Preservation of High-Moisture Corn: A Microbiological Evaluation

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Abstract
Ammonia, ammonium isobutyrate, iso- butyric acid, and propionic-aeetic acid at concentrations of .5%, 1.75%, 1.5%, and 1.2%, respectively, were applied to comparable 52.8 m 3 lots of freshly har- vested yellow dent corn having a mois- ture content of 27%. Treated corn was stored in partially open wooden bins. Harvestore~ and barrell storage of un- treated corn were included as controls. Temperature and microbiological changes were evaluated tba'oughout 6 mo of stor- age. As the corn came from the field, log counts of 6.3, 5.8, 5.3, and 3.0 per g were determined for bacteria, molds, yeasts, and actinomycetes, respectively. All chemicals immediately reduced bac- terial and actinomycete counts and elimi- nated molds and yeasts. All treatments after approximately 30 days" storage had secondary fungal growth. Seopulariopsis brevicaulis predominated on ammonia- treated corn; Mueorales, and species of Monascus, Penicillium, Fusarium, and Aspergillus flares, as well as A. fumiga- tus, were in ammonium isobutyrate- treated corn. A. flavus was the predomi- nant mold infecting isobutyrie acid and propionic-acetic acid treated corn late in storage.

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