Assessment of levels of temperature conditions on the effectiveness of multiple-layer hermetic bag for bio-rational management of aflatoxin in stored maize

Aflatoxin is a potent mycotoxin that impairs child development, suppress immune system, cause cancer and death in severe cases and rejection of commodities in high-valued domestic and international markets. An evaluation of different levels of temperature on the aflatoxin contents of maize stored in the highly promoted triple-layer hermetic storage bag was studied over three months period. There were significant differences (p < 0.05) in the accumulation of aflatoxin in maize stored in different storage bags at different levels of temperature. Maize stored in polypropylene bag had aflatoxin level of 38.8 mu g kg(-1) closer to the initial aflatoxin concentration of 38.2 mu g kg(-1) at 38 degrees C while hermetically stored maize at room temperature (30 degrees C) recorded a total aflatoxin of 50.1 mu g kg(-1) after three months of storage. The study showed that triple-layer hermetic bag is less effective in reducing further accumulation of aflatoxin at low temperature (16 degrees C) but, is effective in limiting aflatoxin at room temperature (30 degrees C) and constant high temperature (38 degrees C) in previously contaminated maize. Regardless of the storage bag technology, maize stored at safe moisture content (<= 12%) provided better protection from accumulation of aflatoxin.