Corn cob dry

Corn cob dry matter loss in storage as affected by temperature and moisture content

by

Bernardo G. del Campo

A thesis submitted to the graduate faculty

in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of

MASTER OF SCIENCE

Co-majors: Biorenewable Resources and Technology and Industrial and Agricultural Technology

Program of Study Committee: Thomas J. Brumm, Major Professor Carl J. Bern Russell E. Mullen Theodore B. Bailey

Iowa State University

Ames, Iowa

2010

UMI Number: 1487964

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To my family and friends

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIST OF FIGURES .......................................................................................................................iv

LIST OF TABLES.......................................................................................................................... v

CHAPTER 1: GENERAL INTRODUCTION ............................................................................... 1

Rationale and Overview................................................................................................... 1

Dissertation Organization ................................................................................................ 3

Objective........................................................................................................................... 3

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW........................................................................................ 4

Biomass, Cellulosic Potential .......................................................................................... 4

Corn Cobs Commercial Utilization ................................................................................. 5

Corncob Characterization .............................................................................................. 13

Cob Storage and Deterioration....................................................................................... 17

Shelled Corn Storage Time and Previous Respirometer Studies................................... 27

CHAPTER 3: CORN COB DRY MATTER LOSS IN STORAGE AS AFFECTED BY

TEMPERATURE AND MOISTURE CONTENT................................................................... 30

Abstract.......................................................................................................................... 30

Materials and Methods................................................................................................... 33

Results and Discussions................................................................................................. 39

Conclusions.................................................................................................................... 44

References...................................................................................................................... 46

CHAPTER 4: GENERAL CONCLUSIONS................................................................................ 48

REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................. 50

APPENDIX A. DIAGRAM AND CODING................................................................................ 53

Diagram for the Electrical Components and Experimental set up................................. 53

List of Materials and Datasheets.................................................................................... 53

Codes for the Interface:.................................................................................................. 54

APPENDIX B. STATISTICAL RESULTS ................................................................................. 67

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.......................................................................................................... 79

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