Effects of drying temperatures and storage conditions on the levels of lipids and starches in corn grains for yield ethanol industry

Post-harvest operations can reduce changes in the physical-chemical quality of processed grains. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of drying and storage conditions on the lipids and starches content in corn grains correlating ethanol production. In the results obtained, the adjustment of the drying curves associated with physical analyses made it possible to verify that the increase in temperature affected the grains' cell tissues and reduced lipids, starches, and the industrial yield of ethanol for 0.032 L kg(-1) of grains. Besides, the corn storage under refrigeration was favorable to maintaining the levels of lipids (+1.42%), starch (+1.33%), and ethanol yield (+0.017 L kg(-1) of grains). In conclusion, the drying temperature at 40 degrees C and the controlled storage at 15 degrees C preserved the corn grain quality over the six months and positively influenced the grain processing quality. The adverse environmental conditions associated with the post-harvest technologies do not guarantee the quality of the corn grains used for the processing industry. In the current Brazilian situation, the corn ethanol industry improvement involves the application of low temperature in drying systems and the storage of corn in controlled environments.

Automated summary

The study revealed that drying corn grains at 40 degrees Celsius and storing them at 15 degrees Celsius can help maintain quality and positively influence ethanol production. Adverse environmental conditions may impact cell tissues in grains, reducing lipid and starch content, as well as ethanol yield.