Biological Protein Quality of Insect (Callosobruchus chinensis L.) Infested Pigeon Pea

Biological protein quality of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan Wil.) infested with the pulse beetle (Callosobruchus chinensis L.) at 20, 40 and 60% level of infestation was estimated by feeding it to rats for 40 days. The effect of incorporation of uninfested and infested pigeon pea in rat diets on its feed intake, weight gain, protein efficiency ratio (PER), feed efficiency ratio (FER), true protein digestibility (TPD), biological value (BV), net protein utilization (NPU), protein retention efficiency (PRE) and on the weight of kidney, liver and spleen was studied. The inclusion of insect infested grains in ratʹs diet had a significant (P<0.05) adverse effect on the protein quality. With increase in level of infestation there was significant (P<0.05) decrease in the values (P<0.05) of parameters studied. Significant losses in the weight of kidney, spleen and liver of rats were observed. Insect infestation resulted in the deterioration of biological protein quality of the pigeon pea.