Cold treatment as a sustainable postharvest method to control two major stored-product pests and quality preservation in Mediterranean dried fruits

Cold treatment is increasingly explored as a sustainable alternative to chemical methods for controlling insect pests in stored products. This study evaluated the effectiveness of short-duration cold exposures against two major stored-product pests, Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.) and Plodia interpunctella (Hübner), in three dried fruit commodities: Corinthian currants, Turkish figs, and Medjool dates. Insects were exposed to temperatures ranging from 5 °C to −15 °C for varying durations, with both mortality and progeny production assessed in order to identify the most efficient temperature–time combinations that minimize energy consumption while maintaining disinfestation efficacy and food quality. Results showed that exposure to −15 °C or lower for at least 2 h was sufficient to induce complete mortality and prevent reproduction in both species. Plodia interpunctella exhibited slightly higher cold susceptibility than O. surinamensis , particularly at sub-zero temperatures. Moreover, reproductive activity varied across fruit types, especially for O. surinamensis , suggesting that the food substrate may influence cold tolerance and recovery potential. Chemical analyses confirmed that cold treatments did not adversely affect the nutritional quality, antioxidant content, or sensory characteristics of the dried fruits. Overall, these findings support the application of cold treatment as an effective, energy-conscious, non-chemical strategy for postharvest pest control in dried fruits, offering both phytosanitary efficacy and product quality preservation.