Journal of Stored Products Research最新文献

{"title":"Impact of soy protein isolate on the aging and quality of rice cakes during storage","authors":"Qiao-yan Wu ,&nbsp;Yang Yang ,&nbsp;Chun-min Ma,&nbsp;Bing Wang,&nbsp;Xin Bian,&nbsp;Guang Zhang,&nbsp;Xiao-fei Liu,&nbsp;Yan Wang,&nbsp;Na Wu,&nbsp;Zhong Xu,&nbsp;Na Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.jspr.2025.102581","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jspr.2025.102581","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Rice cakes are popular among consumers for their unique taste and flavor. However, rice cakes aged seriously during storage, which restricted the development of their industry. This study used the gelatinization and thermomechanical properties of rice flour (RF), and the water distribution and texture properties of rice dough as indicators to investigate the effects of different addition amounts (0–10%) of soy protein isolate (SPI) on the quality of rice flour/dough. Also, changes in moisture content, hardness, soluble starch content, thermodynamic properties, and crystal structure of rice cakes during the storage period were used as indicators to investigate their effects on the aging characteristics. The results showed that the addition of SPI increased the water absorption, decreased the paste viscosity of the dough. After 21 days of storage of rice cakes, the addition of 10% SPI increased the water content (20.25%) and soluble starch content (23.28%) of the rice cakes but decreased their hardness, relative crystallinity, and enthalpy of regrowth (ΔH), among them, the ΔH was reduced by 27.81%. This suggested that the addition of SPI inhibited the aging phenomenon of rice cakes during storage. Therefore, this study offered a valuable reference for the anti-aging properties of rice products and their potential applications within the rice food industry, thereby possessing notable practical significance.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17019,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Stored Products Research","volume":"111 ","pages":"Article 102581"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143350848","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Determination of relative composition of samples collected with open head spiral grain sampling probe","authors":"Jaden Tatum,&nbsp;Ajay Shah","doi":"10.1016/j.jspr.2025.102569","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jspr.2025.102569","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Grain sampling probes, also called spears and triers, are used to collect samples from bulk grain at rest and are known to draw a higher proportion from the uppermost levels. Probes are used to collect samples that will be aggregated for representative sampling but are also useful tools in grain drying research and in monitoring quality and pest presence during storage, where it is important to know how fully the sample represents the corresponding grain bed. In this study, a method was proposed to prepare color-differentiated 15.2 cm layers of corn to make a column of known proportions. A spiral open headed grain sample spear, which fills from the bottom to the top, was used to sample a column of 19.8% moisture dry basis dent corn, and the count and proportional mass of samples drawn with the spear were determined and correlated to the sample volume of a common handheld moisture meter tester (Agratronix MT-16 Grain Moisture Tester). Sampling methods of vertical grain spear insertion and USDA-recommended 10° from vertical were compared, and the impact of sampling higher-moisture corn kernels (24.8% dry basis) and a shorter 76 cm column was also determined. It was found that vertical sampling with the spiral spear had higher uniformity between samples, less top layer skew, and included more grain from the bottom layer compared to the 10° from vertical sampling angle. It was also found that the top skew was much higher with the shorter 76 cm column compared to the 91 cm column, and sampling of 24.8% grain did not have any statistically significant differences to samples collected of 19.8% grain. Finally, an adjustment factor is presented to find the weighted proportion of sampled grains reflective of 15.2 cm thin layers in a 91 cm column for 19.8% and 24.8% MC dent corn.