Effect of the Prevalent Insect Species of Yam Chips on Consumers’ Acceptability of Yam Paste

Abstract

A survey was carried out between March and August 2010 to identify insect pests of stored yam chips in Ogbomoso Metropolis, Nigeria. Dried yam chips were randomly obtained from old stocks in 6 local markets within the metropolis on monthly basis. There was a significant (P < 0.05) difference in insect abundance based on month of sampling and insect species. Dinoderus porcellus (Coleoptera: Bostrychidae) was the most abundant species. Other species encountered were Araecerus fasciculatus (Degeer) (Coleoptera: Anthribidae), Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Tribolium castaneum Herbst (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). When chips were infested with Dinoderus porcellus and stored for 3 months, reconstituted thick paste (amala) was made from the flour and was evaluated for consumers’ acceptability. Sensory characteristics such as odour, colour, texture, appearance, taste and overall acceptability were significantly (P < 0.05) affected when compared with the paste prepared from the uninfested chips.

How pestiferous are maize weevil Sitophilus zeamais (Motschulsky, 1855) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and rust-red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum (Herbst, 1797) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) against dried okra Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench (Malvales: Malvaceae) fruit?

“…Adult S. zeamais were obtained from heavily infested maize sample and adult T. castaneum was obtained from old poultry feed. The two insect species were separately reared on maize grain and millet flour, respectively in glass jars covered with muslin cloth to allow aeration and prevent escape of the insects as well as entry of other insect like predators as described by (Babarinde et al, 2008a). The cultures were maintained under ambient conditions in the laboratory.…”

“…For instance, rust-red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum (Herbst, 1797) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) and Khapra beetle Trogoderma granarium Everts, 1898 (Coleoptera: Dermestidae), have been reported to be pestiferous against plantain chips (Babarinde et al, 2010a,b); while Odeyemi et al (2005) reported the infestation of biscuit by T. castaneum. Cigarette beetle Lasioderma serricorne (Fabricius, 1792) (Coleoptera: Anobiidae) was reported to infest various crops including dried vegetables (Babarinde et al 2008a); while maize weevil S. zeamais was reported to be pestiferous against tuberous crops and other non-grain produce (Babarinde et al, 2008b(Babarinde et al, , 2013b. Besides whole and intact grains, both S. zeamais and T. castaneum have been reported to be pestiferous against pastas (Pungitore et al, 2005;Trematerra, 2009;Babarinde et al, 2013a;Tremattera and Savoldelli, 2014).…”

“…Cigarette beetle Lasioderma serricorne (Fabricius, 1792) (Coleoptera: Anobiidae) was reported to infest various crops including dried vegetables (Babarinde et al 2008a); while maize weevil S. zeamais was reported to be pestiferous against tuberous crops and other non-grain produce (Babarinde et al, 2008b(Babarinde et al, , 2013b. Besides whole and intact grains, both S. zeamais and T. castaneum have been reported to be pestiferous against pastas (Pungitore et al, 2005;Trematerra, 2009;Babarinde et al, 2013a;Tremattera and Savoldelli, 2014).…”

Management of Dinoderus porcellus L. (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) infesting yam chips using varietal resistance and botanical powders of three medicinal plants

“…Unfortunately, dried yam chips in traditional storage systems are severely attacked by Dinoderus porcellus Lesne (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae), which easily destroys stocks in few days (Ategbo et al, 1998, Vernier et al, 2005 and can cause losses of up to 50% of stocks (Loko et al, 2013). This pest, also found in dried cassava chips (Schäfer et al, 2000) causes" visual damage by penetrating the chips thus depreciating their market value and negatively influence the quality of reconstituted yam paste (Babarinde et al, 2013). To protect yam chips against insects attack, farmers use chemical insecticides of cotton (Loko et al, 2013), but that leads to several cases of food poisoning and deaths of entire families (Adedoyin et al, 2008;Adeleke, 2009).…”

Toxicity of Sclerocarya birrea and Azadirachta indica extracts against maize weevil Sitophilus zeamais Motchulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in storage

“…The infestation of cereal grain by S. zeamais and other insect pests have led to heavy losses ranging from 20-30% of total grain production alone in Nigeria (Miyinjiwa, 2002) It is a cosmopolitan pest with its hosts ranging from cereals to processed tuberous crops and even dried vegetables (Babarinde et al, 2008a(Babarinde et al, , 2013a(Babarinde et al, , 2013b. This wide host range is the more reason why this insect species can cause severe socio-economic problems and food insecurity, if left unattended to.…”