2.2   Quality changes in stored food grains

In India, the food grains produced are usually stored in bulk. Food grains during storage undergo certain physical, chemical and biological changes due to the presence of enzymes and bio-chemicals itself and the enzymes produced by the insects, pests and microbes or due to some other factors. These changes may deteriorate the quality of the grains. Usually the physical, chemical and biological changes occur in the food grains during harvesting, handling, transportation and storage

Insects in stored grain can result in the reduction of both grain quantity and quality