Respiration rate and dry matter loss of soybeans (Glycine max L.) obtained by a dynamic system

Summary The objective of this study was to quantify the carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) produced by soybeans stored at 25 °C, with moisture contents (MC) of 12%, 14%, 18% and 22% (wet basis – w.b.), in a dynamic respiration measurement system, as well as to evaluate the accumulated dry matter loss (DML) throughout the stoichiometric relation between glucose and CO 2 , the safe storage time of stored soybeans and quantify the aflatoxins of the soybeans during storage. Also, the presence of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2 within soybeans were evaluated. Soybeans with high MC contributed to a significant increase in respiration rate (RR) and, consequently, greater DML during the storage. Compared to the MC of 12% (w.b.), the soybean RR increased 1.3, 2.8 and 19 times for soybeans at 14%, 18% and 22% (w.b.) respectively. Maximum storage time of soybean increased with the decrease of MC. Soybeans stored with 22% (w.b.) obtained high contamination by aflatoxin B1 and B2.