Gamma radiation treatment as an effective eco-friendly nonthermal alternative for pest dis infestations in wheat grains thus ensuring food security

India is recognized as the second largest producer of food grains and even though the production quantum is quite huge, per capita availability is low owing to many factors including increased population and high losses of food. To sustainable and effectively accomplish the target of food security, food availability needs to be strengthened through reductions in the post-harvest losses across the supply chain during post-harvest operations. Minimizing cereal losses in the supply chain through policy intervention could be one of the most efficient ways that can help in strengthening food security. Among all the biotic factors, insect pests are considered most important and cause huge losses in the grains (30%-40%). Management of stored product without insect infestation is a major concern in grain processing and storage industries. Several common and effective fumigants are facing usage restrictions and de registration in many parts of the world. Upon gamma radiation treatment, a significant increase in the level of phenolics was observed for most of the phenolic acids. Furthermore, maximum phenolics content was observed for the bound fraction with ferulic acid relatively in the highest concentration followed by sinapic acid. The redox behavior by the wheat extract was found to be similar even during storage period of 12 months. Current study thus provides credible evidences establishing radiation technology as an effective modality in the preservation of wheat grains