Background:
Insects are getting resistant to chemical fumigation, and chemical fumigation leaves residue on the product, which has adverse health implications. Hence ozone, which is a highly oxidizing agent can be used for eliminating primary pests of pulse bruchids in chickpeas. Since ozone is highly unstable and can convert back into oxygen leaves no chemical residue in the grain. This will solve the chemical residue problem as well.:
Technology Details:
Since insects are getting resistant to chemicals, as an alternative to chemical fumigation highly oxidizing agent ozone can eliminate the insects of all stages, as ozone will react with the cell components of the insects. The half-life of ozone is limited to a few minutes, hence for effective ozone fumigation with a particular dose and specific time, the ozone treatment chamber has to be properly designed. Besides, ozone is highly reactive it can react with the containers. Considering these requirements, a specially designed SS304-grade steel fumigation structure was developed for uniform ozone distribution in the chickpeas. The placement of ozone inlets ensures uniform and effective ozone fumigation, that can be scaled up. The structure is provided with an ozone sensor placed at different places and the ozone distribution data can be easily monitored. Since ozone is also detrimental to human health a specific dose was to be applied. The grains need to be fumigated periodically with a specified dose of ozone for a specific period. The process can eliminate the insects in chickpeas effectively without hampering the operators’ health.