Post-harvest Damage Research Articles

Diversity analysis of mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] genotypes for bruchid resistance

Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] is one of the most important pulse crops in the tropical and sub-tropical areas. Although the total production of mungbean is not enough to supplement the nutritional requirement, an additional issue further augments the concern of its use: the post-harvest damage in the storage condition. Bruchids (Callosobruchus chinensis) are major polyphagous storage pest that causes substantial losses, both quantitatively and qualitatively. The objective of the current study was to classify the fifty-two mungbean genotypes into groups based on their bruchid resistant and susceptibility by using multivariate statistical analysis. Since the present study emphasizes the progressive breeding program, the multivariate analysis is expected to effectively demonstrate the diversity of bruchid attack and therefore identify and ensures the correct representation of the resistant genotypes. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) displays the correlation of bruchid morpho-physiological traits and the diversity analysis groups the considered genotypes into four clusters (I-IV). The cluster III contains seven genotypes which are observed most effective against bruchid attack. The PC1 shows 70.83% of variability where PC2 shows 29.17% of variability. PCA picturize the most positive correlation between the number of egg laid (NOEL-0.922) and percentage of seed damage (POSD-0.975) among all the morpho-physiological traits. The cluster III thus helps selecting resistant parents for hybridization in future crop improvement program.

Perception and Farmer Know-How on Conservation Techniques for Cereals and Pulses in the Far North of Cameroon

Introduction: The storage and preservation of agricultural products remain the only conditions ensuring the almost permanent availability of foodstuffs. However, infestations due to insects and microorganisms are very often noted.
 Objective: This present work aimed at understanding farmers' constraints, perceptions, and know-how on the post-harvest conservation of cereals and pulses.
 Place and Duration of Study: A survey was conducted from March 2017 to March 2018 among 320 producers in the Far North region (Cameroon).
 Methodology: The questionnaire consisted of closed and open questions which mainly related to the principal stored grains, the main constraints, and the usual means of control of stocks. The interview was conducted in a local language (Fulfulde), Arabic and/or French during 25 minutes for each participant. Insect stock photos were also presented to the participants for confirmation of the information given.
 Results: The results show that producers in our study area are aware of the post-harvest damage and adopt stock control techniques according to the nature of the products, the fate of the grain and the storage structure. The main food crops grown are sorghum (44.4%), cowpea (24.1%) and maize (15.60%). Six main types of storage structure; three methods of storing foodstuffs, five modes of packaging and, six usual methods of control were identified but store maintenance and warehouse monitoring (56.25%) was the most used. According to respondents, insects are the main causes of post-harvest losses. 11 species belonging to four orders were recorded.
 Conclusion: The producers in our study area are aware of the post-harvest damage and adopt stock control techniques according to the nature of the products, the fate of the grain and the storage structure. But this control would be more efficient if all producers had access to training on storage techniques, isothermal bags or the use of resistant varietal genotypes.

Drying characteristic of unhulled rice in biomass energy and combination rotary dryer

Drying of agricultural products aimed to extend the shelf life. The moisture content of the unhulled rice must be lowered to a limit of 14% to be able to maintain the quality and avoid post-harvest damage. Ciherang variety unhulled rice has been dried using biomass energy rotary dryer and biomass-heater combination for 180 minutes. In this study, several drying characteristics of unhulled rice have been analyzed including the determination of water content and the drying rate. The exponential equation illustrated the relationship between the unhulled rice water content (%) and the drying time (minutes), MC = 23.279 e−0.002t and MC = 27.255 e−0.004t respectively for the stage 1 decline drying rate in biomass energy and combination, while at the decline drying rate stage 2 found MC = 22.209 e−0.002t and MC = 27.576 e−0.004t respectively in biomass energy and combination. The relationship between unhulled rice drying rate (dM/dt) and drying time (minutes) was illustrated by the exponential equation v = 0.0466 e−0.002t and v = 0.109 e−0.004t respectively for the decline drying rate stage 1 in biomass energy and combination while at the decline drying rate stage 2, v = 0.0444 e−0.002t and v = 0.0775 e−0.003t respectively in biomass energy and combination.

