Alternative fumigants to methyl bromide for the control of pest infestation in grain and dry food products

The primary aim of the current study is to evaluate the potential use of the known isothyiocyanates (ITC) as compared to a new ITC isolated from Eruca sativa (salad rocket) as fumigants for the control of stored products insects. The biological activity of methyl iodide (CH3I), carbon disulphide (CS2), benzaldehyde (C7H60) and essential oils were also evaluated. The toxicity of the various fumigants was assessed against adults and larvae of a number of major stored-product insects. ITCs are potential candidates because only very low concentrations are needed for the control of stored-product insects. It should be mentioned that Eruca sativa is used worldwide as a food supplement. Methyl thio-butyl ITC the main bioactive component in this plant has high toxicity against insects, but lower mammalian toxicity as compared to other active ITCs. Comparative studies with CH3I, CS2 and C7H60 showed that the first was the mot active compound against stored-product insects followed by the second and the third. CH3I was found less sorptive and to be less penetrative in wheat than CS2. The activity of some essential oils was also evaluated. In this context, we should keep in mind that a general consensus is very difficult to achieve in order to introduce broadspectrum fumigants like methyl bromide or phosphine. Because of this, alternative fumigants could be developed against particular species of insects or to be used for specific food product commodity. Keywords: Fumigants; Isothiocyanates; Methyl iodide; Carbon disulfide; Benzaldehyde

Dates fumigation with phosphine: Poster

Stored dates are usually infested by sap beetles and moths. For years, the common practice for dates disinfestation was fumigation with methyl bromide (MB). After MB phase-out, heat treatment and modified atmosphere are used. However, there are several limitations of these methods. In search for alternatives for dates disinfestation, fumigation by phosphine was evaluated. Commercial fumigations of Medjool dates variety using phosphine were conducted in a standard 20 ft. shipping container. Two formulations of phosphine were used: Magtoxin® Plates 56% (Detia Freyberg GmbH, Germany), and Phostoxin® Tablets 56% (Detia Freyberg GmbH, Germany). The phosphine dosage range was 1-4 g/m3. The exposure time range was 24-72 hrs. Several fumigations were carried out by an innovative phosphine generator model OMT 501 developed by Universal Probes. Most fumigations carried out demonstrated total dates disinfestation. The application of Magtoxin plates, especially using the OMT 501 demonstrates significant advantages versus Phostoxin tablets; the advantages were in quicker gas development, and achieving much higher maximum and pre-ventilation phosphine concentration levels. Upon fumigation using the OMT 501, plates are easily collected and disposed, no residual dust left on the dates, which avoided their contamination. No phosphine residues were found in the fumigated dates, neither changes in organoleptic properties were noted. Phosphine fumigation using the phosphine generator model OMT 501 provides safer, quicker, more efficient dates disinfestation.Stored dates are usually infested by sap beetles and moths. For years, the common practice for dates disinfestation was fumigation with methyl bromide (MB). After MB phase-out, heat treatment and modified atmosphere are used. However, there are several limitations of these methods. In search for alternatives for dates disinfestation, fumigation by phosphine was evaluated. Commercial fumigations of Medjool dates variety using phosphine were conducted in a standard 20 ft. shipping container. Two formulations of phosphine were used: Magtoxin® Plates 56% (Detia Freyberg GmbH, Germany), and Phostoxin® Tablets 56% (Detia Freyberg GmbH, Germany). The phosphine dosage range was 1-4 g/m3. The exposure time range was 24-72 hrs. Several fumigations were carried out by an innovative phosphine generator model OMT 501 developed by Universal Probes. Most fumigations carried out demonstrated total dates disinfestation. The application of Magtoxin plates, especially using the OMT 501 demonstrates significant advantages versus Phostoxin tablets; the advantages were in quicker gas development, and achieving much higher maximum and pre-ventilation phosphine concentration levels. Upon fumigation using the OMT 501, plates are easily collected and disposed, no residual dust left on the dates, which avoided their contamination. No phosphine residues were found in the fumigated dates, neither changes in organoleptic properties were noted. Phosphine fumigation using the phosphine generator model OMT 501 provides safer, quicker, more efficient dates disinfestation

