Postharvest infestations by stored-product insects threaten both food safety and global grain security, necessitating effective and sustainable fumigation solutions. This study evaluated the efficacy of hydrogen cyanide (HCN) as a structural fumigant in a large-scale wheat milling facility (40,500 m³) in Râmnicu Vâlcea, Romania. Fumigation was performed at a dose of 10 g·m⁻³, with 412.5 kg of HCN applied across two interconnected buildings. Gas concentration and distribution were monitored at six sampling points using Gasmet DX4040 FTIR and Riken Keiki FI-8000 analyzers, while temperature and humidity were continuously logged. The cumulative concentration–time product (CTP) exceeded 50 gh·m⁻³ at all points except inside grain silos, indicating uniform and sufficient gas exposure. Bioassays with Tribolium confusum confirmed 100% mortality of adults, larvae, and eggs, validating full biological efficacy. Residue analyses revealed HCN levels ranging from 1.31 to 3.34 ppm, well below accepted food safety limits. Following aeration, residual gas levels fell below 1.5 ppm, allowing safe re-entry within 36 hours. These results demonstrate that HCN provides complete insect control under industrial conditions without compromising food safety, supporting its use as a viable, sustainable alternative to methyl bromide and phosphine in postharvest pest management.
Spiliotis et al. (Tue,) studied this question.
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