REVIEW OF HEALTH HAZARDS OF CHEMICAL PESTICIDES AND EMERGING BOTANICAL SOLUTIONS AGAINST STORED GRAIN BRUCHIDS OF THE GENUS CALLOSOBRUCHUS (COLEOPTERA: CHRYSOMELIDAE)

In India, a significant portion of the population frequently consumes pulses to meet their protein and vitamin needs. To maintain food security, Indians store vast amounts of food grains in both public and private warehouses. During storage, a variety of biotic and abiotic factors influence grain quality. Among biotic factors, the insect pests belonging to the genus Callosubruchus cause the most harm to stored grains or pulses. The major species of this genus include Callosobruchus maculatus, Callosobruchus chinensis, and Callosobruchus analis. Many strategies have been employed for post-harvest pest control of these bruchids in which chemical control is a popular strategy that involves the use of chemical insecticides to combat pests. However, using chemical pesticides to protect pulses is dangerous to the environment and also to human health, which raises concerns regarding both acute and chronic health effects like poisoning, neurological disorders, hormonal, reproductive disorders, carcinogenic effects, allergy, and respiratory problems. Therefore, nowadays more stress is being laid on the use of botanicals for the control and management of stored bruchids that serve as environment environment-friendly and economically feasible option. As the botanicals greatly lower the risk to human health, prevent harmful residues, and promote safer, sustainable grain storage, all of which are consistent with public health and food safety objectives. Hence, this review provides a comprehensive view of the various types of health risks caused by chemical insecticides, and a light will also be thrown on the possible botanicals that have been explored by various workers in India.