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A high temperature/low oxygen pulse improves cold storage disinfestation.

Author(s) : CHERVIN C., KULKARNI S., KREIDL S., BIRRELL F., GLENN D.

Type of article: Article

Summary

Short periods of elevated temperature under controlled atmospheres effectively control insect pests. Cold treatment is also an effective non-chemical disinfestation process. Tests were performed to evaluate the tolerance of pears to a range of temperatures (30-40 deg C) combined with low oxygen. Treatment duration was 16-48 hours and was followed by 1 month storage at 0 deg C under air. When held at 30 deg C, pears withstood up to 30 hours of hypoxia. After cold storage, pears ripened slightly faster than controls but were undamaged. A temperature of 35 deg C induced slight skin browning, and 40 deg C resulted in substantial skin blackening. Some treatments were also tested on survival of lightbrown apple moth, Epiphyas postvittana (Walker). With all treatments combined, all eggs, larvae and adults were killed. Only 4% of the pupae produced adults and combined treatments led to an increase in pupa mortality of 38%. Implementation of such treatments would not require substantial investments for fruit industries equipped with controlled atmospheres storage facilities.

Details

  • Original title: A high temperature/low oxygen pulse improves cold storage disinfestation.
  • Record ID : 1998-1693
  • Languages: English
  • Source: Postharvest Biol. Technol. - vol. 10 - n. 3
  • Publication date: 1997/03

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