Immediate and delayed mortality of Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.) exposed on wheat treated with diatomaceous earth: effects of temperature, relative humidity, and exposure interval

Adult Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.), the sawtoothed grain beetle, were exposed for 4-72 h on wheat treated with diatomaceous earth (Protect-It(TM)), then removed and held for 1 week on untreated wheat. Beetles were exposed and held at 22, 27, and 32 degrees C, 40, 57, and 75% r.h. (nine combinations). Mortality after the initial exposures increased as exposure interval and temperature increased, but humidity effects were inconsistent with temperature. Mortality after the one-week holding period was greater than initial mortality, and also increased as the original exposure interval and the temperature increased. At 22 and 27 degrees C, mortality of beetles exposed from 4 to 24 h at 75% r.h. was significantly lower than mortality of beetles exposed for the same time intervals at 40 and 57% r.h. Nearly all of the beetles exposed for 72 h at all three relative humidities were dead after 1 week. The relationship between exposure interval and mortality was described by sigmoidal and linear regression for both the initial mortality and mortality 1 week after being transferred to untreated wheat. Results indicate that O. surinamensis is susceptible to the Protect-It(TM) formulation of diatomaceous earth, and will continue to suffer from the effects of exposure even after they are removed from the treated environment.     

A wild strain of Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) from farm-stored maize in South Carolina: Effect of temperature on mating, survival, and fecundity

The purpose of this study was to develop age-specific survivorship and fecundity schedules for adult Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) relevant to maize storages, with special reference to the southeastern states (USA). Laboratory cultures were established with moths collected from farm-stored maize in South Carolina and maintained on cracked maize at 30 °C and 60% r.h. Age-specific schedules of survivorship and fecundity, the length of the oviposition period, mating success, and mating frequency were determined at 20, 25, 30, and 35 °C and about 75% r.h. The maximum oviposition period was longest (18 d) at 20 and 25 °C, and shortest (8 d) at 35 °C. The optimum temperatures for reproduction (mating frequency and fecundity) were 25–30 °C, but mean life-span was longest (13.2 d) at 20 °C and declined linearly with increasing temperature. Mean total (lifetime) fecundity ranged from 16.9 eggs at 35 °C to 227.7 eggs at 25 °C.     

Insecticidal efficacy of diatomaceous earth against Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Tribolium confusum du Val (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) on stored wheat: influence of dose rate, temperature and exposure interval

Laboratory experiments were conducted in order to assess the insecticidal effect of a diatomaceous earth formulation (Silicosec^®, Biofa GmbH, Germany) against Sitophilus oryzae and Tribolium confusum on stored wheat. Adults of the two species were exposed on wheat treated with diatomaceous earth at four dose rates: 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 1.5 g/kg of wheat, respectively. For each dose rate, the treated wheat was placed at 22°C, 25°C, 27°C, 30°C and 32°C. Dead adults were counted after 24 and 48 h, 7 and 14 d of exposure. After the 14-d interval, the live adults were removed and placed for 7 d in untreated wheat (in the case of S. oryzae) or untreated flour (in the case of T. confusum), and the production of F₁ was recorded. For both species, dose rate, temperature and exposure interval significantly affected mortality (P<0.001). Mortality was higher at longer exposure intervals. The efficacy of SilicoSec against S. oryzae increased with temperature, but for T. confusum mortality was lower at 32°C, compared to 30°C, for 24 and 48 h exposure intervals. Tribolium confusum proved less susceptible to SilicoSec than S. oryzae. In general, the rates of 1 and 1.5 g/kg of wheat provided a satisfactory level of protection against the two species examined. For S. oryzae, F₁ emerged only at 22°C, in wheat treated with 0.25 or 0.5 g/kg. However, for T. confusum, F₁ were recorded at 22°C for 0.5 g/kg and at 22°C, 25°C, 27°C and 30°C for 0.25 g/kg.     