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17019,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Stored Products Research","volume":"111 ","pages":"Article 102569"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143372670","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Optimizing fermentation condition and shelf life study of black wheat rawa idli using artificial neural network-enhanced response surface methodology","authors":"Ankur Aggarwal,&nbsp;Tarun Verma","doi":"10.1016/j.jspr.2025.102574","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jspr.2025.102574","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Black wheat, a nutrient-rich and underutilized pigmented wheat variety, offers significant health benefits when incorporated into plant-based foods. This study aimed to optimize the fermentation parameters for black wheat rawa <em>idli</em> (BWI) over a period of 2–6 h temperatures ranging from 20 to 45 °C. Key parameters, including batter volume, pH, titratable acidity, and density, were evaluated. Multi-objective optimization was performed using response surface methodology (RSM) and an artificial neural network coupled (ANN). The ANN demonstrated superior prediction accuracy (R² = 0.98, MSE = 0.11) compared to RSM (R² = 0.93, MSE = 0.31). Optimal fermentation conditions were identified as 32.5 °C for 4 h with 1.37 % inoculation. Scanning electron microscopy revealed a loss of structural integrity in starch granules, improved texture and enhanced antioxidant potential. The shelf life of the BWI mix stored at 25 °C in low-density polyethylene packaging was 75 days without nitrogen flushing and extended to 120 days with nitrogen flushing. These findings indicate that BWI possesses enhanced functional qualities, making it a promising and healthier dietary option. The optimization of fermentation parameters and shelf-life assessment provides valuable insights for the development of the healthier alternative to traditional rawa <em>idli</em>.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17019,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Stored Products Research","volume":"111 ","pages":"Article 102574"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143372578","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dry acclimation elevates tolerance to multiple stresses including low/high temperatures and insecticides in Liposcelis bostrychophila","authors":"Kohjiro Tanaka ,&nbsp;Masanori Ochiai ,&nbsp;Yoichi Hayakawa","doi":"10.1016/j.jspr.2025.102575","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jspr.2025.102575","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The economic impact of the serious pest <em>Liposcelis bostrychophila</em> has recently increased due to its high fecundity, rapid population growth rates, and extended adult lifespan. Furthermore, this species has developed significant resistance to various insecticides commonly used in global grain storage systems. To devise more effective integrated pest management (IPM) strategies against <em>L. bostrychophila</em>, a thorough understanding of the physiological mechanisms underlying its resistance is essential. In this study, we investigated the species’ tolerance to desiccation, as <em>Liposcelis</em> species are known to be sensitive to dry conditions. We observed that the desiccation tolerance of <em>L. bostrychophila</em> adults varied depending on their prior exposure to dry environments. Adults subjected to initial dry conditions exhibited enhanced tolerance to subsequent desiccation stress, which is designated as dry acclimation. Moreover, adults with increased desiccation tolerance due to prior exposure demonstrated heightened resistance not only to desiccation but also to other stressors, including toxic chemicals (ethanol, β-cyfluthrin, and chlorfenapyr) and extreme temperatures, both low and high. These findings strongly suggest that tolerance to various stressors is not an inherent or fixed trait of the species but rather a dynamic characteristic influenced by prior environmental exposure. Understanding the environmental conditions in which <em>L. bostrychophila</em> develops is therefore crucial for accurately assessing its sensitivities to different stresses.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17019,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Stored Products Research","volume":"111 ","pages":"Article 102575"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143350885","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparative efficacy of Cymbopogon winterianus essential oil and nanoemulsion as a sustainable biopesticide to control Tribolium castaneum: Effect on biomolecules of insect and seed germination","authors":"Tanzeela Riaz ,&nbsp;Sana Abid ,&nbsp;Muhammad Afzal ,&nbsp;Farah Rauf Shakoori","doi":"10.1016/j.jspr.2025.102579","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jspr.2025.102579","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Tribolium castaneum</em> Herbst is responsible for huge economic losses due to infestation in stored food. Use of conventional insecticides caused resistance development, human health risks and environmental pollution. Investigation of new sustainable and ecofriendly approaches including use of essential oil and nanoemulsion are required. The study designed to compare the effectiveness of <em>Cymbopogon winterianus</em> essential oil (EO) and nanoemulsion (NE) against 4th instar larvae and adult beetles of <em>T. casteneum</em>. The LC₅₀ of NE and EO was (275.01 and 