Abstract
The enormously increasing population is raising needs for solving the problem of food scarcity. Researchers and nutritionists are working hard to find the cheaper and larger sources of nutrients to deal with this scarcity. Pearl millet, a staple crop is economically feasible for poorer section of the world’s population and works are going on for the improvement in the bio-accessibility of the minerals for increasing its utilization. Researches are proving pearl millet comparably better in nutritional quality with high protein content, energy, minerals like iron and zinc, vitamins, dietary fibre, less glycemic index and phytochemicals like antioxidants. New advanced techniques applied for post-harvest technology and value addition are giving out more products of wide acceptance in rural as well as urban areas. In relation with the nutritional quality, convenience of food uptake and other sensory properties, many food processing technologies have been developed. These techniques are widely used now-a-days and are milling, decortication, soaking, germination/malting, fermentation etc. These processes increase the nutritional value and are very effective in dealing with undernourishment problem and other food and health management practices. A large scale implementation of these technologies or commercialized use will increase the ease of adopting their products at wide scale. This type of commercialization will not only deal with the undernourishment problem but also will earn great profits for all the persons in chain from producer like farmers to the consumers but will require policy-support and campaign for health, ecological sustainability and nutritional benefits of the crop. So this review focusses on pearl millet’s high nutritional aspects, the post-harvest techniques potent for its improvement at large scale and the related health benefits to support the need at rural as well as urban level.
Highlights
Today’s scenario is facing environmental as well as global issues like variation in climatic conditions, scarcity of water, increment in the birth rates i.e. snowballing population and other social plus economic impact and these are expected to have negative effects on agriculture and food security over the world
Hybrids of pearl millet mature in 80-85 days in summers with irrigation accompanied with application of 60-80 kg per hectare of nitrogen giving an output of 4000-5000 kg per hectare of yield
Carbohydrates are mainly stored in the form of starch in millets, and consist of amylose, a polymer with straight chain and amylopectin, polymer with branched chain (Malleshi and Klopfenstein, 1998; Odusola, 2013). 56%-65% kernel is comprised of starch which has 20%-25% amylose and range of sugar which is free in the grain is 2.6% - 2.8%
Summary
Today’s scenario is facing environmental as well as global issues like variation in climatic conditions, scarcity of water, increment in the birth rates i.e. snowballing population and other social plus economic impact and these are expected to have negative effects on agriculture and food security over the world. Millets constitute principal energy source, proteins, minerals and vitamins for poor society in the regions with harsh conditions These grains are dragging more attention from developing and underdeveloped countries in utilization terms as food and in developed countries for their great potential in production of biofilms and bioethanol (Li et al, 2008). They have nutraceutical properties and provide health benefits like cancer prevention, Soumya Rathore et al.: Millet Grain Processing, Utilization and Its Role in Health Promotion: A Review tumor incidence reduction, cardiovascular disease, low blood pressure, cholesterol problem, fat absorption rate, heart disease, gastric problems, and gastro-intestinal bulk supply (Truswell 2002; Gupta et al, 2012). This study takes under consideration the various techniques which can be applied to improve the nutritional status of pearl millet and its utilization in diet due to its beneficial aspects in sense of dealing with health and diseases
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