Persistence and activity towards Sitophilus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) of pirimiphos-methyl sprayed at different temperatures on maize

The air temperature in storage units in tropical areas frequently exceeds 50°C during the warmest periods of the day. Since protectant insecticides are sprayed on grains under these conditions, such high temperatures may interfere with the insecticidal activity. To assess this possibility we sprayed maize grains with pirimiphos-methyl 500 EC (0.8 ml c.p./l and 1.5 l/t) at different temperatures (25°C, 30°C, 35°C, 40°C, 45°C, and 50°C) and 55% r.h. The grains were then maintained at 27±1°C and 55±5% r.h. throughout the experiment which lasted 90 days. Residues of pirimiphos-methyl on the sprayed grains were analyzed every 30 days. Grain samples were assessed every 15 days after the insecticide spraying for their effect on the maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Insect mortality was evaluated after 24 and 48 h of exposure to the treated grain. The level of pirimiphos-methyl residue on maize grains decreased with an increase in storage period and air temperature during the insecticide spraying (varying from 11.0±0.1 to 1.1±0.1 ppm, corresponding to the residue levels at 25°C on the day of the spraying and after spraying at 50°C and 90 days of storage). The same trend was observed for mortality of the maize weevil, which dropped from 95.4±13.3% to 2.5±2.5% after 90 days storage after insecticide spraying at 50°C. These results indicate that temperature at spraying can affect insecticide persistence and activity during storage.     

A wild strain of Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) from farm-stored maize in South Carolina: Development under different temperature, moisture, and dietary conditions

The purpose of this study was to determine the duration of immature development and survivorship of Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) on maize over a range of temperatures and grain moisture contents encountered in maize stored on farms in the southeastern states (USA). Laboratory cultures were established with moths collected from farm-stored maize in South Carolina and maintained on cracked maize at 30 °C and 60% r.h. The incubation period and percentage hatch of eggs was determined at 18 combinations of temperature and r.h. Hatch was <1% at 15 and 40 °C. In the range 20-35 °C, percentage hatch declined as temperature increased, and the mean incubation period ranged from 3.1 to 8.5 d. Neither percentage hatch nor incubation period were affected by r.h. between 43% and 76%. The relationship between mean developmental period (oviposition to adult eclosion) and temperature was well described by a quadratic polynomial that predicted a decline from 67.6 to 30.1 d as temperature increased from 20 to 31.1 °C, followed by an increase to 38.5 d as temperature increased further to 35 °C. The results suggest a lower temperature threshold for development near 15 °C and an upper limit slightly greater than 35 °C. Moisture content had a significant effect on developmental period at all the temperatures studied, but the pattern of variation with moisture depended upon the temperature.     

Movement of adult rusty grain beetles, Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Cucujidae), in wheat in response to 5°C/m temperature gradients at cool temperatures

The direction and speed of movement of adult rusty grain beetles in 12 and 24 h at 2.5-27.5°C (standard error was ±0.2°C in all of the experiments) were determined in 100×100×1000 mm³ wheat (14.5±0.2% moisture content) columns with or without 5°C/m temperature gradients. At 5°C or less, adults could not move more than 5 cm in 24 h. At 7°C or less, 98% of adults could not move more than 5 cm in 24 h. Between 5°C and 27.5°C, the beetles preferred warmer areas and increasing temperature caused an increased number of insects to move towards the warmer areas both in vertical and horizontal columns. Insects moved faster in the vertical direction than in the horizontal direction and the maximum absolute speed of the beetles was <0.2 m/d at 7°C, 0.4 m/d at 10°C in the horizontal direction, 1 m/d at 10°C in the vertical direction and more than 1 m/d at 17.5°C or higher. When temperature at the top end of the vertical column was lower than that at the bottom, 98% of adults moved down; when temperature at the top end was higher than that at the bottom, 5% at 10°C, 7% at 15°C, 25% at 20°C, and 30% at 25°C moved up. The speed of the insect movement to the bottom was reduced by an opposing temperature gradient. The results of the factorial experiments showed that the speed and direction of insect movement were affected by temperature, temperature gradient, geotaxis, and the interaction between temperature gradient and geotaxis. Adults were more sensitive to geotaxis than to temperature gradient and the preference of geotaxis decreased with the increase of temperature.     

