Radio frequency heating against Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky in white maize
2020
Ramírez-Rojas, Nallely Zarahi | Cerón-García, Abel | Salas-Araiza, Manuel Darío | Estrada-García, Héctor Javier | Rojas-Laguna, Roberto | Sosa-Morales, Maria Elena
Radio frequency treatments were evaluated for the control of Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky in white maize, and their effects on physiological and biochemical properties were evaluated. A 12 kW, 27.12 MHz radio frequency machine was used with an electrode gap of 20 cm; batches of 10 and 20 kg of white maize (11.8% moisture content, w.b.) were treated. Radio frequency heating treatments at 50 °C for 3 min or 60 °C in white maize were effective to achieve 100% mortality of Sitophilus zeamais 4th instar larvae. Significant changes were observed in the moisture content, water activity and color in the corn kernels after the treatments (P < 0.05); however, they were within the range established by the Mexican Standard. As an advantage, the viability and germination of the grain were not affected by the treatments (P > 0.05). Radio frequency has potential to be a postharvest treatment against this pest without damage to white maize.
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