Abstract
The effects of sun-drying cowpea seeds for three hours on cement (CS), wood (WS), and corrugated iron sheet (CIS) surfaces and packaging separately in polyethene and jute bags were studied. Moisture-gain, and resistance to insect and mold damage were monitored monthly for six months, while proximate analyses on day zero and at the 6th month were conducted. Results showed that the three-hour sun-drying of cowpea seeds on reflective surfaces (CIS and CS) enhanced the rate of moisture-reabsorption during storage and consequently, the degree of mold and insect damage irrespective of the packaging material employed. Crude fat, fiber and ash contents, unlike protein and moisture contents, remained virtually constant (p ≤ 0.05). In this study, the wood surface and polyethene bag were the most preferred treatments to store sun-dried cowpea seeds for about 5.7 months.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Emebiri LC (1991) Inheritance of protein content in seeds of selected crosses of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata). J Sci Food Agric 54: 1–7.
IITA (1993) Bruchid-resistant Cowpea varieties. Research Highlights for 1992 (Ibadan, Nigeria): 49.
Awonorin SO, Bamiro FO (1993) Sun-and hot air-drying of soyabeans: a comparative study of selected quality parameters and storage of the oil obtained by solvent extraction. Nig Food J 11: 84–87.
Igbeka JC (1994) Sampling techniques and how to assess losses due to pest and other organisms. Lecture delivered at Trainee Workshop on Agricultural Development project, 13–24 June 1994, Ibadan, Nigeria.
AOAC (1984) Official Methods of Analysis, 14th edn. Washington, DC: Association of Official Analytical Chemists.
Miller I, Freund JE (1987) Probability and Statistics for Engineers, 3rd edn. New Delhi, India: Prentice Hall.
Abu JD, Arogba SS, Ugwu FM (1998) The effects of post-harvest handling on physical, chemical and functional properties of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) seed. J Sci Food Agric (in press).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Arogba, S., Ugwu, F. & Abu, J. The effects of sun-drying surfaces and packaging materials on the storability of cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata) seed. Plant Foods Hum Nutr 53, 113–120 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008059817139
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1008059817139