Occurrence of mycotoxins in maize,grass and wheat silage for dairy cattle in the Netherlands

The occurrence of mycotoxins in 140 maize silages, 120 grass silages and 30 wheat silages produced in the Netherlands between 2002 and 2004 was determined using a liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry detection (LC-MS/MS) multi-method. Deoxynivalenol (DON) was detected above the limit of quantification (LOQ) of 250 μg kg^?1 in 72% of maize and 10% of wheat silages. Average DON concentrations were 854 and 621 μg kg^?1, respectively, and maximum concentrations 3142 and 1165 μg kg^?1, respectively. Zearalenone was detected above the LOQ of 25 μg kg^?1 in 49% of maize and 6% of grass silages. Average zearalenone concentrations were 174 and 93 μg kg^?1, respectively, and maximum concentrations 943 and 308 μg kg^?1, respectively. The incidences and average concentrations of DON and zearalenone in maize silage were highest in 2004. The incidence of other mycotoxins was low: fumonisin B1 and 15-acetyl-DON were detected in 1.4 and 5% of maize silages, respectively, and roquefortin C in 0.8% of grass silages. None of the silages contained aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, T2-toxin, HT2-toxin, sterigmatocystin, diacetoxyscirpenol, fusarenon-X, ergotamine, penicillinic acid, or mycophenolic acid. This study demonstrates that maize silage is an important source of DON and zearalenone in the diet of dairy cattle. Since the carryover of these mycotoxins into milk is negligible, their occurrence in feed is not considered to be of significant concern with respect to the safety of dairy products for consumers. Potential implications for animal health are discussed.     

Determination of fusarium mycotoxins in wheat,maize and animal feed using on-line clean-up with high resolution mass spectrometry

An automated method involving on-line clean-up and analytical separation in a single run using TurboFlow? reversed phase liquid chromatography coupled to a high resolution mass spectrometer has been developed for the simultaneous determination of deoxynivalenol, T2 toxin, HT2 toxin, zearalenone and fumonisins B1 and B2 in maize, wheat and animal feed. Detection was performed in full scan mode at a resolution of R?=?100,000 full width at half maximum with high energy collision cell dissociation for the determination of fragment ions with a mass accuracy below 5?ppm. The extract from homogenised samples, after blending with a 0.1% aqueous mixture of 0.1% formic acid/acetonitrile (43:57) for 45?min, was injected directly onto the TurboFlow? (TLX) column for automated on-line clean-up followed by analytical separation and accurate mass detection. The TurboFlow? column enabled specific binding of target mycotoxins, whereas higher molecular weight compounds, like fats, proteins and other interferences with different chemical properties, were removed to waste. Single laboratory method validation was performed by spiking blank materials with mycotoxin standards. The recovery and repeatability was determined by spiking at three concentration levels (50, 100 and 200% of legislative limits) with six replicates. Average recovery, relative standard deviation and intermediate precision values were 71 to 120%, 1 to 19% and 4 to 19%, respectively. The method accuracy was confirmed with certified reference materials and participation in proficiency testing.     

The effects of temperature,concentration and exposure time to acetylene on initiation of banana ripening

The initiation of ripening of bananas by acetylene was studied with various concentrations and times of exposure at a range of temperatures. Ripening was associated with loss in firmness of the pulp, change in peel colour, and increases in total soluble solids content of the pulp. An interaction between the pulp temperature of bananas and their response to acetylene was demonstrated over a temperature range of 14 to 35°C in that the higher the temperature the shorter the exposure time, or the lower the concentration required. The period of exposure to acetylene was also shown to affect initiation of fruit ripening, with longer exposures up to 24 h requiring less gas or a lower temperature to initiate ripening. Fruit exposed to acetylene gas at the lower temperatures (14 to 16°C) were shown to ripen normally with respect to pulp soluble solids and pulp rupture force, although the co-ordination of the degreening response was lost in some fruit exposed to acetylene for 72 h. The temperature at which bananas were initiated to ripen did not affect their flavour.     

