CHEMICAL-COMPOSITION OF CEREAL-GRAINS AS AFFECTED BY STORAGE AND INSECT INFESTATION

Insect infestation of wheat, maize, and sorghum grains, caused by Trog oderma granarium Everts and Rhizopertha dominica Fabricius separately and in mixed populations, resulted in substantial changes in grain con tents. At the highest infestation level (75%) both insects caused a si gnificant (P < 0.05) decrease in crude fat and total carbohydrates, an d an increase in moisture, crude fibre, and total protein contents com pared to the control and lower levels of infestation. However, the dif ferences in the levels of chemical constituents of grains as a result of differing feeding habits of the insects were not significant. Mixed populations of both insects produced intermediate results. Storage of these three cereal grains for one to four months in insect-free condi tions did not result in any significant changes in any of the constitu ents examined.