Effects of packaging materials on storage quality of peanut kernels.

In order to obtain optimum packaging materials for peanut kernels, the effects of four types of packaging materials on peanut storage quality (coat color, acid value, germination rate, relative damage, and prevention of aflatoxin contamination) were examined. The results showed that packaging materials had a major influence on peanut storage quality indexes. The color of the peanut seed coat packaged in the polyester/aluminum/polyamide/polyethylene (PET/AL/PA/PE) composite film bag did not change significantly during the storage period. Color deterioration was slower with polyamide/polyethylene (PA/PE) packaging materials than with polyethylene (PE) film bags and was slower in PE bags than in the woven bags. The use of PET/AL/PA/PE and PA/PE bags maintained peanut quality and freshness for more than one year and both package types resulted in better germination rates. There were significant differences between the four types of packaging materials in terms of controlling insect pests. The peanuts packaged in the highly permeable woven bags suffered serious invasion from insect pests, while both PET/AL/PA/PE and PA/PE bags effectively prevented insect infection. Peanuts stored in PET/AL/PA/PE and PA/PE bags were also better at preventing and controlling aflatoxin contamination

Effects of packaging treatments on acid values in peanuts during 24 months of storage.

<p>Acid values of the peanuts varied from month to month. Recorded levels of peanut acid values were highly variable from one time point to the next. The woven and PE bags showed a rapid increase, and the PA/PE and PET/AL/PA/PE bags showed a slow increase in acid values during the 24 months of storage.</p

Effects of packaging treatments on relative damage to peanuts during 24 months of storage.

<p>Recorded levels of peanut damage were highly variable from one time point to the next in the woven and PE bags, which had an observed grain damaged of 5%, and the relative damage to peanuts in the PA/PE and PET/AL/PA/PE bags showed little increase during the 24 months of storage.</p

Results of ANOVA analyses comparing the effects of packaging treatments on germination rates in peanuts during storage.

<p>Results of ANOVA analyses comparing the effects of packaging treatments on germination rates in peanuts during storage.</p