Cooking oils and “Triplex” in the control of Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in farm-stored maize

The uses of some cooking oils viz., noug oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, corn oil and olive oil, and the reputedly non-toxic botanical “Triplex”, were evaluated against maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais, in stored maize grain under local Ethiopian storage conditions in 2003. For comparison, an untreated sample and the synthetic insecticides, malathion 5% dust and Actellic 2% dust, at the recommended rates of 0.05% (w/w) were included. All the cooking oils tested had a significant toxic effect on the weevils in stored grains. The oil treatments showed significantly higher mortality of adult weevils at each sampling period compared with the untreated grains. The cooking oil treatments also significantly reduced weight loss and grain damage as compared with the untreated control. The Triplex treatment was of comparable effectiveness to the synthetic insecticides, causing high mortality of adult weevils, low-percentage grain damage and low-percentage weight losses. These promising oils and Triplex could be recommended for use as part of an integrated pest management program in stored maize, particularly at low levels of pest infestation and, in the case of cooking oils, for grain intended for home consumption.     

Insecticidal effect of three diatomaceous earth formulations, applied alone or in combination, against three stored-product beetle species on wheat and maize

Laboratory tests were carried out to examine the insecticidal effect of three commercially available diatomaceous earth (DE) formulations on wheat and maize against three major stored-grain beetle species: Rhyzopertha dominica, Sitophilus oryzae, and Tribolium confusum. The three DEs tested were Insecto^®, PyriSec^®, and Protect-It^®. These DEs were applied alone or in all possible combinations (Insecto^®+PyriSec^®, Insecto^®+Protect-It^®, PyriSec^®+Protect-It^®, and all three DEs together), at three (total) dose rates: 0.25, 0.5, and 0.75 g/kg of each commodity. Adults of the above species were exposed to the treated commodities for 7 d at 26 °C, and 65% r.h., and after this interval the mortality was measured. For each species, adult mortality was significantly affected by the type of DE, the commodity, and the dose rate. All DEs were less effective against T. confusum, where mortality did not exceed 67%, in comparison with the other two species, where 100% mortality was achieved in some combinations. For all species tested, all DEs were more effective on wheat than on maize. Generally, the mix of two or three DEs was more effective than the application of one DE, for all species and commodities. The results of the present work clearly indicate that a blending of several DEs together may produce a new DE formulation that is highly effective at low dose rates.     

普鲁兰酶加酶量对蜡质玉米抗性淀粉影响及性质研究

选用蜡质玉米淀粉为原料,高温糊化后采用普鲁兰酶脱支,产生短直链淀粉,重新结晶制备抗性淀粉。结果表明,8%(w/w)淀粉乳添加20 ASPU/g(基于淀粉干基重)普鲁兰酶在58℃反应24 h,然后在20℃凝沉24 h产生样品抗性淀粉含量最高,达到27.69%。理化性质研究表明,所有抗性淀粉样品颗粒形貌遭到破坏,形成不规则碎片;X-射线衍射图谱均有新的结晶结构出现,显示为B+V型;DSC分析结果显示,随抗性淀粉含量增加,不同样品峰值温度和糊化焓也增加。     

高温储藏条件下不同水分含量小麦品质变化研究

以开麦21为原料,对其进行鼓风干燥和调质处理,使其水分含量分别为12.5%,9.5%,7.7%和5.9%,在35℃下密封储藏,研究其储藏过程中生活力、电导率、过氧化氢酶活动度、湿面筋含量、干面筋含量和面筋吸水率的变化,探讨高温密闭储藏下小麦的水分含量与其储藏品质变化的规律。结果表明:35℃条件下,水分含量高的小麦其生活力、过氧化氢酶活动度、湿面筋含量和面筋吸水率降幅大;水分含量为7.7%的小麦电导率增幅最小。     

Insecticidal and residual effect of three pyrethroids against Sitophilus oryzae (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on stored wheat

