The effect of successive infestation with bruchid beetles on some physical properties and chemical constituents of stored lentils.

Abstract

The effect of infestation by the bruchids Callosobruchus chinensis, C. maculatus and Bruchidius incarnatus for 3 generations on the physical properties and chemical constituents of stored lentils was investigated in Egypt. B. incarnatus caused the highest infestation followed by C. chinensis and then by C. maculatus. B. incarnatus reduced the seed weight and also inhibited seed germination to a greater extent than C. chinensis, which had a greater effect than C. maculatus. Increased infestation was accompanied by increased moisture in infested seeds. The increased moisture content had reached similar levels for the 3 species by the end of the experiment. B. incarnatus caused the greatest losses in carbohydrates and fatty acids, followed by C. chinensis, and then C. maculatus. C. chinensis produced the greatest reduction in protein content, followed by C. maculatus and B. incarnatus. C. chinensis and C. maculatus produced a similar reduction in free amino acid content, while B. incarnatus produced the least reduction.