Packaging of Agricultural Products for Preventing of the Tobacco Beetles Contaminations

• Main Authors: Somaye ALLAHVAISI, Ali Asghar POURMIRZA, Mohammad Hasan SAFARALIZADE
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: AcademicPres 2009-11-01
• Series: Notulae Botanicae Horti Agrobotanici Cluj-Napoca
• Online Access: http://www.notulaebotanicae.ro/index.php/nbha/article/view/3249

The problems related to insect contaminations on food consumables have created discontents among consumers. Pest insects canpenetrate packaging by creating punctures and thereby get into food. Determining the most resistant packaging polymers against insectpenetration, from storage until consumption is the target of this study. We evaluate the barrier qualities of four polymers (polyethylene,polypropylene, polyvinylchloride and cellophane) for two thicknesses of 16.5 and 29 μm against Lasioderma serricorne F. adults andlarvae. These are the most important pest insects in tobacco, medicinal plants and flour storages. Each test had five replications. Means ofpenetration rates were compared by means of T-test and Duncan test (P≤0.05). Comparison of the means indicated a significant differencebetween insect penetrations. Cellophane with thickness of 16.5 μm had the most permeability to tested coleopteran insects as the foodsstored into these packagings were completely contaminated, while foods in polypropylene packagings with 29 μm thickness were safe.The tested polymers rank generally from the easiest to most difficult permeability, are cellophane, polyethylene, polyvinylchloride andpolypropylene, showing significantly that their thicknesses has a difference. Thus, research shows that the best packaging for the protectionof agricultural products is accomplished by polypropylene packages with 29 μm thickness.<br />