Laboratory tests were conducted to assess the use of the pyrethroids, deltamethrin, beta-cyfluthrin and alpha-cypermethrin at the rates of 0.125 and 0.25 ppm, as grain protectants in stored wheat against the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.). For this purpose, clean untreated wheat was sprayed with these insecticides and stored for 6 months. During this period, four bioassays were carried out, in order to evaluate the residual efficacy of each pyrethroid. In each bioassay, treated wheat was infested with S. oryzae adults, and dead insects were counted after 1, 2 and 7 d of exposure. In addition, S. oryzae progeny production was estimated on each bioassay, until the production of the F₄ generation. The results indicated that deltamethrin and beta-cyfluthrin, both at 0.25 ppm, were significantly more efficient than the other treatments. Efficacy was notably higher after 7 d of exposure, than after 1 and 2 d. At the same exposure level, 1, 2 and 3.5 months after treatment, at 0.25 ppm, mortality for deltamethrin was approximately 89%, 92% and 86%, respectively, while the corresponding percentages for beta-cyfluthrin were 97%, 83% and 62%, and for alpha-cypermethrin 50%, 49% and 33%. However, at the rate of 0.125 ppm, mortality was ?58% in all cases. In all treatments appearance of F₁-F₄ generations was observed, with the exception of both deltamethrin and beta-cyfluthrin at 0.25 ppm, where only a few F₁ adults were noted, without the production of subsequent generations.     

Improvement in sprouted wheat flour functionality: effect of time,temperature and elicitation

This study was aimed at optimising conditions of wheat germination (temperature, time of sprouting and elicitation) to improve its phenolics content, antioxidative capacity and nutritional quality. Total phenolics and antioxidant potential were improved most effectively after 4 days of sprouting at 20 °C. The highest reducing ability and the ability to quench free radicals (1.24 mg Trolox equivalent (TE) g^?1 d.m. and 0.38 mg TE g ^?1 d.m., respectively) were determined for 4‐day‐old control and willow + yeast elicited sprouts germinated at 20 °C. The kinetics of starch and protein mobilisation were affected by sprouting conditions. The highest protein digestibility was found for 2‐day‐old sprouts germinated at 20 °C, whereas the lowest for 4‐day‐old sprouts germinated at 25 °C. Starch was more effectively mobilised during germination at 25 °C. Sprouting conditions were found to effectively modify the quality of sprouts. A key role was ascribed to time and temperature of sprouting, whereas the effect of elicitation was marginal.     

The effects of sorbates on the ensilage of chopped whole-plant maize and lucerne

The incorporation of (a) sorbic acid (0.18 and 0.90 g kg^?1, fresh weight basis) and potassium sorbate (0.90 g kg^?1) with chopped lucerne, and (b) sorbic acid (0.90 g kg^?1) and potassium sorbate (0.90 g kg^?1) with chopped maize (whole-plant) at the time of ensiling, led to a reduction in the surface spoilage associated with the ensilage of these two forages. Use of sorbic acid (0.90 g kg^?1) and potassium sorbate (0.90 g kg^?1) led to (a) a reduction of volatile nitrogen (VN), higher levels of residual water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) in lucerne silage and more aerobically stable lucerne silage and (b) a reduction in weight loss, population of yeasts and moulds, and VN, higher levels of WSC in maize silage and more aerobically stable maize silage when compared to the untreated forages or forages treated with sorbic acid and potssium sorbate at 0.045 and 0.18 g kg^?1 (fresh weight basis), respectively.     

