University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Dissertations, Theses, & Student Research in Food Food Science and Technology Department Science and Technology 7-2016 FROM MILPAS TO THE MARKET: A STUDY ON THE USE OF METAL SILOS FOR SAFER AND BETTER TS ORAGE OF GUATEMALAN MAIZE José Rodrigo Mendoza University of Nebraska-Lincoln, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/foodscidiss Part of the Agricultural Economics Commons, Agricultural Science Commons, Environmental Microbiology and Microbial Ecology Commons, Food Microbiology Commons, Food Security Commons, Other Food Science Commons, and the Toxicology Commons Mendoza, José Rodrigo, "FROM MILPAS TO THE MARKET: A STUDY ON THE USE OF METAL SILOS FOR SAFER AND BETTER TS ORAGE OF GUATEMALAN MAIZE" (2016). Dissertations, Theses, & Student Research in Food Science and Technology. 75. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/foodscidiss/75 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Food Science and Technology Department at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations, Theses, & Student Research in Food Science and Technology by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. i FROM MILPAS TO THE MARKET: A STUDY ON THE USE OF METAL SILOS FOR SAFER AND BETTER STORAGE OF GUATEMALAN MAIZE by José Rodrigo Mendoza A THESIS Presented to the Faculty of The Graduate College at the University of Nebraska In Partial Fulfillment of Requirements For the Degree of Master of Science Major: Food Science & Technology Under the supervision of Professor Jayne Stratton Lincoln, Nebraska July, 2016 ii FROM MILPAS TO THE MARKET: A STUDY ON THE USE OF METAL SILOS FOR SAFER AND BETTER STORAGE OF GUATEMALAN MAIZE José Rodrigo Mendoza, M.S. University of Nebraska, 2016 Advisor: Jayne Stratton This project aimed to implement the use of metal silos to improve quality and safety of maize consumed by inhabitants of the highlands of Guatemala. This manuscript includes a literature review of the maize production chain in Guatemala, a survey about agricultural practices used in the region of study, as well as a characterization of the analyzed maize regarding its mycoflora, nutritional composition, and insect infestation. To better understand the current situation regarding agricultural practices and maize consumption, a survey was carried out. Sample consisted of 280 families representing 14 rural communities distributed in the townships of Todos Santos and Chiantla, Huehuetenango, Guatemala. In addition, 25 farms from the same region were sampled for maize, which was evaluated for fungal count, fumonisin and aflatoxin, and insect analysis. Among surveyed farmers, 13 grew and harvested maize (denominated Chain 1, C1) while 12 had no land available to plant and consequently acquired maize by other means (denominated Chain 2, C2) such as local markets. Due to a clear diversity in the phenotype of the corn samples, proximate analyses of the various cultivars was conducted. Most Guatemalan farmers from the rural area have low income and large families, thus the economic aspect is a key factor for farmers desiring to improve in their lives. By the implementation of a metal silo, farmers who have the means to acquire this technology would improve their grain quality and safety and, with that, their livelihoods. A financial analysis was conducted to evaluate the economic feasibility of the farmers on purchasing the storage technology and either obtaining revenue (C1) or saving money (C2) in the process would be able to afford such a vessel. iii Acknowledgements Drs. Andréia Bianchini and Jayne Stratton. Thank you for letting me be part of your work team. Working for the Food Processing Center and doing applied research shaped me into a better professional. Thank you for your supervision, advice and friendship throughout my graduate studies. Dr. Heather Hallen-Adams, thank you for sharing a portion of your vast knowledge, along with some laughs. I will always be thankful for your guidance through this project. Dr. Fabio Mattos, for teaching me all the necessary tools for this important component of the project. Thank you. Dr. Carlos Campabadal, thank you for all of your assistance and advice in these two years. I hope we can work together in the future. My beloved friends. Your friendship was crucial for the conclusion of this project. Thank you for always believing in me Laura, Herbo, Lau, Martin, Shara, Carmen, Tico, Gabriela, Tiny, and many more. My family. Adam, Anny, Enio, AnaGabbs, Karli, aunt Liz, Linda, and many others. Thank you for rooting for me. There are no words to describe how thankful I am to you, mom and dad. Without your love and wisdom I would not be the person I am today. Thank you for teaching me about life. I love you. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS Scientific Manuscript One: Maize in Guatemala: seed development, production, limitations, and opportunities...............................................................................................1 ABSTRACT.........................................................................................................................2 INTRODUCTION...............................................................................................................3 THE NATIONAL MAIZE ECONOMY.............................................................................4 GUATEMALA’S AGRICULTURE AND MAIN MAIZE PRODUCTION AREAS........6 MAIZE SEED DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTION IN GUATEMALA...................9 MAIZE PRODUCTION LIMITATIONS.........................................................................16 GAPS IN THE CURRENT KNOWLEDGE AND FUTURE OPORTUNITIES FOR THE GUATEMALAN MAIZE PRODUCTION CHAIN.........................................................19 REFERENCES..................................................................................................................21 Scientific Manuscript Two: Traditional maize post-harvest management practices amongst smallholder farmers in the western highlands of Guatemala..............................27 ABSTRACT.......................................................................................................................28 INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................29 MATERIALS AND METHODS.......................................................................................31 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION........................................................................................33 REFERENCES..................................................................................................................46 Scientific Manuscript Three: Assessment of smallholder farmer’s maize in the western highlands of Guatemala: insect and mold infestation, mycotoxin contamination, and proximate analysis.............................................................................................................49 ABSTRACT.......................................................................................................................50 v INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................51 MATERIALS AND METHODS.......................................................................................54 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION........................................................................................57 REFERENCES..................................................................................................................71 Scientific Manuscript Four: Understanding the mycobiota of maize from the highlands of Guatemala, and implications to its quality and safety...................................................77 ABSTRACT.......................................................................................................................78 INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................79 MATERIALS AND METHODS.......................................................................................81 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION........................................................................................83 REFERENCES..................................................................................................................90 Scientific Manuscript Five: Financial feasibility study of metal silo implementation for proper maize storage in the western highlands of Guatemala...........................................97 ABSTRACT.......................................................................................................................98 INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................99 MATERIALS AND METHODS.....................................................................................103 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION......................................................................................105 REFERENCES................................................................................................................116 vi LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES Scientific Manuscript One: Maize in Guatemala: seed development, production, limitations, and opportunities FIGURE 1. Guatemala maize production and annual growth rate. Years 1960 to 2016.....5 FIGURE 2. Guatemala maize import and export movements. Years 1960 to 2016............5