Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
This is an integrated project. Kaliramesh Siliveru from Kansas State University will lead the project as project director; Bhadriraju Subramanyam and Logan Britton from Kansas State University and Luis Sabillon-Galeas from New Mexico State University are three project co-directors. The use of methyl bromide (MB) in pulse fumigation has drawbacks due to environmental regulations and adverse effects on seed germination. The project aims to address the drawbacks of MeBr fumigation in pulses by establishing cold plasma treatment, a nonthermal physical treatment, as MBalternative. The project focuses on achieving a disinfested and microbially safe product with an extended shelf-life using cutting-edge techniques.The project will employ hyperspectral imaging to detect bruchus infestation in pulses. Concurrently, the disinfestation efficacy of cold plasma treatment will be evaluated in chickpeas and cowpeas infested with Callasobruchus maculatus and Callasobruchus chinensis. Further, the decontamination efficiency of cold plasma treatment in chickpeas and cowpeas will be evaluated against pathogens like Salmonella, Listeria, and STECs. Comparison with methyl bromide-fumigated pulses will be conducted with respect to disinfestation, microbial inactivation, and germination properties of seeds. Economic feasibility, energy efficiency, and costs of the disinfestation technology will be analyzed. Outreach activities, including hands-on training and workshops, will be organized to educate stakeholders and promote cold plasma treatment as a viable alternative to traditional MeBr in the pulse industry.Aligned with the Montreal Protocol and addressing MBphase-out, this integrated approach will promote cold plasma treatment as a viable alternative for pulse industry practices, emphasizing environmental sustainability and improved quality.
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
The phase-out of methyl bromide (MB) had an economic impact on the pulse industry. The proposed project encompasses an integrated approach to establish cold plasma treatment as an alternative to methyl bromide treatment for disinfestation and microbial safety in pulses. The sub-objectives are as follow:Hyperspectral Imaging for Detection of Insect Infestation. The primary objective is to develop a reliable hyperspectral imaging technique capable of accurately identifying and detecting insect infestation in pulses.Disinfestation by Cold Plasma Treatment: This objective will explore the potential of cold plasma treatment as the methyl bromide alternative (MBA) for disinfestation in pulses.Pathogen Decontamination by Cold Plasma Treatment: This objective will explore the potential of cold plasma treatment to obtain microbial safety in pulses.Shelf-life Assessments and Storage Stability: The project aims to conduct comprehensive shelf-life studies to assess the storage stability of optimally treated pulses under various storage conditions. Thus, it will identify and recommend the best storage conditions (temperature, humidity, packaging, etc.) to extend the shelf life of the cold plasma treated pulses.Process Economics: Further, the project aims to conduct an energy consumption and cost analysis of the proposed insect disinfestation and microbial decontamination methods. By assessing the financial implications, this study seeks to determine the feasibility of adopting the cold plasma technique as a nonthermal physical strategy for disinfestation and decontamination of pulses in industrial practices.Knowledge Dissemination to Stakeholders: The final objective is to share the scientific findings and outcomes of the project with relevant stakeholders through various means, including demonstrations, hands-on training programs, and publications, fostering greater awareness and adoption of the developed techniques within the food industry.
