de armazenamento com aeração, sem aeração, em sacaria e hermético não influenciou nas propriedades físicas dos grãos de milho. Os grãos de milho quebrados apresentaram a pior qualidade física e química durante o tempo de armazenamento. Enquanto que, os lotes de grãos de milho inteiros diferiram na qualidade durante o armazenamento. Concluiu-se que, o armazenamento hermético e o armazenamento em silos com aeração foi o que melhor preservou a qualidade física e química dos grãos de milho ao longo do tempo.