Effectiveness Of Triple-Layer Hermetic Bags Against Aflatoxins In Stored Maize

ABSTRACT

Aflatoxin contamination of agricultural commodities is gaining public prominence in Africa where it is pervasive due to favourable environmental conditions and high consumption of maize. Aflatoxins are toxic secondary fungal metabolites that contaminate dietary staples such as maize and groundnut resulting in adverse effect on food security, health and trade. This study evaluated the effectiveness of triple-layer hermetic bag to control aflatoxin in stored maize. A factorial experiment was conducted involving 2.5 kg of Obatanpa maize variety at moisture content between 12%-13%. Two storage bags (triple-layer hermetic bag and polypropylene interwoven bag) and two insect pests (Sitophillus zeamais and Prostephanus truncatus) were used in the study. Oxygen depletion and carbon dioxide elevation, temperature, relative humidity and dew point in the different storage bags and the storage environment were measured during the six months storage period. Different levels of temperature (16 oC, 30 oC and 38 oC) were also monitored to ascertain their effect on the performance of the triple-layer bag against aflatoxins in stored maize. The study showed that most farmers introduced to the hermetic technology by NGOs adopted and used it to preserve various agricultural commodities from insect pests. The vulnerability of the high-density polyethylene (HDP) bags to leakages and tearing and the cost of replacing a torn HDP bag were predominant concerns expressed by farmers during the survey in the Techiman Municipality. Field studies revealed that extreme fluctuation in temperature in the field negated the effectiveness of the air-tight condition created in the triple-layer hermetic bag to control aflatoxigenic fungi. There was significant difference (p