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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Salinas, California » Crop Improvement and Protection Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #367119
Research Project: Methyl Bromide Replacement: Post-harvest Treatment of Perishable Commodities

Location: Crop Improvement and Protection Research

Title: Nitric oxide fumigation for postharvest control of pests and pathogens

Author
item Liu, Yong Biao
item YANG, XIANGBING - University Of California
item OH, SOOKYUNG - University Of California

Submitted to: Methyl Bromide Alternatives and Emissions Research Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/23/2019
Publication Date: 11/3/2019
Citation: Liu, Y.-B., Yang, X., Oh, S. 2019. Nitric oxide fumigation for postharvest control of pests and pathogens. Proceedings of MBAO: Fumigation and Alternatives for Production, Storage and Trade Conference, 52-1, November 11-13, 2019, San Diego, California.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Nitric oxide (NO) fumigation is effective against all of 14 pest species tested to date. When conducted properly, NO fumigation is also safe to postharvest quality of fresh fruit and vegetables. In addition, NO fumigation resulted in better postharvest quality of fruit such as strawberries and apples. NO fumigation does not significantly increase nitrate or nitrite levels as residues in fresh and stored products. More recently, we demonstrated that nitrogen dioxide (NO2) can inactivate Aspergillus flavus spores and effectively control both bacteria and fungi on unpasteurized almonds. NO fumigations can be regulated to have desired levels of NO and NO2. Therefore, NO fumigation with NO and NO2 has potential to control pests and pathogens.