Influence of pest infestation, type of packages and different storage periods on seeds and essential oil composition of Coriander, Coriandrum sativum L. Family: Apiaceae

Coriander ( Coriandrum sativum L.) is a very popular medicinal plant that belongs to Apiaceae, which is widely used as a spice and also in pharmacy and the industry of food. Coriandrum sativum is cultivated for the seeds (fruits) which contain essential oil, fatty acids, coumarins, polyphenols, and flavonoids. Nowadays, the fruits exhibit internally carminative, spasmolytic, and galactagogic effects in many disorders. The current article focuses on coriander oil as affected by plant injuries with pre & post-harvest insects, storage and packing. Experiments were conducted at Qalubiya and Menoufia governorates as well as the laboratories of the Plant Protection Research Institute, Dokki, Giza. The obtained results indicated that during April and May months, there was high infestation with aphid stages at the two governorates in semi-fresh coriander, November month recorded the highest infestation of the examined stored insects on coriander dry seed, while the lowest numbers were recorded in July, September & October months occupied intermediate status, moreover, Cigarette beetle recorded the highest numbers, while Almond moth recorded the least numbers. November month recorded the highest losses in coriander seed weights, while the lowest losses were recorded in July month, from storage periods quality and constituents of essential oil, germination of seeds and yield affected by insect infestation, packing at different types of packages.