Ammonia Kills Spoilage Molds in Corn

Abstract

Corn containing 26% and 12% moisture were treated with ammonia at 2?o and .5?o of corn dry weight, respectively. Ammoniation at both concentrations eliminated external and infecting molds and yeasts and tended to reduce bacterial counts. Molds killed were species of AspergiUus, Penicillium, Fusarium, Trichoderma, and Rhizopus. In feeding trials, mice showed no preference between tempered and 2~ ammoniated corn that initially had a pungent odor, but mice consumed more control corn than corn ammoniated at .5%.