Biological evaluation of protein quality of wheat as affected by insect infestation

Abstract

Protein quality of wheat grains having 25%, 50% and 75% infestation caused by mixed populations of Trogoderma granarium Everts and Rhizopertha dominica Fabricius was biologically evaluated by rat growth and nitrogen balance studies. Feeding of a diet containing insect-infested wheat grain (50% and 75%) resulted in marked decreases of food intake, body weight gain, food efficiency ratio, protein efficiency ratio, nitrogen absorption, biological value, net protein utilization and dry matter digestibility. These parameters showed negative association with infestation levels. However, a 25% level of grain infestation did not affect the parameters significantly.