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Detection of Insect Infestation in Stored Foods

Article  in  Advances in Food and Nutrition Research · February 2005

DOI: 10.1016/S1043-4526(05)49005-1 · Source: PubMed

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Somiahnadar Rajendran
UPL Limited Mumbai
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 Detection of Insect Infestation in
Stored Food Commodities
S. RAJENDRAN

Detection of insect infestation in food commodities and in their storage premises is essential to ensure that
1) the food offered is wholesome and acceptable for consumption, 2) for regulatory compliance, 3) for diagnosis of
incipient infestation and 4) to ascertain the success of the control measures using fumigants. Current methods detect
whole insects or, insect fragments directly or, indirectly by estimating the myosin content, CO2 release and uric acid
level in the commodities. The choice depends on the i) sensitivity required. Ii) facilities available and ill) time factor.
Detection of insect eggs and larvae in internal infestation is a major challenge even now. In view 'of its simplicity,
the sampling and sieving method has been widely used. though it is not sensitive. when the infestation level is less
than 5 insects/kg of foodgrains. ELISA test. which Is expected to playa major role in food sanitation and quality
assurance. has been elaborately investigated for multiple and species-specific detection in different types of foodstuffs.
In X-ray based grain analysis. an automated machine recognition system has been introduced ior interpretation of
radiographs to replace the expert. For in situ detection and monitoring of insect infestation in storage and food processing
facilities. physical traps either alone or in combination with pheromones or food attractants have been used. Major
breakthrough has been achieved in monitoring. that the insects are counted as they drop into the probe trap. Infra-
red beam and piezoelectric sensors have been installed in probe traps to facilitate taking insect census during trapping
and monitoring. Automation in acoustic method has been introduced for use in farm bins. silos and grain elevators
to detect and monitor three predominant grain pests such as Sitophilus oryzae. Rhyzopertha dominica and TriboUwn
castanewn. Insect traps, utilizing either pheromones or food attractants or both have a significant role in pest location
and monitoring in food industry. foodgrain storage god owns and other storage facilities. Early pest detection using
pheromone or food baited traps has been less practised in the developing countries. The present review discusses
the various insect/infestation detection methods. their applicability and their relative merits.
Keywords: Stored food commodities, Insect pests. Infestation, Detection methods.
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