Standards Development

Scope

This part of ISO 6639 specifies four rapid methods for estimating the degree of, or detecting the presence of hidden insect infestation with sampling (sections 1 to 3) or without sampling (on site probing, section 4) in a cereal or pulse lot.

NOTE The characteristics leading to the choice of rapid method are summarized in the table in ISO 6639-1.

Section one: Method by determination of carbon dioxide production (clauses 4 to 10)

The method is primarily intended for testing whole grains. It is not applicable for testing

a) finely ground grain products, as there is a risk that particles of material will be sucked up with air samples; or

b) grain products with moisture contents greater than 15 % (m/m), because of the risk of carbon dioxide produced by the products themselves and by micro-organisms interfering with the results.

In addition, the method is not applicable to the rapid testing of grain products on to which carbon dioxide has already been adsorbed in large quantities, for example grain stored in a confined atmosphere or when there are clear external indications of heavy infestation.

The method can be used for coarsely milled or kibbled grain products, provided that they have been sieved before testing to remove fine particles and loose insects.

The method does not permit the presence of dead adults.

Section two: Whole grain flotation method (clauses 11 to 18)

The method is suitable for detecting hidden infestation in most cereals and pulses but only on a qualitative basis.Section three: Acoustic method (clauses 19 to 24) operating on a sampleThe method is suitable for detecting living (and active) insects (larvae and adults before their emergence from a kernel) inside grains in a sample. It does not permit dead adults and larvae or living eggs and pupae (non-feeding stages) to be detected.

The method is suitable for detecting living (and active) insects (larvae and adults before their emergence from a kernel) inside grains in a sample. It does not permit dead adults and larvae or living eggs and pupae (non-feeding stages) to be detected.

Section four: On site probing with an acoustic probe (clauses 25 to 31)

This is the most suitable method to detect adult insects and larvae feeding on the grain inside without taking samples but it does not detect inactive stages (eggs, nymph and moulting).