Design and efficacy evaluation of a modern automated controlled atmosphere system for pest management in stored dates

The use of high-pressure carbon dioxide and heating applications has been more popular against stored product insect pests recently. We designed and constructed a modern automated controlled atmosphere system based on carbon dioxide under different pressures and temperature regimes for the management of the red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum) (RFB) and saw-toothed grain beetle (Oryzaephilus surinamensis) (SGB) infesting stored dates (cv. Sagai). The findings of this study showed that the minimum exposure time that killed 100% of all developmental stages of the two beetles was 30 min at a pressure of 300 kPa and a temperature of 45 °C. This combination was optimal in the consumption of electrical energy and carbon dioxide. Based on the lethal time that killed 50% (LT50) and 95% (LT95) of the test insect population, RFB showed more susceptibility to the treatment than SGB. The optimal combinations of carbon dioxide concentration, pressure, and temperature at minimum exposure time that killed 100% of the test insects have no significant detrimental effects on the essential characteristics related to date quality. The designed prototype of the controlled atmosphere system, based on the pressure of carbon dioxide and heat, proved to be effective against the two target insects in stored dates. The findings encourage further studies for testing and evaluating the system under field conditions at a larger scale. •We designed and validated a controlled atmosphere system against stored date pests.•A pressure of 300 kPa and temperature of 45 °C for 30 min, caused 100% beetle mortality.•Combination of CO2 partial pressure and temperature proved effective against insects.•The delay time to raise the internal temperature of date fruit from 22 °C to 45 °C was 75 min.•The designed controlled atmosphere system has no negative effect on fruit quality.