The main advantage of preserving grains and seeds in hermetically sealed enclosures under vacuum and/or inert gas is that it eliminates the need to use traditional insecticides with persistent residues. Under vacuum or inert gas, insect populations are unable to reproduce and survive over the long term.
Other substantial benefits of vacuum or inert gas preservation have been validated by numerous research studies around the world:
- Preservation of a high level of germination capacity in seeds or cereals intended for germination (e.g. barley and malting wheat);
- Limiting the decline in germination vigor (germination index, GI) of seeds and malting barley, particularly after long-term storage;
- The possibility of storing grain with a slightly higher moisture content than the commercial standard over short periods, thus saving on drying costs;
- grains can be stored without risk of infestation or loss of technological quality at temperatures of 20-22°C (without the need for cooling to lower temperatures)
- Reduce grain respiration by depriving oxygen to molds likely to develop at critical moisture levels.
- Reduce lipid oxidation in oilseeds and stabilize oil acidity.