Improvement of phosphine fumigation by the use of Speedbox

Today, phosphine is turning to be a major fumigant for controlling insects in stored products. However, few limitations, such as low temperatures and relatively long exposure time, limit the phosphine use. In order to improve phosphine application, a special devise, containing a heater and a ventilator, called "Speedbox" has been developed by Detia Degesch GmbH Germany. For studying the effectiveness of phosphine fumigation using Speedbox, we have conducted two kinds of experiments: one in a fumigation room (Pilot) and other in commercial warehouse. For pilot fumigation, adults, pupae and late larvae of Sitophilus oryzae, Rhyzopertha dominica, Oryzaephilus surinamensis, Trogoderma granarium and Callosobruchus maculatus, and all stages of Tribolium castaneum Herbst, Plodia interpunctella and Ephestia cautella were used as test insects. One to three Degesch Plates (about 2-6 g of phosphine gas per m3) were used. Exposure time was 1 to 3 days. The phosphine concentrtion was monitored by Bedfont device model 415. At 4 g/m3 for 48 ha maximum of phosphine concentration of 1460 ppm was reached. The total mortality of all tested insects and stages was recorded, except the eggs of E. cautella (98%). The commercial stack fumigation was done at the dosages of 2-4 g/m3, exposure time of 2-4 days and commodity temperatures of 6-17ºC. At a target concentration of 4 g/m3, 2 hours after beginning of the treatment, the concentration of the gas has reached 414 ppm, with a maximum of 1480 ppm. The total mortality of tested insects at adult, late larvae and pupae stages was recorded. The use of Speedbox allows one-day decrease in the plates degassing time, recirculation of the gas and its event distribution in the treated space and controlling major stored product insects for shorter exposure time at low temperatures. Keywords: Fumigation; Posphine; Speedbox; Stored-product insect

Laboratory evaluation of diatomaceous earth against main stored product insects

The sensitivity of the main external and internal stored product insect pests to the commercial formulation of Detia Degesch Diatomaceous Earth – DDDE - Inerto (DE) was studied in laboratory experiments. The tested insects were adults of internal feeders Sitophilus oryzae Rhyzopertha dominica and external feeders Oryzaephilus surinamensis, Tribolium castaneum, and larvae (third instar) of T.castaneum. The DE was applied to wheat grain of 12% moisture content at concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 g/kg of grain. The treated and untreated (control) grain were kept at 28°C and 65 ± 5% r.h. The numbers of dead and survived insects were counted two, three and four weeks after treatment. The number of adult progeny was counted nine weeks after treatment. At a concentration of 0.5 g/kg, mortality of S. oryzae and O. surinamensis after three weeks of exposure to DE were 92 and 86%, respectively. In contrast, mortality of T. castaneum and R. dominica adults was 3 and 37%, respectively. Progeny production of O. surinamensis and T. castaneum at a concentration of 2 g/kg was negligible, since only few individuals were recorded nine weeks after treatment, in comparison with the high progeny production in the control grain. The progeny of S. oryzae was also reduced. In contrast, for R. dominica was reduced only twice, in comparison with the control. In the case of T. castaneum larvae, at a concentration of 2 g/kg, after 4 weeks of exposure, 37% of the larvae emerged to adults, compared with 95% in control. Nine weeks after treatment, the number of F1adults was 100% suppressed. DE efficacy was similar at 4 g/kg. Based on the findings of the present study, the efficacy of the tested DE was influenced by DE concentration, insect species, developmental stage and exposure interval to the treated commodity.Keywords: Diatomaceous earth, Stored product insects, Wheat grai

Phytochemical-based nano emulsions for stored grain protection: Presentation

Stored grain losses caused by pest insects contribute significantly to the global food crisis. Currently, there are two main chemical control methods against stored product insect pests: fumigation with very toxic gases and grain protection by residual contact insecticides. Today, the global tendency is to prevent/reduce the wide use of insecticides, which have high toxicity to humans and harm the environment. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop alternative eco-friendly approaches for stored insect pest control. Essential oils from Micromeria fruticosa and Mentha rotundifolia (Fam. Labiatae) and their main constituent pulegone which previously were shown by us as very active against stored product insect pests, were encapsulated into coarse and nano emulsions. The insecticidal activity of the developed formulations against primary internal insect rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae L.) and secondary external pest red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum Herbst) was evaluated in laboratory and pilot experiments. It was found that the phytochemical-based nano emulsions offered significant advantages and provided powerful and prolonged biological activity compare with the coarse formulations. The developed nano emulsions could serve as a natural, effective, low-toxify for human, and environmentally preferred method for protection stored grain and dry food products from pest insects.Stored grain losses caused by pest insects contribute significantly to the global food crisis. Currently, there are two main chemical control methods against stored product insect pests: fumigation with very toxic gases and grain protection by residual contact insecticides. Today, the global tendency is to prevent/reduce the wide use of insecticides, which have high toxicity to humans and harm the environment. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop alternative eco-friendly approaches for stored insect pest control. Essential oils from Micromeria fruticosa and Mentha rotundifolia (Fam. Labiatae) and their main constituent pulegone which previously were shown by us as very active against stored product insect pests, were encapsulated into coarse and nano emulsions. The insecticidal activity of the developed formulations against primary internal insect rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae L.) and secondary external pest red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum Herbst) was evaluated in laboratory and pilot experiments. It was found that the phytochemical-based nano emulsions offered significant advantages and provided powerful and prolonged biological activity compare with the coarse formulations. The developed nano emulsions could serve as a natural, effective, low-toxify for human, and environmentally preferred method for protection stored grain and dry food products from pest insects