491 ppm) against 4th instar larvae and (26.01 and 68.92ppm) against beetles, respectively. The toxicity of EO was boosted twice by preparing NE. The GCMS analysis of EO revealed the presence of citronellyl butyrate, citronellal, citronellol and D-limonene. The effect of LC₅₀ of EO and NE on seed germination and LC₂₀ on biomolecules of insect were also investigated. In NE treated seed, no significant difference in germination was observed, while significant reduction in EO treated seed was observed as compared to control group. The concentration of proteins, free amino acids and glucose and activities of trehalase, amylase, catalase, glutathione-<em>S</em>-transferase, and alkaline phosphatase were increased while concentration of glycogen and trehalose and activities of invertase and acid phosphatase of beetles was decreased after NE exposure as compared to control group. <em>In-silico</em> studies showed that limonene and citronellal exhibited the strongest interactions with alkaline phosphatase with binding energy (−5.9 and −5.7kcal/mol), respectively. It is concluded that citronella essential oil is a promising alternative for traditional pesticides in managing store grain insect pests.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17019,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Stored Products Research","volume":"111 ","pages":"Article 102579"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143372671","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Influence of temperature and maize genotypes on the population dynamics of Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky 1885 (COLEOPTERA: CURCULIONIDAE) and grain quality during storage","authors":"Diaine Cortese ,&nbsp;Gisele Silva de Oliveira ,&nbsp;Marcos Gino Fernandes","doi":"10.1016/j.jspr.2025.102564","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jspr.2025.102564","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Post-harvest losses in maize caused by <em>Sitophilus zeamais</em> represent a significant challenge to global grain storage systems. This study investigated the effects of temperature and corn genotype on <em>S. zeamais</em> population dynamics during six months of storage. Eight maize genotypes (Nutricional Embrapa, Cinquentinha, Palha Roxa, Sol da Manhã, Roxo, BR 451 QPM, Catingueira, and Asteca Vermelho) were evaluated under four temperature regimes (15, 20, 25, and 30 °C). Parameters assessed included insect emergence, weight, grain weight loss, and residual weight. Chemical composition (starch, protein, and lipid content) was analyzed to explore potential resistance mechanisms. Temperature significantly influenced <em>S. zeamais</em> development. Low temperatures (15 °C) suppressed insect emergence and grain degradation across all genotypes, while higher temperatures (25–30 °C) amplified pest activity, particularly in susceptible genotypes (Cinquentinha, Palha Roxa). Resistant genotypes (Nutricional Embrapa, Asteca Vermelho) consistently demonstrated reduced insect emergence, weight, and grain losses, likely due to enhanced kernel hardness, biochemical defenses, and nutritional profiles. Lipid and protein content varied significantly among genotypes, influencing pest feeding efficiency and reproduction. Susceptible genotypes showed higher weight loss and residual grain mass, exacerbated by fungal contamination at higher temperatures. The integration of resistant genotypes and temperature management effectively mitigates <em>S. zeamais</em> infestations, preserving grain quality and reducing post-harvest losses. These findings underscore the importance of genotype selection in integrated pest management and highlight the need for further research into the genetic and biochemical traits associated with resistance. Combining resistant genotypes with sustainable storage practices offers a promising strategy for grain preservation in diverse environmental conditions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17019,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Stored Products Research","volume":"111 ","pages":"Article 102564"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143238271","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Influence of conditions and packaging materials on physiological quality parameters of wheat seeds during storage","authors":"Shereen Shafat ,&nbsp;Kuntal Bera ,&nbsp;Soham Mukherjee ,&nbsp;Bigyananda Mutum ,&nbsp;Kajal Mog Chaudhuri ,&nbsp;Puspendu Dutta","doi":"10.1016/j.jspr.2025.102566","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jspr.2025.102566","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Wheat belongs to the genus <em>Triticum</em> under the Poaceae family and plays a vital role in food and nutritional security. High-quality, vigorous seeds ensure ideal plant populations and better combat early abiotic and biotic challenges. This study evaluated the effects of storage conditions, containers, and