Cold-Chain Compatible Ethyl Formate Fumigation for Phytosanitary Disinfestation of Drosophila suzukii in Blueberries

Changyao Shan; Li Li; Hang Zou; Ronghua Chen; Baishu Li; Tao Liu

doi:10.3390/insects17060580

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Cold-Chain Compatible Ethyl Formate Fumigation for Phytosanitary Disinfestation of Drosophila suzukii in Blueberries

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Cold-Chain Compatible Ethyl Formate Fumigation for Phytosanitary Disinfestation of Drosophila suzukii in Blueberries

Changyao Shan, Li Li, Hang Zou, Ronghua Chen, Baishu Li and Tao Liu

Insects (Basel, Switzerland), Vol.17(6), 580

2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/insects17060580

PMID: 42355313

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Abstract

blueberry quality

cold-chain processing

Drosophila suzukii

methyl bromide alternative

postharvest treatment

Ethyl formate (EF) is a promising alternative to methyl bromide for postharvest disinfestation, but berry export chains require efficacy under refrigerated handling without loss of marketable quality. Using spotted-wing drosophila (Drosophila suzukii) in blueberries as a cold-chain model, we compared stage-specific tolerance at 5 to 15 °C and identified 1-day-old eggs as the most tolerant stage, with mortality strongly temperature dependent. Egg-stage concentration to mortality relationships were quantified under 4 h exposures at 5, 10, and 15 °C to nominate temperature-specific intensities within EF flammability safety limits. Candidate schedules (69, 83, and 94 mg·L−1 for 4 h at 5, 10, and 15 °C) were confirmed by verification-scale zero-survivor tests under simulated cold-chain conditions, achieving complete control of the most tolerant egg stage. Post-treatment quality was assessed after 1, 7, and 14 days of cold storage. Weight loss, firmness, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, sucrose, and proanthocyanidins were driven mainly by storage time and temperature. EF effects were limited to transiently elevated respiration early in storage, with no detectable injury, decay, or adverse changes in appearance or other physicochemical attributes. Overall, EF provides a cold-chain compatible processing window integrating efficacy, operational safety, and quality preservation for refrigerated blueberry export logistics.

Details

Title: Cold-Chain Compatible Ethyl Formate Fumigation for Phytosanitary Disinfestation of Drosophila suzukii in Blueberries
Authors/Creators: Changyao Shan - Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine
Li Li - Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine
Hang Zou - Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine
Ronghua Chen - Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine
Baishu Li - Chinese Academy of Inspection and Quarantine
Tao Liu - Plant (United States)
Publication Details: Insects (Basel, Switzerland), Vol.17(6), 580
Publisher: MDPI
Grant note: 2025JK041 / Chinese Academy of Quality and Inspection & Testing National Key Research and Development Program of China (http://data.elsevier.com/vocabulary/SciValFunders/501100012166) 2023YFE0207400 / National Key Research and Development Program of China (http://data.elsevier.com/vocabulary/SciValFunders/501100012166)
Identifiers: 991005903578407891
Murdoch Affiliation: Harry Butler Institute
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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#12 Responsible Consumption & Production

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