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Use of Moisture Meter on the Post-harvest Loss Reduction of Rice

MA Hossain
SSO
Department of Farm Power and Machinery, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh

MA Awal
Department of Farm Power and Machinery, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh

MR Ali
Department of Farm Power and Machinery, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh

MM Alam
Department of Farm Power and Machinery, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Moisture content is one of the most important factors determining grain quality during harvesting, storage, trading, processing, and transportation because high moisture will create problems for farmers, especially during postharvest activities such as mold growth, higher insect infestation, loss in seed germination, and low market price. A study was conducted to find out a precise moisture meter (MM) for moisture content (MC) determination during postharvest activities of rice. John Deere moisture meter (JD MM), Moisture Probe and RiceterL MM were tested and calibrated to provide accurate result compared to that of Oven dry method. The average MC of same samples was found 11.4, 11.8, 12.3, and 13.1% by Oven dry method, Moisture Probe, RiceterL and John Deere MM, respectively. Standard deviations of the mean are 0.11, 0.17, 0.13 and 0.22, respectively by the corresponding moisture meters. Oven dry method i.e. drying whole kernels for 72 h at 105°C had the smallest standard deviation. This indicated long drying time and adequate drying temperature could ensure the precision of moisture determination. The reading of John Deere, Moisture Probe and RiceterL MM is higher by 1.7, 0.4 and 0.9%, respectively than that of oven dry method. Moisture measurement by these methods can lead to wide variations of conclusion. Moisture measurement by John Deere moisture meter is quicker and easier than Moisture Probe and RiceterL (MM). However, adjustment procedure with respect to calibration is needed before use.

Keywords: Moisture meter, Calibration, Tool, Post-harvest loss, Reduction, Rice

Location: BAU, Bangladesh

Start Date: 00-00-2016

End Date: 00-00-2017

Program Area: Farm Mechanization

Commodity: Moisture Meter

Objectives:

The study was undertaken to calibrate JD MM with oven dry method and RiceterL MM and to find out precise moisture meter for accurate grain moisture measurement.

Methodology:

The experiment was conducted at ambient condition in the Department of Farm Power and Machinery (DFPM) postharvest preservation and processing lab, Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) under the Postharvest Loss Reduction Innovation Lab (PHLIL) project.

Materials The drying oven was Memmer model ULM 400 (Memmer Co., Germany) heated with forced-air circulation. The temperature control was within ±0.5°C. The control accuracy of inner temperatures was checked by a Hart 8C 227-2562 RTD thermometer (Hart Co., USA). The accuracy of this thermometer was 0.01°C as tested by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, USA (NIST). Moisture content of rice was determined by John Deere digital moisture meter, Moisture Chek PLUSTM, SW08120 as shown in the following Figure 1. A digital balance (Model SHIMADZU BZ 32 OH, Japan) was used to weigh the samples. The accuracy of the balance was 0.001 g, as checked by METTLER 1585 standard weights. The standard weights were traced to E2 class weight standard, as calibrated by the National Measurement Laboratory, Taiwan. Medium-grain rough rice (BRRI dhan49) was harvested by a rice harvester at BAU agronomy farm. Rice was conditioned before mc determination. Each sample was about 3 kg, mixed thoroughly and sealed in a plastic container after cooling to room temperature. Samples were stored in a cooler at 28°C for 4 weeks to ensure moisture homogeneity. Before determining the moisture, containers of samples were taken out, kept in laboratory for 24 h to bring the grain temperature to the room temperature.

Experimental procedures The moisture determination procedures were adopted from the ASAE standard S352_1 (ASAE, 1982). The sample size was 15 g as moisture content below 25% was used. The whole grains or ground grains were placed in each of four moisture dishes. After weighing the dishes and grains, dishes and covers were placed in the oven. At the end of the drying period, the dishes were taken out and covered immediately. These dishes with covers were placed in desiccators until their temperature was cooled to room temperature. These dishes and covers were then weighed with a balance. Standard procedure In this study, drying whole grain in air oven using 105°C for 72 h was used as the base method to determine moisture contents of rough rice. The drying temperature was not too high so the volatile substance of dry material was not lost and the compositions would not be decomposed. The longer drying time could ensure that moisture could be removed from rough rice totally. Standard deviation At each moisture level, the average and standard deviation s of measured values of moisture contents determined by different procedures were calculated.

Source of Information: Progressive Agriculture 27 (4): 511-516, 2016 ISSN: 1017 - 8139

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Moisture content measurement is important to farmers for safe grain storage. If grain moisture is too high, there is a risk of quality reduction and losses in store. However, these losses can be mitigated by reducing mc at optimum level using appropriate moisture meter during post-harvest activities. MC measured by John Deere, RiceterL MM and Moisture Probe was higher by 1.7, 0.9 and 0.4%, respectively than that of oven dry method. Moisture meters provide an easy, convenient and precise way to measure grain moisture content. It would enable grains to be precisely dried, and thereby lower storage losses, increase smallholder livelihoods and enhance food security. An economic benefit of safe grain storage is that farmers can sell their produce at any time with desired prices; this increases farmers’ bargaining power, as they have the option to delay selling. This will help farmers get a fair price for their produce and limit the role of middlemen and hoarders.

Knowledge Management: Journal