The Quality of Tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill.) Stored on ZECC (Zero Energy Cool Chamber)

Post-harvest handling fruits and vegetables in Indonesia has not received enough attention. This can be seen from the post-harvest damage of 25-28%. ZECC (Zero Energy Cool Chamber) is one of the eco-friendly and low-cost post-harvest technologies that can be used to store fruit and vegetables. The aim of the study was, to know the quality of tomatoes stored in ZECC, cold temperature, and ambient temperature. Secondly, to determine time length storage of tomatoes using ZECC. Data processing used a quantitative descriptive method with three replicates. The chemical analysis result of tomato stored in ZECC was vitamin C content 39.95 mg / 100g, pH level 4.15, total acid 0.40, total soluble solids 5.40Brix, weight loss 4.66 grams. The quality of tomatoes stored on ZECC is better than tomatoes stored in cold storage and ambient temperature. Tomatoes can be stored in ZECC for 20 days, cool temperature storage of 15 days, and storage of ambient temperature 10 days.

Role of Contract Farming in Increasing Agricultural Sustainability in India: A Quantitative Investigation

A rise in the popularity of processed goods, changes in consumer behaviour, and supportive regulatory environments, farm centred on a partnership among peasants as well as agro-processing and/or marketing corporations is becoming more popular in Indian farming. The rationale for the development of such a type of farming is to boost individual financing of the industry while lowering pricing hazards and post-harvest damages, particularly for commodities like largely priced fruit, greens, and high-risk vegetables. Small holdings might receive a wide range of assistance from the private industry, including input supply, product assembling, and sales. Considering this, the current research looks into the degree to which contract farming will free local farmers in Indian agriculture from their current burdens and aid their escape from the cycle of scarcity. It was noted that although contract farming does have the ability to tackle issues with access to markets (both input and output), modern tech, and economic stability, it additionally has the possibility of worsening issues with traditional knowledge deterioration, soil conditions, and prejudice against big farms. Stronger organizational structure is deemed necessary to increase the sustainability and inclusivity of farming activities. The sample size of the study was 183 respondents. The data analysis was performed with the help of t-test and mean.

Transcript analyses of ethylene pathway genes during ripening of Chinese jujube fruit

The fruit of Chinese jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) is immensely popular worldwide, while its fleshy fruit has a very short shelf life and suffers serious postharvest damage. The fruit has been controversially classified as non-climacteric, though the mechanisms underlying its ripening behavior, particularly the role of ethylene, have remained unclear. In this study, low and stable ethylene production was detected during ripening of Z. jujuba ‘Dongzao’ fruit, with production increasing at the full maturity stage. To determine potential ripening behavior, the fruit of five cultivars were harvested at the white mature stage, and all exhibited a first decreasing and then moderately increasing respiration rate without concomitant climacteric-like ethylene production during shelf storage. Treatment with 1.0 μL L−1 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) inhibited respiration and ethylene production in white mature fruit, though the effects of 100 μL L−1 exogenous ethylene were not significant. The transcript levels of genes involved in ethylene biosynthesis, perception, and signal transduction were not elevated during fruit-ripening onset but substantially increased at the full-red ripening stage. Moreover, expression of genes controlling ethylene biosynthesis and perception mainly occurred in an auto-inhibited System-1-like manner, but signaling pathway genes were minimally affected by exogenous ethylene or 1-MCP. These results show that the ripening of Chinese jujube is non-climacteric. The basal level of ethylene likely plays a minor role in ripening regulation but is necessary to maintain normal ripening. This study elucidates the effects of ethylene on jujube fruit ripening, characterizing the ripening of this fruit as non-climacteric, and also provides strategies for the improvement and maintenance of fruit quality and the extension of shelf life during postharvest storage.

Toxicity Test on Wedusan (Ageratum spp.) Extract Against Sitophilus spp. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Tropical condition in Southeast Asia has contributed around 30% of post harvest damage as it provide optimum condition for the growth of Sitophilus spp. pest. Therefore, this study was aimed to investigate the effect of wedusan extract on controlling Sitophilus spp. Growth. Wedusan extract was given in different level of concentrations. The research used the Randomized Complete Design. Wedusan ( Ageratum spp.) extract affected the imago mortality of Sitophilus spp. There were two kinds of Wedusan extract used in this study, dried extract (DE) and fresh extract (FE). Sitophilus imago were put into bottles filled with organic rice and were treated with Wedusan extract. The mortality level was obsered at 24 Hours After Application (HAA), 48 HAA, and 72 HAA. The highest toxicity was found by the treatment of dried extract of wedusan 5 tablets, by LC50 55% on 24 HAA and 82.25% on 72 HAA. Extract of dry matter has higher toxicity effect than fresh extract. The application of wedusan extract is eviromental friendly and specific-range against pest. It is promising for future development as natural product in agriculture area.

