Physical and technological evaluations of corn subjected to intermittent drying at three temperatures of the drying air and then stored for nine months

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the physical quality and technology of corn subjected to inter- mittent drying at different air temperatures and stored for nine months, aiming to reduce qualitative and quantitative losses of grain during the period. The grains were derived from experimental farm of the Experimental Station of Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, and dried to moisture content of approximately 13 % using intermittent drying with the use of LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) in temperatures of 60, 70 and 80 °C. Were analyzed to moisture, volumetric weight, thousand kernel weight and grain flawless, from sampling carried out after drying, and thereafter every three months in storage, up to nine months of storage. The major physical and technological losses occurred after six mon- ths of storage for all treatments. The intermittent drying of corn grains in air temperatures of 60, 70 and 80 °C did not cause mechanical damage to the immediate and qualitative visible grains of corn. The major physical losses during the nine months of storage occurred in grains subjected to intermittent drying at a temperature of 60 °C, while the smallest losses occurred in the technological temperature of 70 °C.