The Fifth Conference “ Nuclear Science and Its Application”, 14-17 October 2008
IRRADIATION FOR POSTHARVEST CONTROL OF QUARANTINE
INSECTS
B. OZYARDIMCI
Sarayköy Nuclear Research and Training Center, Food Section
The goal o f irradiation as a phytosanitary treatment is to provide quarantine security for any regulated pests residing in or on the exported commodity. This is most often accomplished by preventing development to the reproductive stage or sterilizing the reproductive stage o f the insect. Irradiation as a post-harvest treatment for horticultural products also benefits the environment - it provides a safer alternative to methyl bromide, which the large majority of countries have agreed to phase out by 2010 due to its harmful impact on the ozone layer.