Economic consequences of post-harvest insect damage in Rwandan common bean markets

Post-harvest losses have major economic consequences for smallholders in sub-Saharan Africa. One significant contributor to economic losses is price penalties for poor quality marketed grain. This study investigates farm-gate level discounts demanded by rural Rwandan bean traders for insect-damaged common beans. We use a simplified contingent valuation methodology with physical bean samples to elicit seasonal damage discount schedules based on data from 270 trader interviews in 25 regionally-diverse rural markets, in periods of both common bean abundance and scarcity. While levels of 5–10% insect damage can generally be sold with a moderate discount, beans with 20–30% insect damage are largely unmarketable. We model the physical and non-physical drivers of buying insect-damaged beans and, if so, the extent of discounts demanded. Results indicate that while insect damage levels play a central role, large volume traders penalize damage less while traders in the seed market, storing before re-sale, or purchasing heavily from farmers (vs. other traders) penalize damage significantly more. Findings help develop more evidence-based extension programming and methods could be adapted as an easily implemented and potentially insightful model for developing country agencies. Additionally, derived discount coefficients help evaluate the cost-effectiveness of technologies throughout the region which prevent post-harvest damage.

Transcriptome profiling of sweetpotato tuberous roots during low temperature storage

Sweetpotato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam] is a globally important root crop with high industrial value. However, because sweetpotato tuberous roots undergo chilling injuries that negatively affect their quality at temperatures below 10 °C, postharvest damage during the winter season is a major constraint for industrialization. To understand chilling injury response during postharvest low temperature storage, we used next-generation sequencing technology to comprehensive analyze the transcriptome of tuberous roots stored at optimal (13 °C) or low temperature (4 °C) for 6 weeks. From nine cDNA libraries, we produced 298,765,564 clean reads, which were de novo assembled into 58,392 unigenes with an average length of 1100 bp. A total of 3216 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected and categorized into six clusters, of which clusters 2, 4, and 5 (1464 DEGs) were up-regulated under low temperature. The genes in these three clusters are involved in biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, pathogen defense, and phenylalanine metabolism. By contrast, genes in clusters 1, 3, and 6 (1752 DEGs), which were generally down-regulated at low temperature, encode antioxidant enzymes or are involved in glycerophospholipid, carbohydrate, or energy metabolism. We confirmed the results of the transcriptome analysis by quantitative RT-PCR. Our transcriptome analysis will advance our understanding of the comprehensive mechanisms of chilling injury during low temperature storage and facilitate improvements in postharvest storage of sweetpotato tuberous roots.

Effect of ripening stage, 1-MCP treatment and different temperature regimes on long term storage of ‘Songold’ Japanese plum

In order for the Japanese Plum to reach distant markets with adequate consumption quality, it is necessary to determine not only the best harvesting time but also the most appropriate postharvest technologies that allow the correct ripeness after the distribution process. This paper addresses the combined effect of the harvesting time (H1, H2 and H3) with or without 1-MCP (T and C) treatment and the postsharvest storage in different temperature regimes (0 °C, 8 °C and dual temperature regime, 0/8 °C). The ‘Songold’ plum was kept for 30 and 50 days in cold storage and at 20 °C for 5 days after that (shelf-life, SL). For each analysis date, physical and chemical quality parameters were established (weight loss, firmness, colour, total soluble solids and acidity), together with postharvest damage (chilling injuries and decay). In general, the 1-MCP reduced the firmness loss and colour changes (L* and b*), maintaining the acidity of the fruit at rates close to those of the ones at harvest. The use of 1-MCP allows us to market the fruit at a more advanced ripening stage and to store it at a higher temperature without quality loss. Chilling injuries (CI) were the most relevant damages, mainly in H2 at 8 °C after 50+5days. 1-MCP appears to reduce the impact of CI but not decay.

