Soybean storage on an industrial scale: effects on physical-chemical, technological, and nutritional properties

Soybeans are a major global oilseed, and Brazil's leading production requires large-scale storage to ensure a continuous supply. However, long-term storage, especially under tropical conditions, can affect physicochemical, technological, and nutritional quality. This study evaluated the industrial-scale storage of soybeans in a commercial semi-hermetic metal silo in southern Brazil and proposed a practical index to estimate technical dry-matter losses. Soybeans were stored in a silo with automated aeration, and samples were collected over ten months. Physical properties, protein content and solubility, oil yield, lipid acidity, oxidation indices, fatty acid profile, and carotenoids were analyzed over the storage period. Storage did not change commercial classification but significantly reduced specific mass, thousand-grain weight, porosity, protein solubility, carotenoids, and oil yield, particularly after eight months. Electrical conductivity and lipid acidity increased, indicating structural and hydrolytic deterioration. Although semi-hermetic storage reduced quality losses, prolonged storage negatively affected the technological and nutritional characteristics of soybeans.