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J Econ Entomol

Title:		Dynamics of pH modification of an acidic protein bait used for tropical fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae)
Author(s):		Heath RR; Vazquez A; Schnell EQ; Villareal J; Kendra PE; Epsky ND;
Address:		"USDA-ARS, Subtropical Horticulture Research Station, Miami, FL 33158, USA. bob.heath@ars.usda.gov"
Journal Title:		J Econ Entomol
Year:		2009
Volume:		102
Issue:		6
Page Number:		2371 - 2376
DOI:		10.1603/029.102.0644
ISSN/ISBN:		0022-0493 (Print) 0022-0493 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Several species of Anastrepha and Bactrocera fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) are captured in traps baited with the protein bait NuLure combined with borax (sodium tetraborate decahydrate) in an aqueous solution, typically 9% NuLure (vol:vol) with 3% borax (wt:vol). NuLure is an acid hydrolysate of corn and has an acidic pH. Addition of borax makes the solution more alkaline, and increase in alkalinity results in increase of ammonia release from the bait solution. This is a very dynamic system, with resultant pH affected by factors such as the amount of borax added, the pH of the water used for preparation, the age of the bait solution, and the development of microbial growth. Problems with borax include amount needed to increase alkalinity of NuLure solutions, which creates difficulties in disposing of spent bait in fruit fly trapping programs. Therefore, research was conducted to evaluate NaOH as an alternative method to increase alkalinity of NuLure solutions. Laboratory experiments compared effect of NaOH versus borax for pH modification on changes in pH and ammonia content of NuLure solutions over time. Although NuLure/NaOH solutions could be adjusted to a more alkaline pH than NuLure/borax solutions, borax plays a critical role in pH stability over time. However, the pH of NuLure/NaOH is stabilized when propylene glycol (10% vol:vol) was used to prepare the bait solution. The use of NaOH can provide an alternative to the use of borax to increase bait solution alkalinity"
Keywords:		Ammonia/isolation & purification Animals Borates/chemistry Hydrogen-Ion Concentration *Insect Control Pheromones/*chemistry Plant Proteins/*chemistry Protein Hydrolysates/*chemistry Proteins/chemistry Sodium Hydroxide/chemistry *Tephritidae;
Notes:		"MedlineHeath, Robert R Vazquez, Aime Schnell, Elena Q Villareal, Janett Kendra, Paul E Epsky, Nancy D eng Comparative Study England 2010/01/15 J Econ Entomol. 2009 Dec; 102(6):2371-6. doi: 10.1603/029.102.0644"