A preliminary assessment of tomato fruit susceptibility to in-transit damage in Fiji

Poor produce quality and inconsistent supply currently impede smallholder vegetable growers in Fiji from accessing high-value domestic markets. One proposed option to overcome these constraints is to adopt a more centralised approach to product grading and storage, based around a network of regional ripening and packaging facilities. In terms of tomato growers, this would necessitate reconfiguring existing postharvest supply chains, removing the need for on-farm ripening, and transport of harvest-green mature fruit. This preliminary study was undertaken to determine whether the alternative transport of mature hard-green fruit would affect the incidence of bruising and impact damage. Fruits of four ripening stages were commercially transported to Suva municipal market, and then stored for seven days at 20-28°C (ambient market storage conditions). Fruit deformation due to compression in the carton was significantly less in mature-hard green fruits. We found that mature hard-green stage was least susceptible to bruising (8%) compared with turning stage tomatoes (12%), commercially traded fruit (16%) and light-red (21%). For mature green tomatoes most damage (36%) was in the middle inner level of the carton. Light red and turning tomatoes placed in the bottom inside layer displayed highest level of damage, 62 and 46% respectively. Based on this preliminary trial, transporting hardgreen tomatoes is likely to reduce the risk of in-transit postharvest damage, compared to the current smallholder practices of transporting fully-ripe fruit.

Impacts of Huanglongbing Symptom Severity on Fruit Detachment Force and Mechanical Properties of Sweet Oranges (Citrus sinensis)

This study evaluated the effects of huanglongbing (HLB) symptom severity on fruit detachment force (FDF) and fruit mechanical properties in sweet oranges (Citrus sinensis) as indicators of potential HLB-influenced preharvest fruit drop and postharvest damage and breakdown. FDF for fruit from HLB-asymptomatic trees (AS) was substantially greater than for fruits from HLB-symptomatic trees or branches. Fruit hardness, resilience, springiness, and cohesiveness values, measured by texture profile analysis (TPA), represent various aspects of fruit firmness and recovery capacity once compressed, and were lower in HLB-symptomatic fruits in comparison with AS fruits. On the other hand, puncture force, toughness, and deformation values, measured by a puncture test and representing peel toughness, were higher in HLB-symptomatic fruits than in the AS fruits. The results indicate that fruits from severely HLB-symptomatic sweet orange trees are more likely to have problems with preharvest fruit drop, and postharvest pressure damage and breakdown, but may have less puncture damage in harvesting, transportation, packing, and juice processing.

Caracterização de isolados de Colletotrichum spp. associados às frutíferas no Estado de São Paulo

RESUMOO Estado de São Paulo é um dos maiores produtores de frutas no Brasil. A competitividade no comércio internacional de frutas demanda a minimização de danos pós-colheita, especialmente os causados pela antracnose. Para o controle eficaz da antracnose em uma região é necessário conhecer quais espécies estão associadas a cada hospedeiro e qual a variabilidade dos agentes causais. Este trabalho objetivou caracterizar e identificar isolados de Colletotrichum de frutíferas cultivadas no Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Foram analisados 93 isolados obtidos de abacate, manga, maracujá e pêssego, por meio de morfometria de conídios e colônias e análise molecular (amplificação por PCR com oligonucleotídeos espécie-específicos e análise de sequências de nucleotídeos das regiões ITS e β-tubulina). Alta variabilidade morfométrica foi observada entre os isolados. A análise molecular indicou que, no Estado de São Paulo, as antracnoses do abacate, manga, maracujá e pêssego podem ser causadas por diferentes espécies do complexo C. gloeosporoides, revelando também a presença de C. boninense associada à antracnose do maracujá e de espécies não identificadas dos complexos C. acutatum e C. gloeosporioides causando antracnose em pêssego.