packaging materials on the quality of wheat seeds over time. The experiment used a completely randomized design with three factors: temperature (ambient vs. controlled at 22 ± 1 °C), containers (desiccator vs. plastic container), and packaging (cloth, paper, PVC ziplock). Seed quality parameters, including germination, electrical conductivity, lipid peroxidation, and hydrogen peroxide content, were assessed. The results showed that seed quality declined gradually with storage time, but the effects of storage factors varied significantly. After six months, higher germination was observed in controlled temperature with desiccator storage, particularly in cloth (71%) and paper (71%) packaging. No germination was found in ambient conditions with plastic container storage for cloth and paper. Biochemical parameters indicated increased deterioration over time. Controlled temperature storage at 22 ± 1 °C was significantly better for maintaining high seed quality compared to ambient conditions. PCA and cluster analyses proved that desiccator storage was more effective than plastic container, and PVC ziplock packaging also outperformed cloth and paper particularly under ambient conditions. These findings highlight the importance of optimizing storage conditions to preserve wheat seed quality and viability during prolonged storage.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17019,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Stored Products Research","volume":"111 ","pages":"Article 102566"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143104950","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Uninvited guests: New stored mangrove rice insect pests in Guinea-Bissau","authors":"Sofia Conde ,&nbsp;Filipa Monteiro ,&nbsp;Sílvia Catarino ,&nbsp;Maria Rosa Ferreira ,&nbsp;Sónia Ferreira","doi":"10.1016/j.jspr.2025.102567","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jspr.2025.102567","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Mangrove swamp rice is vital for food security in Guinea-Bissau, yet insect infestations cause significant post-harvest losses worldwide. This study identified insect pests affecting stored rice seeds using both morphological identification and DNA barcoding. In 2022, 64 rice samples were collected from 13 villages across 3 coastal regions yielding 1504 insect specimens, classified into 13 morphotypes from Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, and Hemiptera orders. DNA barcoding confirmed the identity of six species, including global primary rice pests <em>Sitophilus oryzae</em> Hustache, 1930, <em>Rhyzopertha dominica</em> (Fabricius, 1792), and <em>Sitotroga cerealella</em> (Olivier, 1789), and the secondary pests <em>Tribolium castaneum</em> (Herbst, 1797) and <em>Cryptolests pusillus</em> (Schénherr, 1817). This is the first record of these taxa in mangrove swamp rice seeds in West Africa. Four species are reported for the first time to Guinea-Bissau: <em>S. oryzae</em>, <em>C. pusillus</em>, <em>Platymetopus vestitus</em> Dejean, 1829 (Coleoptera), and <em>S. cerealella</em> (Lepidoptera). Among these, <em>R. dominica</em> had the highest relative abundance (68%), while <em>S. oryzae</em> appeared in all regions. R<em>hyzopertha</em> dominica and <em>S. cerealella</em> were prevalent in Cacheu and Oio. Their widespread presence across Africa suggests a broader distribution. Effective management strategies include hermetic storage, cleaning, biological control, and efficient drying techniques. This study holds significant importance as it presents findings related to the under-researched African rice species (<em>Oryza glaberrima</em>) and a specialized cultivation system: mangrove swamp rice. Findings offer valuable insights into storage practices to enhance food security in rice-producing regions and pave the way for future research on pest management and sustainable rice storage solutions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17019,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Stored Products Research","volume":"111 ","pages":"Article 102567"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143104949","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Chemical profile, insecticidal and repellent activities of four underexplored Moroccan essential oils against Sitophilus oryzae","authors":"Mbarek Ouabou ,&nbsp;Houssam Annaz ,&nbsp;Filippo Maggi ,&nbsp;Marta Ferrati ,&nbsp;Eleonora Spinozzi ,&nbsp;Amal El Amrani","doi":"10.1016/j.jspr.2025.102552","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jspr.2025.102552","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aims to evaluate the chemical composition and insecticidal and repellent effects of essential oils (EOs) extracted from four underexplored Moroccan plants, i.e., <em>Deverra denudata, Micromeria macrosiphon, Ruta angustifolia,</em> and <em>Thymus riatarum,</em> against the rice weevil <em>Sitophilus