PROPIONIC-ACID AS A PRESERVATIVE OF MAIZE GRAINS IN TRADITIONAL STORAGE IN INDIA

Maize cultivar ''Diara composite'' was treated with graded concentrations of propionic acid to evaluate its effectiveness as a grain preservative in traditional storages viz. kothi, bukhari and gunnybags. A concentration of 2 ml/kg was found to be effective in inhibiting the growth of fungi for 12 months in grains stored under gunnybags. For kothi and bukhari the effective concentration was 3 ml/kg. Germinability and the nutritional components of the grains were maintained at these concentrations. After 12 months of storage, the germination was 77, 75 and 74% from gunnybags, bukhari and kothi, respectively. Protein, sugar, reducing sugars and starch contents of the grains were preserved in gunnybags for 12 months of storage and in kothi and bukhari the losses were also negligible.