Susceptibility of some cereal species and cultivars grown in Algeria to post-harvest damage by the rice weevil

An experimental study was performed to assess the susceptibility to grain weevils of some cultivars of the major cereals produced in Algeria: durum, soft wheat and triticale. Two sets of grain samples of each variety were packaged and stored in comparable conditions for three months at 25 °C. One set was infested by Sitophilus oryzae and the second kept as a control. During storage, the insect population dynamics and major biochemical, nutritional and physical and chemical attributes were checked. Another experiment was performed only on varieties of durum in favorable conditions for rice weevil development. In the first study, durum was shown to be the least susceptible cereal species: weevils did not develop at moisture content below 12%. Triticale varieties were more susceptible to weevil damage than soft wheat varieties. After three months storage, the loss of weight for the most susceptible variety of triticale was ten times higher than for the least susceptible variety of soft wheat. The second experiment showed that not all durum varieties are equally susceptible to insect attack. A multivariate analysis, which related the main qualitative criteria changes to insect population density evolution with storage time, highlighted three variables influencing the major inter-varietal differences: storage time, moisture content and weevil population density. These results provide new data that can be exploited either in new cereal cultivar breeding or in elaborating Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies for cereal grain storage.

Ozonização como tecnologia pós-colheita na conservação de frutas e hortaliças: Uma revisão

As podridões em frutas e hortaliças, resultantes da atividade de agentes fitopatogênicos e da senescência natural, acarretam perdas qualitativas e quantitativas e, em consequência, perdas econômicas. Este artigo tem, como objetivo, discutir a eficácia, os benefícios e os limites do emprego do ozônio (O3) enquanto agente sanitizante, na minimização da ocorrência de doenças fúngicas em produtos hortícolas. Neste contexto, a presente revisão bibliográfica realizada no banco de dados do SciELO e ScienceDirect, discute estudos encontrados sobre o emprego do ozônio e sua eficácia como agente sanitizante em alimentos. Desta forma, a revisão apresenta uma avaliação crítica das vantagens e desvantagens da ozonização, a contribuição e o impacto desta tecnologia para minimizar os danos e perdas pós-colheita, além do efeito desta tecnologia como uma alternativa ao uso do cloro, as formas de aplicação, o uso e segurança e a regulamentação do uso do ozônio na agroindústria.

BeauveriaandMetarhiziumAgainst False Codling Moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae): A Step Towards Selecting Isolates for Potential Development of a Mycoinsecticide

False codling moth, Thaumatotibia leucotreta Meyrick (1912) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), can cause both pre- and post-harvest damage to citrus fruit. Not only can this result in reduced crop yield, but more importantly because of the moth's endemism to sub-Saharan Africa, it is classified as a phytosanitary pest by many export markets. An entire consignment of citrus may be rejected in the presence of a single moth (Moore 2012). Since the bulk of citrus fruit production in South Africa is exported, the control of T. leucotreta is critical (Citrus Growers Association, South Africa 2012). Traditionally, control has been achieved through the use of chemical insecticides; however, residue restrictions, resistance development and concerns about environmental pollution have substantially reduced the dependence on chemical pesticides in citrus. Research on T. leucotreta control has therefore focused on the use of biological organisms (e.g. parasitoids and viruses), which are used as control agents within an integrated pest management (IPM) programme in citrus. These biological control agents, however, only targeted the aboveground life stages of the pest, not the soil-dwelling life stages (late fifth instars, prepupae, pupae), which is the subject of this contribution (Moore 2012).

Relative Susceptibility and Proximate Composition of Some Imported and Local Rice Varieties to Infestation and Damage by <i>Sitophilus oryzae</i> L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Ten rice varieties were assessed for their comparative susceptibility and proximate composition to post harvest infestation and damage by Sitophilus oryzae L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). The damage parameters used to compare the susceptibility of the rice varieties to S. oryzae were; percentage mortality 4 weeks after adult insects infestation, number of F1 progeny, percentage grains weight loss and F2 adult emergence. Four weeks post infestation (WPI), almost all the adults introduced to ITA 315 had died (95% mortality rate) which was significantly (P 0.05) in the weight loss of Igbemo, Ofada and Erio varieties. Highest and lowest weight loss was obtained for Isan and ITA 315, at week 8 and 12 respectively. The extent of damage done by the introduced adult S. oryzae were observed to be reduced in ITA 315, Caprice, ITA 257 and Cisadene varieties, as they may have found it hard to puncture into or oviposit in the grains, resulting in reduced weight loss, and low F1 progeny and F2 adult emergence. Grain hardness, moisture content and anti-nutrient compositions of the selected varieties were investigated whether it may be used as indicators of resistance. Only moisture content could be established as an indicator of resistance, as the grain moisture content was significantly positively correlated with both F1 and F2 adult emergence. The imported varieties which recorded higher resistance had lower moisture content compared to the local varieties. Grain hardness and anti-nutrient composition did not affect susceptibility of the rice varieties to infestation and damage of S. oryzae because there was no significant (P>0.05) correlation between the two variables and susceptibility to the weevil.

