COMPETENT, COST-EFFECTIVE GRAINS & PULSES PACKAGING SOLUTIONS FROM NICHROME
Food grains and pulses are a rich source of life-sustaining nutrients. Good sources of carbohydrates, they also provide protein, fat, vitamins and minerals. They are the dietary staples for more than 95% of India's population. Rice is the predominant cereal grain consumed in India, followed by wheat, maize, millet and sorghum. Although grains are annual crops, they are consumed throughout the year. In general, grains are characterised by good storage stability, however they do get affected by high humidity, attack by pests, rodents, insects, etc., and physiological factors such as respiration and consequent heat build-up in the grains. Hence, proper and safe storage methods need to be adopted till the grains are consumed. Proper packaging processes and packaging materials can help to achieve satisfactory storage. Usually, before bulk packaging and storage, grain manufacturers/marketers fumigate their grains to diminish microbial growth and increase shelf life. Packaging of grains and pulses must provide protection against 4 types of risks: 1. Biological - insects, rodents, micro-organisms, etc. 2. Physical -temperature, humidity and losses caused by improper sealing/seaming of the bag.