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Measuring the nutritional cost of insect infestation of stored maize and cowpea

Author

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  • Tanya E. Stathers

    (University of Greenwich)

  • Sarah E. J. Arnold

    (University of Greenwich)

  • Corinne J. Rumney

    (University of Greenwich)

  • Clare Hopson

    (University of Greenwich)

Abstract

Our understanding and prevention of postharvest losses are critical if we are to feed a growing global population. Insect infestation-related losses of stored commodities are typically considered only in terms of quantitative, physical weight loss. Insect infestation affects the nutritional value and some nutritional components are impacted more severely than others. We infested maize and cowpea grain with commonly occurring stored product insect pests, and mapped infestation levels against nutritional composition over a 4-to-6 month storage period to analyse how insect infestation relates to different macro- and micro-nutrient contents. Insect infestation decreased the carbohydrate content of the stored grains, causing a relative increase in the proportion of protein and fibre in the remaining grain, and moisture content also increased. Sitophilus zeamais preferentially fed in the floury endosperm of maize, resulting in more carbohydrate loss relative to protein loss. Conversely, Prostephanus truncatus consumed the germ and endosperm, disproportionately reducing the fat, protein, iron and zinc grain contents. Nutrients are distributed more homogenously within cowpea than in maize grains, but Callosobruchus maculatus infestation increased the relative protein, fat, iron and zinc to carbohydrate ratios. This indicates how the nutrient content of insect-infested stored grain depends upon the grain type, the infesting insect, and the infestation level. Insect infestation therefore has consequences for human nutrition beyond those of grain weight loss. Using data collected on the changing nutritional composition of grain over time, with and without insect infestation, we modelled the associations between infestation and nutritional quality to predict estimated nutritional losses that could be associated with consumption of insect-infested stored maize and cowpea.

Suggested Citation

  • Tanya E. Stathers & Sarah E. J. Arnold & Corinne J. Rumney & Clare Hopson, 2020. "Measuring the nutritional cost of insect infestation of stored maize and cowpea," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 12(2), pages 285-308, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ssefpa:v:12:y:2020:i:2:d:10.1007_s12571-019-00997-w
    DOI: 10.1007/s12571-019-00997-w
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Tinashe Nyabako & Brighton M. Mvumi & Tanya Stathers & Honest Machekano, 2021. "Smallholder grain postharvest management in a variable climate: practices and perceptions of smallholder farmers and their service-providers in semi-arid areas," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(6), pages 9196-9222, June.
    2. Aurélie Bechoff & Apurba Shee & Brighton M. Mvumi & Patrick Ngwenyama & Hawi Debelo & Mario G. Ferruzzi & Loveness K. Nyanga & Sarah Mayanja & Keith I. Tomlins, 2022. "Estimation of nutritional postharvest losses along food value chains: A case study of three key food security commodities in sub-Saharan Africa," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 14(3), pages 571-590, June.
    3. Patrick Ngwenyama & Shephard Siziba & Loveness K. Nyanga & Tanya E. Stathers & Macdonald Mubayiwa & Shaw Mlambo & Tinashe Nyabako & Aurélie Bechoff & Apurba Shee & Brighton M. Mvumi, 2023. "Determinants of smallholder farmers’ maize grain storage protection practices and understanding of the nutritional aspects of grain postharvest losses," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 15(4), pages 937-951, August.

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