oryzae</em>. The chemical composition of the EOs was determined through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Moreover, the insecticidal effect was assessed through fumigant and contact assays, while the repellent effect was evaluated using the area preference assay. Regarding the chemical composition, <em>α</em>-pinene (42.7%) and <em>β</em>-pinene (40.5%) were the major compounds of <em>D. denudata</em> EO, while bornyl acetate (30.2%), borneol (20.4%), and camphor (12.5%) dominated in <em>M. macrosiphon</em> EO. Regarding <em>R. angustifolia</em> EO, 2-undecanone (90.2%) and 2-decanone (7.5%) were identified as the main constituents. Finally, <em>T. riatarum</em> EO was dominated by <em>p</em>-cymene, carvacrol, and borneol in percentages of 26.8, 25.0, and 13.5%, respectively. Regarding the fumigant toxicity, all EOs displayed strong efficacy after 72 h of exposure with LC₅₀ values comprised between 73.9 and 85 μL/L of air, and <em>D. denudata</em> EO appeared to be the most toxic. Regarding the contact toxicity, all EOs exhibited a strong effect, where <em>R. angustifolia</em> EO was the most toxic after 24 h (LC₅₀ of 0.13 μL/insect), and <em>M. macrosiphon</em> after 72 h (LC₅₀ value of 0.08 μL/insect). On the contrary, <em>T. riatarum</em> EO exhibited the highest percentages of repellence (PR of 92%) at the lowest concentration (0.019 μL/cm²) after 30 min, while <em>R. angustifolia</em> EO after 4 h (PR of 90%) at (0.019 μL/cm²). Finally, for the long-term exposure (24 h), <em>T. riatarum</em> exhibited the highest PR of 86 and 94% at 0.019 μL/cm² and 0.156 μL/cm², respectively. Overall, our study has reported for the first time the insecticidal and repellent effects of EOs from the four Moroccan plants against the rice weevil <em>S. oryzae</em>, underscoring their potential as efficient bio-insecticides for the management of stored product pests.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17019,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Stored Products Research","volume":"111 ","pages":"Article 102552"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143104948","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The choice of maize (Zea mays L.) storage facility among farmers in the Sissala East District in northern Ghana: What are the determinants?","authors":"Aziz Abdulai Adams ,&nbsp;Mary Nana Anima Akrofi ,&nbsp;Daniel Bruce Sarpong","doi":"10.1016/j.jspr.2025.102571","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jspr.2025.102571","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Maize (<em>Zea mays</em> L.) is crucial to food security in Ghana but is characterized by high postharvest losses (PHLs) resulting from the use of traditional storage structures. As poverty and food insecurity are rampant in northern Ghana, improved storage of maize, a staple food, is vital for boosting household food security. This study analyzed factors influencing farmers’ choice for improved maize storage facilities in the Sissala East District, a vital supplier of maize to neighboring districts in the Upper West Region and Ghana at large, where maize farming is the main source of income for farmers. Twenty-one communities and 132 maize farmers were surveyed. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed: purposive selection of the communities followed by a random selection of maize farmers from each community. Traditional storage facilities are still prevalent, while most farmers use small facilities with a maximum stocking capacity of 50 bags of 100 kg of maize. Many farmers used <em>Corchorus olitorius</em> (jute) sacks, while only five communities had a common warehouse. Regression results show that smallholder farmers with access to extension services were more likely to use improved storage facilities like warehouses, silos, and improved barns and storerooms. Farm characteristics such as farm size and productivity were strong determinants of the choice of an improved storage facility. Also, socio-economic factors such as age of the farmer, number of years in farming (experience), and access to non-farm income sources were associated with the use of improved maize storage facilities. PHLs, as a share of the average output of maize harvested per annum, were higher for farmers using traditional storage than improved storage. Extension services on improved methods of maize storage to boost adoption, improve maize productivity, and increase food availability are recommended. Community warehouses should be constructed. Sensitization on the extent of PHLs should be emphasized.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17019,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Stored Products Research","volume":"111 ","pages":"Article 102571"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-01-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143104947","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}