Influence of soybean storage conditions on crude oil quality

This study was done to evaluate the quality of crude oil from soybeans stored under different conditions. The grains were harvested at 18% (w.b.) moisture content (m.c.), and after drying to 11.2, 12.8 and 14.8% they were stored at 20, 30 or 40 degrees C. Changes in free fatty acid (FFA) content, peroxide, iodine and photometric color index of the extracted oil were determined at 45-day intervals for 180-day storage. In general, oil FFA content increased in all the samples, except in grains at 11.2% m.c. and stored at 20 degrees C. The peroxide and photometric color index increased significantly, independently of storage conditions; however, the increase was more accentuated in oil extracted of stored grains at high m.c. and temperature. It was concluded that crude oil quality is not affected during 6-month storage of soybeans up to 15.0% m. c. (w.b.) at 20 degrees C, and for storage at 30 degrees C, the grain moisture up to 13% maintains oil quality within the Brazilian market standards.