Climate change and its implications on stored food grains: Presentation

Safe food grain storages are considered as a measure to adapt to the changing global climates and as a channel to food security, particularly in periods when agriculture fails. However, grain storage themselves can be heavily affected by changing global climates. One main aspect of the ‘climate change’ is the rise of global temperature that may lead to an increase in atmospheric humidity. This climate change, warm and humid, are not suitable for grain storage. At such a scenario, stored grain is at a risk due to the favorable conditions developed for the growth of insect pests. Predicting the future ecological impact of climate change drivers requires understanding how these same drivers have acted in the past on the dynamics of insect's population. In the past ten years there has been a detailed documentation on the biotic and abiotic conditions of two storage sites in Israel. This historical ecological data can reveal long-term consequences of multiple drivers of climate change. The changes can be evident at the level of the species and at the level of the societies of insect-pest in the grain storage. The differences between two storages located at different climate regions in Israel further predict the direction current IPM practice may lead to. Following this understanding, we hope to develop feasible mitigation strategies that might overcome the changes ahead of us.Safe food grain storages are considered as a measure to adapt to the changing global climates and as a channel to food security, particularly in periods when agriculture fails. However, grain storage themselves can be heavily affected by changing global climates. One main aspect of the ‘climate change’ is the rise of global temperature that may lead to an increase in atmospheric humidity. This climate change, warm and humid, are not suitable for grain storage. At such a scenario, stored grain is at a risk due to the favorable conditions developed for the growth of insect pests. Predicting the future ecological impact of climate change drivers requires understanding how these same drivers have acted in the past on the dynamics of insect's population. In the past ten years there has been a detailed documentation on the biotic and abiotic conditions of two storage sites in Israel. This historical ecological data can reveal long-term consequences of multiple drivers of climate change. The changes can be evident at the level of the species and at the level of the societies of insect-pest in the grain storage. The differences between two storages located at different climate regions in Israel further predict the direction current IPM practice may lead to. Following this understanding, we hope to develop feasible mitigation strategies that might overcome the changes ahead of us

Bioactivity of essential oils from leaves and bark of Laurelia sempervirens and Drimys winteri against Acyrthosiphon pisum

BACKGROUND: The pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris), is a cosmopolitan pest that attacks a wide range of legume crops and vectors important plant virus diseases. In this project, essential oils from the leaf (L) and bark (B) of Laurelia sempervirens (Ruiz& Pav ´ on) Tul. (L) and Drimys winteri JR Forster& GForster (D) were extracted, and their deterrent and insecticidal activities were tested under laboratory conditions

Liquidation of Corporation

Import 22/07/2015Diplomová práce se zabývá procesem likvidace obchodních společností v České republice. Cílem této práce je popsat postup likvidace obchodních společností a upozornit na některé problémy, které proces likvidace s sebou přináší, poukázat na řešení základních organizačních a ekonomických otázek související s likvidací a propojit právní a daňový pohled na likvidaci. Práce je rozdělena do čtyř kapitol. V první kapitole jsou definovány jednotlivé právní formy obchodních společností a možné způsoby jejich zrušení. Druhá kapitola se zabývá popisem likvidačního procesu, kdy jsou popsány jednotlivé kroky likvidátora v průběhu likvidace. Třetí kapitola je věnována osobě likvidátora, podmínky nutné k výkonu likvidátora, povolání likvidátora do funkce. Čtvrtá kapitola je věnována praktickým problémům spojenými s procesem likvidace.Thesis deals with the process of liquidation of corporations in the Czech Republic. The aim of this thesis is to describe the procedure of liquidation and to point out some possible problems that could occur during liquidation. The legal and tax point view of the topic will also be included. Thesis is divided into 4 main chapters. Different legal forms of the corporations and the ways of dissolution of companies are defined in the first chapter. The second chapter pursues the process of liquidation. One part of this chapter is devoted to activities of the liquidator. The person of the liquidator, including his competences and required skills, is described in the third chapter. The last chapter is focused on practical problems concerning the process of liquidation.119 - Katedra právavelmi dobř