Nutritional Composition of Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum) Seeds Treated with Different Concentrations of Dichlorvos Pesticide

Abstract

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) is a nutritionally important cereal that is susceptible to insect infestation during storage. Dichlorvos is commonly used to control storage pests; however, its application may influence the nutritional composition of treated grains. This study evaluated the nutritional composition of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) seeds treated with different concentrations of dichlorvos (DDVP) pesticide. A preliminary survey identified DDVP as the pesticide most commonly used by the sampled grain merchants for pearl millet storage. Treatment solutions containing 0.25, 0.50, and 1.00 mL of DDVP were separately diluted in 250 mL of distilled water and applied to 1 kg portions of pearl millet seeds, representing low-, medium-, and high-concentration treatments, respectively. An untreated sample served as the control. After air-drying, the samples were stored for 30 days and analysed for vitamin, mineral, proximate, and amino acid composition using standard procedures. Vitamin A decreased significantly in the low- and high-concentration samples but increased in the medium-concentration sample, while vitamin C decreased significantly in the low- and high-concentration samples. Vitamins B6 and E did not differ significantly among the samples. Phosphorus, calcium, iron, and zinc decreased significantly in all treated samples, while magnesium decreased significantly at the medium and high concentrations. Protein and moisture contents decreased, carbohydrate content increased, and ash and lipid contents showed no significant differences. Most measured amino acid concentrations were lower in the treated samples. These findings indicate that DDVP treatment may alter the nutritional composition of stored pearl millet seeds. Further studies should assess pesticide residues and the biochemical mechanisms associated with these changes.