RELATING ELECTROLYTE LEAKAGE TO SHELLED CORN STORABILITY

Corn from three growing seasons was harvested, dried, and stored in sm all bins. Samples taken at harvest and after various periods of bin st orage (up to 77 months) were evaluated by two primary tests: carbon di oxide evolution during accelerated storage at approximate to 20.5% moi sture content and 26 degrees C and electrolyte leakage from bulk (100 g) samples soaking in deionized water. The initial (r < 72 hr) slope o f carbon dioxide evolution rate curves (SLOPE72) was used as a base me asure of storability (i.e., potential for safe Storage without signifi cant mold invasion). In electrolyte leakage tests, both test temperatu re and initial sample moisture content influenced results. Additionall y, water conductivity after 10 min was correlated (r = 0.79) with SLOP E72, implying that electrolyte leakage has the potential to provide ra pid information regarding future storability.