High hydrostatic pressure at low temperature as a quarantine treatment to improve the quality of fruits.

Application of high hydrostatic pressure has been proposed as an alternative quarantine process for the Mexican fruit fly, Anastrepha ludens Loew (Diptera: Tephritidae), one of the most important insects infesting mangoes, citrus fruits, and other fruits in Mexico and other Latin American countries. The present study was performed to determine the effect of high pressure treatments at 0 degrees C on the survivorship of eggs and larvae of this pest. The effect of time and pressure level at near-freezing temperatures on the egg hatch and survival of larvae is discussed. Eggs and larvae were pressurized at 25, 50, 75, 100, or 150 MPa for 0, 5, 10, or 20 min at 0 degrees C. Hatch was recorded for 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-day-old pressurized eggs. For pressurized larvae (first, second, and third instars), percentage of survival was registered. Further, third instars were studied for their ability to pupate and develop to adulthood. The results showed that eggs had higher resistance than larvae to pressure. Larvae were not able to resist pressure treatments at 75 MPa for 20 min at 0 degrees C. Treatments at 150 MPa for 20 min at 0 degrees C were needed to destroy all eggs and larvae of A. ludens, indicating that this process might be useful as a quarantine method for infested fruits. However, more studies involving combination of high hydrostatic pressure at low temperature with precooling treatments are needed in order to decrease the pressure level to avoid fruit damage.