Safe storage guidelines for rye.

Safe storage guidelines for grains at different moisture contents and storage temperatures are essential to know how long seed can be held without deterioration. Rye samples with 10.0, 12.5, 15.0, and 17.5% moisture content (wet basis) were stored at 10, 20, 30, and 40°C for 16 weeks. Germination, moisture content, visible and invisible microflora, and free fatty acid (FFA) values were monitored periodically. Germination rate decreased significantly with increase in moisture content, temperature, and storage period (α=0.05). Moisture content of the samples stored at 10°C increased with time, whereas that of samples stored at 30 and 40°C decreased. Visible mold appeared in all the 17.5% moisture samples and in all the samples stored at 40°C. Penicillium spp. and Aspergillus glaucus group were the predominant fungi in almost all samples throughout the study. Fat Acidity Value (FAV) increased with increasing moisture content, temperature, and storage time (α =0.05). Safe storage guidelines with respect to initial moisture content and temperature were developed based on the drop in germination and appearance of visible mold. Rye with 12.5% moisture content stored at ≤ 20°C would be safe for at least 15 weeks, whereas rye with ≥ 15% moisture content stored at 40°C would have less than a week to complete drying and cooling.