Separation of bread wheat flours into starch and gluten fractions: effect of water temperature alone or in combination with water to flour ratio

Two different commercial bread wheat flours (BF‐I, 65% extraction and BF‐V, 86% extraction) were separated into gluten and starch milk by making a dough, allowing some time for maturation, dispersing the dough in water and wet sieving/washing. The effect of using of warm water (20–45 °C) for dough making and washing on separation was studied for BF‐I flour at 640 g kg^?1 water to flour ratio of and 300 s maturation time, and the separation was found to improve with increase in temperature. The combined effects of water temperature (20–50 °C) and water to flour ratio (640–780 g kg^?1 for BF‐I and 620–870 g kg^?1 for BF‐V) were studied at 600 s maturation time. The quantities and dry matter contents of the gluten fraction and starch milk were measured; a sample of starch milk was centrifuged to obtain decantate, tailing and prime starch fractions, and the dry matter contents of each were determined. All the dried samples were also analysed for protein content, and the fractional recoveries of dry matter and protein in the gluten fraction, prime starch, tailings and decantate were calculated. The results indicated the optimum point for BF‐I flour to be the combination of optimum farinograph water absorption and 40 °C. BF‐V showed very poor separation behaviour within the ranges studied. At the optimum farinograph water absorption the use of warm water for dough making and 20 °C water for washing steps was also tried, but no significant improvement over the 20 °C results was obtained. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

木聚糖酶处理麦草浆纤维形态变化的研究

用扫描电镜观察木聚糖酶处理过的麦草浆的纤维表面形态,发现木聚糖酶处理可以使麦草浆纤维表面的结构发生变化。结果表明：未经木聚糖酶处理的麦草浆纤维硬挺,表面结构较为光滑。随着酶用量的增加,纤维表面越来越粗糙,皱褶和裂隙也越来越多,纤维表面剥落现象进一步加强。当酶用量增加至15U/g时,麦草浆纤维的表面剥落现象非常严重,出现局部裂隙现象直至大面积沟槽结构。还发现木聚糖酶预处理和后处理漂白浆的白度均明显高于未经处理的,而且物理强度较好。     

Effect of defatted maize germ flour addition on the physical and sensory quality of wheat bread

Maize (Zea mays L.) processing produces large quantities of defatted maize germ (DMG) that is being used mainly for animal feed. The objective of this study was to exploit use of this nutrient-rich by-product in bread by replacing wheat flour at 5-20 g/100 g levels. Breads prepared with wheat-DMG flour blends were analyzed for loaf volume, density, instrumental dough hardness and bread firmness, Hunter color (“L”, “a”, “b”, chroma, and hue angle), and selected sensory attributes. Loaf volumes decreased significantly, from 318.8 ml to 216.3 ml, as the DMG flour supplementation was increased from 0 to 20 g/100 g; a similar effect was observed for bread specific volume. Increase in dough hardness (7.56-71.32 N) was directly related to increase in DMG flour levels. Instrumental firmness values were significantly higher for breads containing DMG flours, 61.58 N in 20 g/100 g DMG bread versus 32.84 N for the control bread, made with wheat flour only. The control bread was lighter in color, as shown by higher “L” values, than those having DMG flour, with chroma and hue angle values significantly higher in treatment breads. In general, no differences were observed for the sensory attributes of crumb color, cells uniformity, aroma, firmness, mouthfeel, and off-flavor in breads with up to 15 g/100 g DMG flour, while the overall acceptability scores showed a mixed pattern. The results of this study demonstrated that acceptable quality bread could be made with DMG flour addition at ≤15 g/100 g.     

The effects of temperature on flight initiation in a range of moths, beetles and parasitoids associated with stored products

The effects of temperature on flight initiation in a range of stored-product pests and their parasitoids have been studied in laboratory flight chambers. Tests were conducted between 10 and 32.5 °C at intervals of 2.5 °C. The minimum temperatures for flight initiation in the stored-product moths Ephestia kuehniella, E. elutella and Plodia interpunctella were in the range 12.5-15 °C. For the stored-grain beetles, minimum temperatures for flight initiation varied from 17.5 °C for Ahasverus advena and Typhaea stercorea, 20 °C for Rhyzopertha dominica, 25 °C for Tribolium castaneum, to 27.5 °C for Sitophilus oryzae. The minimum temperature for flight initiation in the hymenopteran parasitoids, Anisopteromalus calandrae and Lariophagus distinguendus, was 17.5 °C. Flight is discussed as a factor in sustainable pest management strategies for storage insects; its importance in the spread of infestation and the likely success of physical and biological control methods is highlighted.