Carbon dioxide for control of an insect infestation in stored corn (maize)

doi:10.1016/0022-474X(73)90035-0

Journal of Stored Products Research

Volume 9, Issue 1, June 1973, Pages 25-29

https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-474X(73)90035-0 Get rights and content

Abstract

A silo containing 958·1 kl of shelled corn (maize) was treated for 99 hr with carbon dioxide (CO₂) for control of a potential natural infestation of stored-product insects. Cost of treatment was 0·429 U.S. $/kl. Corn samples were taken immediately before and following treatment and examined 1, 30 and 60 days after collection. The dead insects were removed from the samples at each examination, and the live insects were returned to the samples. Samples taken before treatment and held 60 days contained an average of 144·4 live and 59·8 dead insects, and samples taken after CO₂ and held 60 days contained an average of 0·1 live and 1·1 dead insects. Damage to the corn averaged 16·3 per cent in samples taken before treatment and held 60 days; damage averaged 0·6 per cent in samples taken after treatment and held for this period.

References (3)

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The application and distribution of carbon dioxide in a peanut (groundnut) silo for insect control
J. stored Prod. Res.
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The diffusion coefficient of carbon dioxide (CO₂) through grain bulks was determined using a transient method with the following variables: (1) grain bulk (wheat, barley, and canola); (2) moisture content (m.c.) (dry, damp, and wet conditions); (3) temperature (5°C, 15°C, 25°C, and 40°C); (4) direction of gas flow (upwards, downwards, and horizontal); (5) porosity (two levels for each grain bulk); (6) grain kernel orientation (vertical and horizontal); (7) initial concentration in the gas chamber (20%, 40%, and 60%); and (8) dockage (0%, 4%, 8%, and 12%). The diffusion coefficients of CO₂ through wheat bulks ranged from 5.9×10⁻⁶ to 7.6×10⁻⁶ m² s⁻¹, through barley bulks from 5.1×10⁻⁶ to 8.4×10⁻⁶ m² s⁻¹, and through canola bulks from 3.7×10⁻⁶ to 5.3×10⁻⁶ m² s⁻¹ for the test conditions studied.
Increasing the m.c. decreased diffusion coefficients. An increase in temperature generally increased the diffusion coefficient of CO₂. Diffusion in the downward direction resulted in higher diffusion coefficients. No significant difference in diffusion coefficients was observed between the upward and horizontal directions of flow. An increase in porosity resulted in higher diffusion coefficients. The upward diffusion coefficient of CO₂ was higher for vertical grain kernel orientation than for horizontal kernel orientation for wheat and barley but for canola, the difference between the two kernel orientations was not significant. There was no significant difference in diffusion coefficients for different initial gas concentrations. The diffusion coefficient increased linearly as the dockage was increased.
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Consumer demand for more natural, minimally processed and fresh foods is increasing. Modified atmosphere storage is a well-proven technology for preserving natural quality of food products in addition to extending the storage life. Extensive research has been done in this research area around the globe for many decades. Modified atmosphere storage is one of the most successful preservation techniques suitable for wide varieties of agricultural and food products. Grain farmers are seeing advantage in using this method as strict regulations are enforced on the use of other chemical preservation methods. Success of modified atmosphere storage of grains depends on the airtightness of the grain bins and research is needed to find the techniques to improve the sealability of the existing grain bins. It is widely practiced in the meat industry for preserving primal and sub-primal cuts. Modified atmosphere packaging is also commercially successful for preserving certain fruits and vegetables. With the vast basic and fundamental knowledge available on this subject, the research in this area is taking a new dimension to suit the new consumer trends and demands. There are new interests in applying this technique to the consumer-ready products in the meat industry. This technique can be integrated with active or interactive packaging to improve the control over the package atmosphere to achieve superior product quality and safety. Time–temperature indicators on the packages to show the remaining storage life of the food product would improve food safety and inventory control. In this paper, published research on modified atmosphere storage specifically on grains, meats, fruits and vegetables is critically reviewed and opportunities for future research are explored.
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1993, Postharvest Biology and Technology
Tests were conducted on a well-sealed, 100 tonne capacity bin to compare the use of two different modified atmospheres: carbon dioxide, and the exhaust gas produced by propane combustion. Both treatments were effective in killing grain pests. For both gases the efficiency of purge increased with flow rate over the range tested, and atmosphere maintenance was accomplished more efficiently by adding gas to the head-space rather than the hopper bottom. The advantage of head-space maintenance was greater for burner gas (< 1% oxygen) than for 60% carbon dioxide in air. Costs for modified atmosphere treatment of the experimental bin were up to 10 times greater for carbon dioxide than for burner gas.
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1991, Journal of Stored Products Research
The mortality of 2–24 hr old Cydia pomonella (L.) eggs treated with oxygen (O₂) deficient or carbon dioxide (CO₂) enriched atmospheres is exposure time dependent. At 25°C and 95% r.h., O₂ concentrations of 0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 5% (in nitrogen) produced LT₉₅s of 1.2, 1.7, 1.6, 1.7, and 24.4 days, respectively. Pure nitrogen was significantly more effective than the other O₂ deficient atmospheres. Carbon dioxide concentrations of 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100% (in air) produced LT₉₅s of 3.6, 1.3, 1.4, 1.6, and 1.4 days, respectively. Only 20% CO₂ induced significantly less mortality than the higher concentrations. Regression parameters for each atmosphere are given. Combining O₂ deficient with CO₂ enriched atmospheres did not increase C. pomonella egg mortality over that of the atmospheres used alone.
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Progress in the use of controlled atmospheres in actual field situations in the united states
1984, Developments in Agricultural Engineering
Field research on the use of carbon dioxide (CO₂) for stored product insect control in the United States in the last 3 years is described. Minor efforts were made in sealing the storage structures studied and in 7 tests in upright concrete silos or welded steel bins containing wheat, maize, rice or sorghum the amount of CO₂ used/1,000 metric tonnes (t) grain ranged from 3.1 to 4.5 t. However, treatment costs/t of grain ranged from 0.23 to 0.39 U.S. $ because of the availability and low costs associated with CO₂ marketing in this country.
Additional studies on the use of CO₂ in farm storage situations and in rail hopper cars containing flour are also described. The future of the use of CA in the U.S. is discussed.

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^☆: Mention of a commercial or proprietary product in this paper does not constitute an endorsement of this product by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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Carbon dioxide for control of an insect infestation in stored corn (maize)☆

Abstract

J. stored Prod. Res.