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

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

The use of phytochemicals as fumigants for the control of stored product insect pests

The current study is aimed to evaluate the potential use of the known isothyiocyanates, as compared to a new isothyiocyanate (ITC) isolated from Eruca sativa (salad rocket) as fumigants for the control of stored product insects. The biological activity of methyl iodide (CH3I), carbon disulphide (CS2), benzaldehyde (C7H6O) 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 known to have high toxicity and only very low concentrations are needed for the control of stored product insects. Eruca sativa is used worldwide as a food supplement. Methylthio butyl ITC, the main bioactive component in this plant has high toxicity against insects, but lower mammalian toxicity as compared to other active ITCs. This makes this compound a potential candidate for insect control. Comparative studies with CH3I, CS2 and C7H6O showed that the first was the most active compound against stored product insects followed by the second and third. C7H6O was found active, but very sorptive; therefore it was less effective against insects. The activity of a large number of essential oils (EOs) isolated from aromatic plants was also evaluated

Biological activity of two juvenoids and two ecdysteroids against three stored product insects. Insect Biochemical Molecular Biology

Abstract The insecticidal activity of juvenile hormone agonists methoprene and pyriproxyfen, and the ecdysone agonists RH-5849 and tebufenozide was evaluated against susceptible and actellic-resistant strains of Tribolium castaneum and susceptible strains of Rhyzopertha dominica and Sitophilus oryzae. Concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 20 ppm of the analogues were mixed in the food medium to which the tested insects were exposed. The results showed that all these compounds could affect the development of the tested species to differing extents but had no effect on the mortality of parental adults. The two JH analogues did not prolong the life span of R. dominica and S. oryzae, but very greatly extended that of T. castaneum. The extension led to the production of giant larvae and failure to pupate. Actellic-resistant strain of T. castaneum showed some cross-resistance to methoprene and pyriproxyfen, but not to RH-5849 and tebufenozide. Pyriproxyfen was the most effective compound among the four IGRs; a concentration of 0.1 ppm could completely inhibit the F 1 adult occurrence of both S-and R-strains of T. castaneum and its LC 90 s for controlling R. dominica and S. oryzae were 0.1 and 1.2 ppm, respectively. Methoprene was highly effective against R. dominica, but less active on S. oryzae. RH-5849 could achieve almost complete control of F 1 adults of T. castaneum and R. dominica at 10 ppm, but was less potent on S. oryzae. Tebufenozide appeared to be much less active on these three species compared with the other three compounds. The percentage reductions of F 1 adults for S-and R-strains of T. castaneum at a concentration of 20 ppm were 80 and 99%, respectively

Activity of two deltamethrin formulations on different surfaces against rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.): Poster

Several methods are used to control stored product insects. The spraying of empty structures with insecticides, prior to the introduction of produce, is an important method for preventing development of insects. It is known that insecticide activity varies according to the various sprayed surfaces. In this study, the activity of deltamethrin was examined on concrete and plastic surfaces. Deltamethrin is a synthetic pyrethroid, active by contact against a variety of insects; applied in Israel in two formulations: KESHET 2.5% EC and BUNGY 1.5% SC (ADAMA Makhteshim Ltd.). Adults of the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.), served as target insect in all experiments. The research was carried out in plastic Petri dishes and in Petri dishes with layer of concrete. Deltamethrin (KESHET 2.5% EC) was applied in water solution in doses of 0.02, 0.1, 0.5 g/m². Without concrete, complete mortality of S. oryzae was obtained at a concentration of 0.02 g/m², whereas in concrete plates, no mortality was found in all 3 concentrations. In contrast, deltamethrin (BUNGY 1.5% SC) in doses of 0.1 g/m², caused 100% mortality with and without concrete layer. The same results were found in the commercial warehouse. No difference in efficiency was found between the spraying methods: airbrush (Sparmax DH-125) or dripping by pipette. The results show that the efficacy of warehouse spraying by deltamethrin depends on its formulation.Several methods are used to control stored product insects. The spraying of empty structures with insecticides, prior to the introduction of produce, is an important method for preventing development of insects. It is known that insecticide activity varies according to the various sprayed surfaces. In this study, the activity of deltamethrin was examined on concrete and plastic surfaces. Deltamethrin is a synthetic pyrethroid, active by contact against a variety of insects; applied in Israel in two formulations: KESHET 2.5% EC and BUNGY 1.5% SC (ADAMA Makhteshim Ltd.). Adults of the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.), served as target insect in all experiments. The research was carried out in plastic Petri dishes and in Petri dishes with layer of concrete. Deltamethrin (KESHET 2.5% EC) was applied in water solution in doses of 0.02, 0.1, 0.5 g/m². Without concrete, complete mortality of S. oryzae was obtained at a concentration of 0.02 g/m², whereas in concrete plates, no mortality was found in all 3 concentrations. In contrast, deltamethrin (BUNGY 1.5% SC) in doses of 0.1 g/m², caused 100% mortality with and without concrete layer. The same results were found in the commercial warehouse. No difference in efficiency was found between the spraying methods: airbrush (Sparmax DH-125) or dripping by pipette. The results show that the efficacy of warehouse spraying by deltamethrin depends on its formulation

Rapid Detection and Identification of Mycotoxigenic Fungi and Mycotoxins in Stored Wheat Grain

This study aimed to assess the occurrence of toxigenic fungi and mycotoxin contamination in stored wheat grains by using advanced molecular and analytical techniques. A multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) strategy was established for rapid identification of mycotoxigenic fungi, and an improved analytical method was developed for simultaneous multi-mycotoxin determination in wheat grains by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) without the need for any clean-up. The optimized multiplex PCR method was highly specific in detecting fungal species containing species-specific and mycotoxin metabolic pathway genes. The method was applied for evaluation of 34 wheat grain samples collected from storage warehouses for the presence of mycotoxin-producing fungi, and a few samples were found positive for Fusarium and Aspergillus species. Further chemical analysis revealed that 17 samples contained mycotoxins above the level of detection, but only six samples were found to be contaminated over the EU regulatory limits with at least one mycotoxin. Aflatoxin B1, fumonisins, and deoxynivalenol were the most common toxins found in these samples. The results showed a strong correlation between the presence of mycotoxin biosynthesis genes as analyzed by multiplex PCR and mycotoxin detection by LC/MS/MS. The present findings indicate that a combined approach might provide rapid, accurate, and sensitive detection of mycotoxigenic species and mycotoxins in wheat grains