Changes in the nutritional composition of maize flour due to Tribolium castaneum infestation and application of carbon dioxide to manage this pest

Abstract

Maize flour was infested with fresh emerged Tribolium castaneum adults, and its nutritional composition was evaluated after 0, 45, and 90 days of the infestation. Furthermore, 99% carbon dioxide was applied to different developmental stages of T. castaneum for its management. There were six treatments and five replicates; for each replicate, maize flour (150 g) was taken in a 250-ml plastic jar container, insects were released in the flour, and jars were placed into the incubator at a temperature of 28 ± 1 °C, 60 ± 5% RH. Similarly, the application of 99% CO was done with four exposure times of 12, 24, 48, and 72 h, at 35 °C 65 ± 5% RH. Present results showed major fluctuations in the nutritive composition of maize flour. Increase in the moisture, fat, fiber, protein, and ash contents was directly proportional to the increase in infestation level and time, contrary to the depletion of carbohydrates and total weight loss. The results of CO treatment indicated that pupa was the most resilient stage as compared with larvae and adult stage. The observed susceptibility order was as follows: adult > larvae > pupae. The maximum mortality of adult, larval, and pupal stages was recorded after 24, 48, and 72 h of CO application, respectively. These findings might be helpful to develop an ecofriendly technique to manage this crucial pest.

Host preference of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) on six kinds of flour

“…This aligns with Kayode et al (2014), who stated that because ash content in millet flour is higher than in corn, wheat, and sorghum flour, millet flour is more susceptible to infestation by T. castaneum. Mehmood et al (2018) noted that they found higher ash content products that experience many pest infestation in storage. Bran flour, which contained the highest ash levels, experienced the worst pest infestation, whereas ash content is lowest in corn flour, which has little to no infestation.…”

Nitrogen-Based Modified Atmosphere Technique for Controlling Pulse Beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus (F) in Stored White Beans

“…For rapid kill of insects in stored products, the oxygen concentration should be less than three percent. The concentration below one percent oxygen has overturned effect for adult weevils in rice (Mehmood et al 2018). The modification of gases amounts by keeping oxygen gas at a specific concentration important for pest development may avoid the infestation of grains in the stored bin (Mehmood et al 2018;Wilkins et al, 2020).…”

“…The concentration below one percent oxygen has overturned effect for adult weevils in rice (Mehmood et al 2018). The modification of gases amounts by keeping oxygen gas at a specific concentration important for pest development may avoid the infestation of grains in the stored bin (Mehmood et al 2018;Wilkins et al, 2020). The managed atmospheric technique can cause hypoxia for insects by decreasing the oxygen rate (Cheng et al 2012;2013) and hypercapnia by increasing carbon dioxide (Li et al 2012).…”

Roles of the PTP61F Gene in Regulating Energy Metabolism of Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

“…The red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), is a worldwide pest of stored grains (Mehmood et al, 2018;Chen Q. W. et al, 2018). It has glands that secrete a liquid which causes a moldy smell in flour and this secretion also contains the carcinogen benzoquinone (Boateng and Obengofori, 2008).…”