Reduced Doses of Diatomaceous Earth and Basil Essential Oil on Stored Grain Against the Wheat-Damaging Sitophilus oryzae: Influence on Bread Quality and Sensory Profile.

ABSTRACT: Stored grain pests like Sitophilus oryzae pose significant challenges to food security and quality, necessitating eco-friendly pest management strategies. This study investigates the combined efficacy of reduced doses of diatomaceous earth (DE) and basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) essential oil (EO) as an alternative to conventional pesticides. Laboratory trials evaluated the effectiveness of the treatments-DE, EO, and a mixture of both (at halved doses)-against S. oryzae in wheat, alongside their impact on bread quality and sensory attributes. Results showed that DE and the DE + EO at halved doses combination achieved over 82% pest mortality, comparable to standard DE doses but with reduced mechanical and environmental drawbacks. EO alone demonstrated limited insecticidal

SUBMITTER: Bianchi A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11854187 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature