Early Detection of Spoilage in Stored Grain

Millions of dollars are lost worldwide due to insect and fungi caused spoilage in stored grain. We propose to develop new technology for early detection that takes advantage of the fact that small amounts of spoilage cause significant increases in CO2 concentration throughout the grain mass and storage structure. The new sensor will be designed for placement in stored grain structures to continuously monitor CO2. The readings will be processed intelligently to give users information about the characteristics and extent of the spoilage for their quality management decision making process. This will require the development of inexpensive, easy to install, easy to use, reliable sensor hardware to withstand the harsh grain facility environment. And software that accounts for dynamic factors such as grain type, grain quantity, storage structure architecture; to effectively alert the user about developing decay. Phase I trials have shown that early detection is feasible long before a human can smell it, or a temperature cable can sense it. Phase II is required to complete the R and D of the sensor hardware, software, and method for delivering the data. Phase II will also include pilot field tests of the prototype sensor concurrent with data collection for the software modeling. Commercialization of this device will allow new protection of the US grain yield during post-harvest storage, help prevent dangerous mycotoxins in the food chain, and avoid financial loss due to the application of timely spoilage mitigation.