Effect of the Prevalent Insect Species of Yam Chips on Consumers’ Acceptability of Yam Paste

A survey was carried out between March and August 2010 to identify insect pests of stored yam chips in Ogbomoso Metropolis, Nigeria. Dried yam chips were randomly obtained from old stocks in 6 local markets within the metropolis on monthly basis. There was a significant (P < 0.05) difference in insect abundance based on month of sampling and insect species. Dinoderus porcellus (Coleoptera: Bostrychidae) was the most abundant species. Other species encountered were Araecerus fasciculatus (Degeer) (Coleoptera: Anthribidae), Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) and Tribolium castaneum Herbst (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). When chips were infested with Dinoderus porcellus and stored for 3 months, reconstituted thick paste (amala) was made from the flour and was evaluated for consumers’ acceptability. Sensory characteristics such as odour, colour, texture, appearance, taste and overall acceptability were significantly (P < 0.05) affected when compared with the paste prepared from the uninfested chips.