Some Mold-Induced Changes in Shelled Corn

Shelled corn which molded during storage was found to be high in fat acidity and moisture percentage and low in bushel weight (10). Because many different fungi were associated with the molded condition of the corn, the extent to which the individual fungi contributed to these changes was of interest. Laboratory studies were conducted by infesting sterile corn with pure cultures of different fungi which were obtained from the naturally molded shelled corn found in the storage bins (10). Determinations were made on the laboratory-molded corn for changes in organic matter, watersoluble and -insoluble nitrogen, fat acidity, pH and water content. These same fungi were also cultured on Czapek-Dox medium to determine their carbohydrate-utilizing and acid-producing capabilities on this medium in comparison with corn. Materials and methods