Nutrient composition of cowpeas infested with Callosobruchus Maculatus L. in Zaria.

Abstract

Cowpeas infested with Callosobruchus maculatus, in Zaria were analysed using standard biochemical methods. The analysis was to determine the effect of Callosobruchus maculatus on cowpeas at various stages of infestation. Four varieties “Kannanado”, Local brown, “Dan Borno” and IAR-48 were used. Results show significant decrease in moisture with increase in infestation in all the varieties except for ‘Kannanado’, this was also the case in carbohydrate content for all the varieties used (p < 0.05). The carbohydrate content ( lowest was 10.3%) for uninfested “ Dan Borno” while the infested IAR-48 had the highest (12.4%) Slightly infested seed had the highest moisture content (12.0%) while uninfested cowpeas had lowest moisture (5.8%). A trend of increase in protein content with severity of infestation was observed in the varieties used, though I.A.R. 48 deviated from this pattern (p < 0.05). Uninfested “Dan Borno” had the lowest protein content (1.4 %) and IAR-48 the highest (1.7 %). Lowest lipid content was found in slightly infested seeds ( 15.6 %) and the highest (22.6 %) for the severely infested. A significant increase in lipid and ash contents of the cowpeas with increase in severity of infestation was observed in all the varieties (p < 0.05).The damage caused by C. maculatus to all varieties of cowpea analysed did not significantly affect their nutrient composition though they attract less market value than uninfested varieties.