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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Wapato, Washington » Temperate Tree Fruit and Vegetable Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #112126
Title: HIGH-TEMPERATURE-SHORT-TIME THERMAL QUARANTINE METHODS

Author
item TANG, J - WSU
item IKEDIALA, J - WSU
item WANG, S - WSU
item Hansen, James D
item CAVALIERI, R - WSU

Submitted to: Postharvest Biology and Technology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/21/2000
Publication Date: 9/25/2000
Citation: Tang, J., Ikediala, J.N., Wang, S., Hansen, J.D., Cavalieri, R. 2000. High-temperature-short-time thermal quarantine methods. Postharvest Biology and Technology. 21:129-145.

Interpretive Summary: Much effort has been expended in developing thermal quarantine treatments to replace fumigation by methyl bromide, which has been determined to be an ozone depleter. Although heating a commodity may seem simple, the processes that eliminate insect pests without damaging the product are very complex. Thus, an experimental device was developed for collecting insect mortality data at precise exposures. From this information, predictive mathematical models can be used to determine treatment efficacy based on the amount and duration of energy. Furthermore, thermal energy can be applied by using a variety of methods, including radio frequency. Examples of potential quarantine treatments, for fruits and walnuts, using radio frequency are presented.

Technical Abstract: In this paper, we discussed kinetics models that can be used to study the intrinsic thermal mortality of insect pests. We described a unique heating block system to study the thermal mortality of insect pests and the effect of heating rates on insect mortality. We then used the kinetic data for codling moths larvae to show the possibility of developing high- temperature short-time thermal treatments to control codling moths and reduce thermal impact on product quality. We further discussed the inherent limitations of conventional hot air or hot water treatments, and summarized our recent research efforts using radio frequency energies in developing thermal quarantine treatments to control codling moth larvae in fruits and nuts.