EVALUATION OF SOME PLANT-PRODUCTS AGAINST TROGODERMA-GRANARIUM EVERTSIN STORED WHEAT AND THEIR EFFECTS ON NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITION AND ORGANOLEPTIC CHARACTERISTICS OF TREATED GRAINS

Neem (Azadirachta indica) oil and powders of neem leaf and neem kernel , citrus (Citrus limon) leaf, garlic (Allium sativum) bulb, podina (Me ntha spicata) leaf were used in wheat grains at the 1% and 2% level (w /w) against larvae of Trogoderma granarium Everts. Neem products compl etely prevented damage by an introduced larval population. In other tr eatments grain damage was noticeable after 3 months, although signific antly less than in untreated grains. Thereafter, damage increased prog ressively and reached as high as 45% (citrus), 46% (podina) and 72% (g arlic) after 6 months. Nutritional composition, viz. moisture, ash, fi bre, fat, protein and carbohydrates of treated grains after 1 month, r emained unaffected. After 6 months, changes in the level of nutritiona l compounds were proportional to insect damage. Neem products did not produce any adverse effect on nutritional composition. 'Chapatis' made from flour of treated grains after 1 month did not show adverse effec ts on colour, appearance and texture but neem oil, neem kernel and gar lic powders produced unacceptable taste and aroma. After 6 months of t reatment, taste, aroma and overall acceptability of 'chapatis' were ei ther affected by insect damage or by plant products except neem leaf t reated grains, which were organoleptically acceptable.