Advances in Insect Pest Management in postharvest stortage of cereals: Irradiation using machine sources for disinfestation

Authors: Follett, Peter; AKEPSIMAIDIS, G - Buhler Ag; MENESES, N - Buhler Ag; MURDOCH, M - Buhler Ag; KOTILAINEN, H - Buhler Ag

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/21/2020
Publication Date: 9/25/2020
Citation: Follett, P.A., Akepsimaidis, G., Meneses, N., Murdoch, M., Kotilainen, H. 2020. Advances in Insect Pest Management in postharvest stortage of cereals: Irradiation using machine sources for disinfestation. In: Maier, D.,editor. Advances in postharvest management of cereals and grains. Cambridge, UK: Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing. 319-338. https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2020.0072.13.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.19103/AS.2020.0072.13

Interpretive Summary: Irradiation is a viable alternative to fumigation as a pre- or post-shipment quarantine treatment for control of cereal and grain pests. Irradiation is fast, cost competitive, broadly effective against insect and mite pests, temperature insensitive, does not leave residues, and does not affect product quality. Due to the massive effects on insect DNA and other biomolecules, irradiation is immune to resistance development. For stored product pests, irradiation may be particularly helpful in controlling phosphine and methyl bromide resistant populations and could help manage resistance by preventing the spread of resistant insects in exported grains. Irradiation can also be used to kill human pathogenic bacteria, making food safer, and prevent or delay the growth of molds and bacteria that cause spoilage of stored grains. Irradiation from machine sources (e-beam and x-ray) offer maximum flexibility and are the wave of the future.

Technical Abstract: Irradiation is a viable alternative to fumigation as a pre- or post-shipment quarantine treatment for control of stored product insects and pathogens in cereals and grains. Electron beam (e-beam) and x-ray are machine sources of ionizing radiation that avoid the problems associated with the transportation of radioactive isotopes. Low energy electron beam (LEEB) was tested as a promising technology able to disinfest grains at industrial throughput of white rice. E-beam treatment is highly efficient but has low product penetration. E-beam irradiation of rice infested with Rhyzopertha dominica and Sitophilus oryzae at 225 keV caused 100% mortality after 45 days. X-ray irradiation has excellent penetration properties and therefore has potential for treatment of bulk grains but is less efficient than e-beam. X-ray irradiation at a dose of 120 Gy sterilized Sitophilus oryzae and prevented further grain loss. Irradiation may be particularly helpful in controlling phosphine resistant populations and will help manage resistance to phosphine by preventing the spread of resistant insects in exported cereal and grains.