Project Methods
In objective 1, hyperspectral imaging (HSI) will be employed as a non-invasive method to detect infestation by Callosobruchus maculatus in chickpea and cowpea. Utilizing a sophisticated experimental setup featuring a thermoelectrically cooled InGaAs camera, liquid crystal tunable filters (LCTFs), and a controlled light source, the system operates within the NIR region (900-1700 nm). The image capture process will involve scanning kernels at various stages of Callosobruchus maculatus infestation, employing MATLAB for multivariate image analysis and feature extraction. A classification model, employing linear and quadratic discriminant analyses, will be developed and rigorously evaluated using a dataset of 2400 kernels. The expected outcomes will include the validation of HSI as a non-destructive tool and the development of an optimized algorithm integrating machine learning and chemometric techniques for precise C. maculatus detection and quantification in infested pulses.Objective 2 will explore the potential of cold plasma treatment as the methyl bromide alternative (MBA) for the disinfestation of pulses. The research will focus on assessing the efficacy of cold plasma treatment against pulse beetles (Callosobruchus maculatus and Callosobruchus chinensis) in cowpeas and chickpeas (Desi and Kabuli varieties). In a controlled environment at 30 °C and 60% RH, insect populations will be cultivated. Cold plasma treatment, utilizing a 2-factor mixed level full factorial design, will vary root mean square (rms) voltage (5-25 kV) and treatment time (1-20 min) for eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults. The treated pulses will undergo assessments seven days and six weeks post-fumigation. Kinetic modeling will involve logarithmic equations to determine mortality rates and sensitivity to voltage. The outcomes aim to recommend optimized cold plasma treatment conditions for disinfestation, identifying the life stage with the highest resistance and comparing results with methyl bromide fumigation.Objective 3 will focus on assessing the microbial safety of pulses through nonthermal cold plasma treatment. Cowpea and chickpea, chosen for their widespread consumption and economic importance, will undergo a 2-factor full factorial design with input voltage (5-25 kV) and treatment time (1-10 min). Pathogen counts of Salmonella spp., E. coli strains, and Listeria monocytogenes will be evaluated. Cold plasma treatment outcomes, analyzed with Weibull models, will assess survival data and sensitivity to voltage. Germination quality will be tested, comparing cold plasma-treated and methyl bromide-fumigated pulses. Mechanisms of inactivation will be explored through flow cytometry and electron microscopy. The study aims to reveal the impact of cold plasma treatment on pathogen decontamination efficacy, identify the most resistant pathogen, and recommend optimized treatment conditions for microbially safe pulses.Objective 4 aims to assess the shelf life of pulses treated optimally with nonthermal cold plasma under different storage conditions. Following the determination of optimal treatment conditions from Objectives 2 and 3, cowpeas and chickpeas will undergo storage at varied temperatures (25, 30, and 37 ºC) and humidity levels using diverse packaging materials. Responses will be insect count, microbial count, pathogen count, moisture content, water activity, color change, hardness, texture profile, density, usable proportion, 1000 grain mass, grain damage, and weight loss. Kinetic modeling will fit zero-order or first-order models to describe attribute changes during storage. Activation energy will be calculated, and shelf life will be determined based on critical attribute limits. Results will demonstrate the impact of cold plasma treatment on pulse storage stability and guide recommendations for optimal storage conditions and shelf life compared to methyl bromide treatment.Objective 5 aims to conduct a thorough techno-economic analysis of the cold plasma treatment process for pulses, evaluating its potential for industrial-scale implementation. The study will establish disinfestation and microbial safety criteria, including the LT99 for the target insect and a 5-log reduction target for pathogens. Key process parameters, such as voltage and treatment time, will be identified to optimize cold plasma treatment. The efficiency of the treatment process will be assessed, followed by a comprehensive cost analysis covering equipment, process implementation, and labor. The study will also quantify benefits and perform an economic sensitivity analysis. The input energy for cold plasma treatment will be calculated to estimate energy efficiency. The expected outcomes include a detailed cost comparison with traditional methyl bromide fumigation, providing valuable insights for industry decision-making and efficiency improvement.Objective 6 focuses on disseminating science-based information to stakeholders involved in pulse disinfestation. The project's findings will be shared through seminars, publications, and workshops, including major conferences like the IAOM Annual Technical Meeting and Trade Show. Scientific insights will be published in trade journals and peer-reviewed publications, such as World Grain and the Journal of Stored Product Research. Social media platforms, particularly YouTube, will be utilized for broader outreach. A Two-day Hands-on Training and Workshop at Kansas State University is planned, offering lectures and lab sessions on disinfestation methods. The workshop aims to engage industry stakeholders, researchers, regulators, and more, promoting the adoption of cold plasma treatment as a methyl bromide alternative. The outreach impact is expected to enhance skills, foster collaboration, influence policies, and drive positive change in pulse disinfestation practices.