Hermetic storage of pearl millet, Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke; laboratory studies

The effect of airtight storage of pearl millet, Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke, on intergranular atmosphere, insects, mold infection, grain viability and moisture content (m.c.) was investigated in the laboratory. Six hermetically sealed 19-1 cans were used to store millet of three moisture contents (9.9, 12.8 and 15.6%) for 76 days at 27 ± 1°C. One can of grain of each m.c. was infested with 150 adult Sitophilus oryzae L./kg; the others remained uninfested. Carbon dioxide concentrations increased and oxygen concentrations decreased in all cans infested with insects, and in uninfested grain of 15.6% m.c. The changes in atmospheric concentrations were slower in the uninfested grain than in the infested 15.6% m.c. grain. No live insects were found in any treatment, percentages of mold-infested kernels were not significantly different among treatments, and m.c. did not change due to treatment or time. Kernel viability decreased significantly only in the 15.6% m.c. gram. All grain appeared normal; but the 15.6% m.c. grain had a slightly sour odor.