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Procedures of Laboratory Fumigation for Pest Control with Nitric Oxide Gas
Published on: November 24, 2017
Nitric Oxide Fumigation for Control of Ham Mite, Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Sarcoptiformes: Acaridae)
Xiangbing Yang1, Yong-Biao Liu2, Rippy Singh2
1USDA-ARS, Subtropical Horticultural Research Station, Miami, FL, USA.
Abstract:
The ham mite, Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank) (Sarcoptiformes: Acaridae), is a common pest infesting several stored products, particularly the aged hams. In this study, we reported the efficacy of nitric oxide (NO) fumigation, a recently discovered fumigation treatment under the ultra-low oxygen environment, at various concentrations and time under the laboratory conditions at 25°C against different mite stages on both dietary media and ham meat. Our results showed that NO fumigation was effective against all mite stages and 100% control was achieved. Generally, the egg was the most tolerant stage and required 48-, 24-, 16-, and 8-h treatments to achieve 100% mortality at 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2% NO concentration on dietary media, respectively. Tyrophagus putrescentiae mobile immatures and adult stages were less tolerant, and 100% mortality was achieved after 16-, 8-, 8-, and 4-h treatment at 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2% NO, respectively. The median lethal concentration (LC50) of NO on egg was 0.86, 0.68, and 0.32% for 8-, 16-, and 24-h treatments. In addition, a confirmatory test was conducted on ham meat at 0.5 and 1.0% of NO and similar efficacy was found. Complete control of egg was achieved after 48- and 24-h treatment at 0.5 and 1.0% of NO, respectively, and larvae and adult mites were 100% controlled after 16 and 8 h at 0.5 and 1.0% of NO, respectively. Our results demonstrated that NO fumigation was effective against T. putrescentiae and can be a potential alternative treatment to methyl bromide for cured-ham pest control.
Insights
Nitric oxide (NO) fumigation effectively controls the ham mite, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, across all life stages. This novel ultra-low oxygen treatment shows promise as a methyl bromide alternative for stored product pest control.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Entomology
- Food Science
- Pest Management
Background:
- The ham mite, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, is a significant pest of stored products, especially aged hams.
- Current pest control methods may have limitations or environmental concerns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of nitric oxide (NO) fumigation against different life stages of Tyrophagus putrescentiae.
- To determine optimal NO concentrations and treatment durations for effective mite control on dietary media and ham meat.
Main Methods:
- Laboratory experiments were conducted at 25°C using various nitric oxide (NO) concentrations and exposure times.
- Efficacy was assessed against eggs, larvae, and adults of T. putrescentiae on both artificial dietary media and ham meat.
- Confirmatory tests were performed on ham meat to validate findings.
Main Results:
- Nitric oxide (NO) fumigation demonstrated high efficacy, achieving 100% mortality across all mite stages.
- Eggs were the most tolerant stage, requiring longer exposure times (e.g., 48 hours at 0.5% NO) for complete control.
- Mobile immatures and adults were less tolerant, with 100% mortality achieved in shorter durations (e.g., 16 hours at 0.5% NO).
Conclusions:
- Nitric oxide (NO) fumigation is a highly effective method for controlling the ham mite, Tyrophagus putrescentiae.
- NO fumigation presents a viable, potentially safer alternative to methyl bromide for pest control in cured ham production.
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