author(s)
Jacobs Mobolade Adesina, Yallappa Rajashekar, Thomas Inomisan Ofuya and Michael Olufemi Ashamo

abstract
Control of insect pests attacking stored food grain has become a major concern in the developing nations to ensure food security. A study was carried out to explore the biochemical composition and insecticidal potential of Mitracarpus villosus as grains protectant for the post-harvest protection of stored grains. Results revealed that the plant possess insecticidal properties as the fumigant and repellent activity was significantly (p<0.005) influenced by dosage, insect species and duration of exposure. It was also observed that in all the treatments Tribolium castaneum was more tolerant to the plant active fractions than other insects. The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of Methyl 20-methyl-heneicosanoate, Heptadecanoic acid, Tetracosanoic acid, 2-Bromododecane, 7-Hexadecenioc acid and Nonane, 2, 6-dimethyl as the principal chemical compounds present in the sub active fractions. The bioactive compounds did not elicited any adverse effect on seed viability. In conclusion, the research findings reveal that the plant could be successfully developed as a natural biofumigant and incorporated as a promising grain protectant for the control of storage beetle infestations.