Detection of insect infestation in stored food commodities

Detection of insect infestation in food commodities and in their storage premises is essential to ensure that 1) the food offered is wholesome and acceptable for consumption. 2) for regulatory compliance. 3) for diagnosis of incipient infestation and 4) to ascertain the success of the control measures using fumigants. Current methods detect whole insects or, insect fragments directly or, indirectly by estimating the myosin content. CO2 release and uric acid level in the commodities. The choice depends on the i) sensitivity required, ii) facilities available and iii) time factor. Detection of insect eggs and larvae in internal infestation is a major challenge even now. In view of its simplicity. the sampling and sieving method has been widely used, though it is not sensitive, when the infestation level is less than 5 insects/kg of foodgrains. ELISA test, which is expected to play a major role in food sanitation and quality assurance, has been elaborately investigated for multiple and species-specific detection in different types of foodstuffs. In X-ray based grain analysis, an automated machine recognition system has been introduced for interpretation of radiographs to replace the expert. For In situ detection and monitoring of insect infestation in storage and food processing facilities, physical traps either alone or in combination with pheromones or food attractants have been used. Major breakthrough has been achieved in monitoring, that the insects are counted as they drop into the probe trap. Infrared beam and piezoelectric sensors have been Installed in probe traps to facilitate taking insect census during trapping and monitoring. Automation in acoustic method has been introduced for use in farm bins, silos and grain elevators to detect and monitor three predominant grain pests such as Sitophilus oryzae. Rhyzopertha dominica and Tribolium castaneum Insect traps. utilizing either pheromones or food attractants or both have a significant role in pest location and monitoring in food industry, foodgrain storage godowns and other storage facilities. Early pest detection using pheromone or food baited traps has been less practised in the developing countries. The present review discusses the various insect/infestation detection methods, their applicability and their relative merits.