| Popis: |
Insect pest control in stored agricultural produce has mainly been done by chemical fumigation in sub-Saharan Africa. The demand for human and environmentally safe foods has made this practice unacceptable, making the search for non-chemical alternatives a global research priority. The impact of radio frequency (RF) heat treatment was studied on the various developmental growth phases of Sitophilus oryzae in stored New Rice for Africa (NERICA). After exposure to 27.12 MHz RF at 50 °C for 3 min, only the egg stage recorded 100% mortality. The adult stage of the weevil was the most RF tolerant, but nonetheless, 100% mortality was achieved after exposure to 27.12 MHz RF at 55 °C for 4 min. For economic energy management, taking into consideration the economic strength of farmers, exposure to 27.12 MHz RF at 60°C for 3 min was the most energy-efficient, consuming as little as 0.462 KWh energy to completely kill S. oryzae. Analysis of the quality parameters of the rice after exposure to 27.12 MHz RF at 60°C for 3 min revealed no significant quality changes in moisture, protein, free fatty acid, and ash contents. The results have provided a vivid basis for the development and use of RF treatment as a nonchemical energy-efficient alternative for controlling S. oryzae in NERICA. RF control could be the needed technical post-harvest protection approach, considering its low labour involvement, minimum energy requirement, and cost-effectiveness, needed to propel Ghana and Sub-Saharan Africa to become competitive in the global rice industry. |
