EFFECT OF OIL TREATMENTS AGAINST THE INFESTATION OF CALLOSOBRUCHUS-CHINENSIS (L) ON THE LEVELS OF VITAMIN-B IN STORED LEGUMES

Groundnut, coconut and mustard oil treated whole chick pea, mung bean and pigeon pea were infested with Callosobruchus chinensis (L.) and st ored for six months. Samples were analysed at monthly intervals for se lected B complex vitamins viz. thiamine, riboflavin and niacin. With i ncrease in storage period, values for all three vitamins decreased in untreated legues. After two months of storage slight decrease in thiam ine, riboflavin and niacin content of coconut oil treated legumes was observed which continued till the end of six months as compared to the other two oil treated counterparts. The storage period was associated with insect infestation, which in turn influenced the B complex vitam ins of legumes. Groundnut, mustard and coconut oils were able to prote ct legumes for six months against insect infestation when applied in s mall amount (0.5%), whereas coconut oil had protective effect against insect infestation only for four months.