CASTOR BEANS QUALITY SUBJECTED TO DIFFERENT STORAGE TEMPERATURES AND PERIODS

The control of the temperature of the storage air have the ability to improve a better preservation of some types of agricultural products. However, the most effective temperature for storage as well as the duration of storage varies between products. Therefore, special attention should be concentrated on the storage temperature and its effects on the integrity and longevity of the produce. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of storage temperature and storage period on the quality of castor beans. Castor seeds with a water content of approximately 6.1% (w.b.) were stored for 180 days at temperatures of 15, 25 and 35 degrees C. The quality of the seeds was evaluated every 45 days throughout the study period by measuring dry matter loss, electrical conductivity, color, and the free fatty acid and peroxide content of the crude oil extracted. Our results indicated that: a) higher storage temperature negatively affect the quality of the seeds and the extracted oil; b) the negative effect of temperature increase with longer storage period; c) the storage temperature of 15 degrees C least affect the quality of castor bean and the extracted oil.