Ethyl formate: A comprehensive review on its Function as a fumigant for stored products

Ethyl formate is a well-known fumigant since 1927, that has regained popularity lately due to the phase out of methyl bromide and the escalating resistance to phosphine in stored product insects. In this article, meta-data retrieved from Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed were synthesized for different time intervals and categorized into publications focusing on 'durables', 'fresh commodities' (fruits, vegetables, flowers, and nursery plants), and 'others' encompassing applications such as ethyl formate against lice, inhalation studies with rates, investigations on cockroaches, and research on non-food materials). In addition, the impact of ethyl formate on the quality of the stored products, its absorption by stored products, and its application against stored product insects were also explored. This article extensively focuses on the application of ethyl formate in conjunction with other treatments like carbon dioxide, phosphine, vacuum, modified atmosphere, and other plant components such as allyl isothiocyanate, methyl isothiocyanate, and methyl salicylate, to improve efficacy, widen the spectrum of control, and optimize strategies for effective pest management. The challenges of ethyl formate including high sorption, flammability, and phytotoxicity and their solutions have also been presented. This comprehensive exploration serves as a valuable resource for understanding the multifaceted applications of ethyl formate in pest management, especially in the context of evolving agricultural practices and environmental considerations.