International Journal on Advanced Science, Engineering and Information Technology, Vol. 11 (2021) No. 6, pages: 2189-2196, DOI:10.18517/ijaseit.11.6.14691

Evaluating the Potential of Liquid Smoke in Protecting Cocoa Beans against Storage Pest

Abstract

Insect attack of produce in storage is a major challenge in postharvest handling and contributes to food waste and loss. Attempts to use synthetic chemicals to control this have generated other health and environmental problems. This study aimed to investigate the potential of pyrolyzed cocoa pod husk as a biopesticide (liquid Smoke (LS)) to protect cocoa beans against storage pests.  The study was set up in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with five treatments (10%; 20%; 50%; 100 % concentrations of LS and 0 %as control). These were applied to the outer surface of mini jute sacks containing cocoa beans.  A GCMS analysis of the LS detected 20 compounds. A repellence test of LS showed a very strong repellence effect, repelling almost 90% of the insect population. The feeding deterrence index also caused a reduction in bean damage from 22% in control to 7.65% for 100% LS-treated beans. Weight loss was reduced from 2.13% in control to 0.11 % in the sample treated with 100% LS. The LS treatment did not cause any significant change in the FFA and pH content of the beans. The organoleptic test also proved that LS treatment did not cause any substantial change in the flavor and overall taste and aroma acceptability. Therefore, the liquid smoke can be used for protecting cocoa beans by spraying on the outer part of jute sacks containing beans.

Keywords:

Cocoa beans; pyrolysis; liquid smoke; postharvest; storage pest; Corcyra cephalonica.

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