Plant-based bioactive compounds for grain storage: a comprehensive review

Abstract

The post-harvest loss of grain is a global concern, especially for developing countries where food security is a big challenge. Botanical plants are called green pesticides, which can affect various insect pests in different ways. Essential oils have a broad range of bioactivity when it comes to combating agricultural pests. Moreover, spices are potential alternatives to preserve grains from insect infestations due to their different characteristics (repellent, deterrent, and insecticidal). The aim of this review is to provide an overview of plant-based products, including their mode of action, bioactive components, and targeted pests and insects for grain storage.

Keywords:

• Botanicals
• bioactive compound
• insecticidal
• toxicity and mode of action

Reviewing Editor:

• M. Luisav Escudero-Gilete, Universidad de Sevilla, Spain

SUBJECTS:

• Food Additives & Ingredients
• Food Chemistry
• Food Engineering
• Food Laws & Regulations
• Botany

Author contributions

ZTA: Conceptualization, Writing–original draft. MAA: Conceptualization, review & editing. BDA: Conceptualization, Supervision, Writing – review & editing.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

No data was used for this review paper.

Additional information

Funding

This review work did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Notes on contributors

Zemenu Tadesse Adimas

Zemenu Tadesse Adimas is a lecturer and young researcher in the department of Food Engineering. His research interest is in food processing, food storage, dairy processing technology and so on.

Mekuannt Alefe Adimas

Mekuannt Alefe Adimas is lecturer and young researcher and also a PhD candidate in the department of Food Engineering. His research interest is food processing, food storage, dairy processing technology, indigenous technologies, Food hygiene and safety and so on.

Biresaw Demelash Abera

Biresaw Demelash Abera is an Assistant professor and a young researcher in the department of Food Engineering. His research interest is in emerging technologies in food processing and safety, food analogs, Food hygiene and safety, Food fortification, Nutrition, and so on.