Cowpeas infested with Callosobruchus maculatus, in Zaria were analysed
using standard biochemical methods. The analysis was to determine the
effect of Callosobruchus maculatus on cowpeas at various stages of
infestation. Four varieties "Kannanado", Local brown, "Dan Borno" and
IAR-48 were used. Results show significant decrease in moisture with
increase in infestation in all the varieties except for "Kannanado",
this was also the case in carbohydrate content for all the varieties
used (p < 0.05). The carbohydrate content ( lowest was 10.3%) for
uninfested "Dan Borno" while the infested IAR-48 had the highest
(12.4%) Slightly infested seed had the highest moisture content (12.0%)
while uninfested cowpeas had lowest moisture (5.8%). A trend of
increase in protein content with severity of infestation was observed
in the varieties used, though I.A.R. 48 deviated from this pattern (p
< 0.05). Uninfested "Dan Borno" had the lowest protein content (1.4
%) and IAR-48 the highest (1.7%).Lowest lipidcontentwasfound in
slightlyinfested seeds ( 15.6 %) and the highest (22.6 %) for the
severely infested. A significant increase in lipid and ash contents of
the cowpeas with increase in severity of infestation was observed in
all the varieties (p < 0.05).The damage caused by C.maculatus to all
varieties of cowpea analysed did not significantly affect their
nutrient composition though they attract less market value than
uninfested varieties