Evidence that rodent control strategies ought to be improved to enhance food security and reduce the risk of rodent-borne illnesses within subsistence farming villages in the plague-endemic West Nile region, Uganda

Rodents pose serious threats to human health and economics, particularly in developing countries where the animals play a dual role as pests: they are reservoirs of human pathogens, and they inflict damage levels to stored products sufficient to cause food shortages. To assess the magnitude of the damage caused by rodents to crops, their level of contact with humans, and to better understand current food storage and rodent control practices, we conducted a survey of 37 households from 17 subsistence farming villages within the West Nile region of Uganda. Our survey revealed that rodents cause both pre- and post-harvest damage to crops. Evidence of rodent access to stored foods was reported in conjunction with each of the reported storage practices. Approximately half of the respondents reported that at least one family member had been bitten by a rat within the previous three months. Approximately two-thirds of respondents practiced some form of rodent control in their homes. The abundance of rodents was similar within homes that practiced or did not practice rodent control. Together, our results show that current efforts are inadequate for effectively reducing rodent abundance in homes.

Biochemical composition and effects of radiation on sensory, biochemical and physiological quality of fresh spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.)

Leafy vegetables have become an important part of the diet because of their nutritive value and low calorie content. But leafy vegetables are very perishable and susceptible to postharvest damage and spoilage which limit the storage period and quality of them. Irradiation is being used in the preservation of leafy vegetables. The effects of irradiation (0.5 and 1.0 kGy) on sensory, biochemical, physiological attributes of spinach were investigated during 12 days of post-irradiation storage at 12°C ± 60% RH. Spinach treated with 1.0 kGy showed acceptability in color, flavor, texture and overall acceptability till 12 days during storage period whereas at the same period, control and 0.5 kGy treated samples were spoiled. Reduced rate of weight loss was observed in irradiated samples compare to control over the whole storage period. A minor decrease in the ascorbic acid content was the only adverse effect observed in irradiated spinach compare to control sample and no other major changes occurred in TSS, pH value of treated and untreated sample of spinach. Radiation processing of spinach at 1.0 kGy extends the shelf life without affecting sensory and nutritional qualities. Thus, radiation can be used for the shelf -life extension of leafy vegetables and is not harmful to health.

Deleterious effects of Myracrodruon urundeuva leaf extract and lectin on the maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais (Coleoptera, Curculionidae)

Deterioration and degradation of grains by storage insect pests lead to economic losses of several billion dollars and affect food security. Sitophilus zeamais is responsible for pre- and post-harvest damages to maize. The high toxicity of synthetic insecticides and the development of resistance by insects to the chemicals currently used stimulate the investigation of plant-derived insecticides as new alternatives for pest control. In this study, we report the effects of diets containing Myracrodruon urundeuva leaf extract (10–150 mg/g) and lectin (MuLL; 3–150 mg/g) on the survival, feeding, and nutrition of the storage pest S. zeamais. The digestive enzyme activity in gut extracts from the insects reared on the leaf extract (25 mg/g) or MuLL (15 mg/g) diets was also evaluated. The leaf extract induced mortality (LC50: 72.4 mg/g), while MuLL (30–150 mg/g) exerted strong feeding deterrence. The leaf extract and MuLL promoted the loss of biomass, as reflected in the negative values for relative biomass gain rates and efficiencies in converting ingested food. Protease, trypsin-like, acid phosphatase, and amylase activities in the insects reared on leaf extract or MuLL diets were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than those in the control insects. MuLL ingestion also significantly reduced (P < 0.05) endoglucanase and alkaline phosphatase activities. In conclusion, the leaf extract and MuLL have the potential for S. zeamais control by killing adults and preventing the use of a food source, respectively. The deleterious effects of the extract and lectin on S. zeamais may be linked to enzyme inhibition and consequent suppression of digestive processes.