Microwave technology for disinfestation of cereals and pulses: An overview

Contamination of stored grain with insects, insect fragments, fungi, and mycotoxins is a major concern of the grain industry. The stored-grain insects affect the grains not only quantitatively but also qualitatively. Disinfestation of grains can be achieved by physical, chemical and thermal methods. Microwaves may be an alternate to chemical methods of killing insects in grain as their application do not leave any undesirable residues and thus might be very effective for controlling insect infestation compared to other available methods. Microwave disinfestation can provide a continuous process to allow large quantities of products to pass in a shorter period of time. Microwave disinfestation is considered safe and competitive alternative method to fumigation as it avoids environmental pollution. The aim of this review is to examine how the use of microwave treatment benefits grain producers, handlers, and processors seeking to use non-chemical methods for preventing and controlling insect infestation and fungal growth during storage.