Record Details

Heat treatment beats chemicals

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Title Heat treatment beats chemicals
 
Creator Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation
 
Description In view of the gradual global banning of chemicals used in pest control in packaging fruit, the Cook Islands have trialled and adopted a viable alternative in heat treatment which meets quarantine requirements for their exports of papaya. In a good year, the country produces, besides for domestic consumption, 258 tonnes, worth US$ 322,000, for export mainly to New Zealand. Previously ethylene dibromide (EDB) was used to control fruit flies (Bactrocera melanotus and B. xanthodes), the quarantine pests which require control in papaya. Since 1994 however, New Zealand has banned imports of produce treated with this fumigant. The Cook Islands therefore adopted a high-temperature forced-air (HTFA) treatment, comprising basically a treatment of 47.2%C for 20 minutes in sealed chambers.

There is one heat treatment facility in the Cook Islands, with a capacity to treat 1,600 tonnes of fruit annually. Heat-treated mangoes have been exported and there are plans to expand exports to other produce, including aubergines (eggplants).

If carried out properly, the treatment even enhances the market quality of fruit. It produces an even colour on the fruit, and slows down the rate of internal ripening. This helps to extend fruit shelf-life and the fruit flesh does not develop the bitterness which is characteristic of fruit treated with EDB. The treatment can also be adapted for controlling temperate pests in avocadoes, litchis, bell peppers, nectarines and apricots.



[caption to illustration]

Too hot for comfort



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In view of the gradual global banning of chemicals used in pest control in packaging fruit, the Cook Islands have trialled and adopted a viable alternative in heat treatment which meets quarantine requirements for their exports of papaya. In a good...
 
Date 2014-10-16T09:05:49Z
2014-10-16T09:05:49Z
2001
 
Type News Item
 
Identifier CTA. 2001. Heat treatment beats chemicals. Spore 92. CTA, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
1011-0054
https://hdl.handle.net/10568/46125
 
Language en
 
Relation Spore;92
 
Publisher CTA
 
Source Spore