Millet Consumption Research Articles

Drivers of Millet Consumption Among School Aged Children in Central Tanzania

Background: Iron and zinc deficiency are common public health problems in low-income countries largely due to poor consumption of iron and zinc rich foods. It has previously been observed that 57% of school aged children (SAC) in Tanzania suffer from anemia. In addition, estimates indicate that over 25% of the population have inadequate zinc intake. Pearl millet is an example of a nutrient dense, resilient cereal crop, that can be promoted to diversify diets and combat iron and zinc deficiency. This study overall aim was to increase pearl millet consumption among school aged (5 – 12 years) children. As part of the study, we investigated, the drivers of food choice relating to pearl millet consumption.Methods: The study was a cross-sectional study of randomly selected households in Kongwa district, Dodoma region of Tanzania. In total, 128 women of reproductive age (20 – 49 years) were randomly selected for the study. A study questionnaire consisting of 66 items, was developed and validated. The constructs in the questionnaire were categorized in two groups: internal and external factors. Respondents were asked to indicate their level of agreement or disagreement with statements read to them by interviewers. The scores on intention and behavior constructs were based on the number of times caregivers intended to, or had fed their school going children with pearl millet in the referent month. Intention was considered high if it was higher than the median intention score of the group, and low if it was equal to or lower than the median scores. Correlations and multiple linear regressions were performed to measure association between constructs and to identify predictive constructs. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for score comparison.Results: There was a significant difference between intention and behavior among those who did not consume pearl millet (P = 0.003), and those who consumed pearl millet two or more times a week, in the same month (P = 0.01). Knowledge was significantly correlated with behavior identity (ρ = 0.58, P = 0.001), while health behavior identity was significantly correlated with intention (ρ = 0.31, P = 0.001). Intention of caregivers was significantly and positively correlated (ρ = 0.44, P = 0.001) with and predicted consumption of pearl millet (ρ = 0.87, P = 0.067).Conclusion: Increasing knowledge or awareness on nutritional benefits of pearl millet among caregivers may increase consumption of pearl millet by children of school going age.

SIFAT PASTA PATI MILLET (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) TERMODIFIKASI HEAT MOISTURE TREATMENT UNTUK PEMBUATAN SOHUN

Improve the consumption of millet to vermicelli promoted for food diversification. Millet starch less stable of stirring and heating. Starch modification can improve the quality. In this research to evaluate pasting character of millet starch modified by heat moisture treatment which suitable for vermicelli. Heat moisture treatment conditioned at 25% moisture content and heating 100, 130 and 150 0C for 3, 5 and 7 hours with oven. Crystalline and starch paste properties of modified starch were analyzed and then selected to vermicelli. The suitable starch for vermicelli which stable paste of stirring and heating and high gel strength. The results show modified starch with 100 °C for 7 hours has an ideal for vermicelli. Shown by lower peak viscosity and viscosity breakdown (2951 cP and 71 cP), high final viscosity (3695 cP).Keyword : Heat moisture treatment, millet starch, RVA, pasting properties

Iron-biofortified pearl millet consumption increases physical activity in Indian adolescent schoolchildren after a 6-month randomised feeding trial.

Fe deficiency has negative effects on voluntary physical activity (PA); however, the impact of consuming Fe-biofortified staple foods on voluntary PA remains unclear. This study compared the effects of consuming Fe-biofortified pearl millet or a conventional pearl millet on measures of voluntary PA in Indian schoolchildren (ages 12-16 years) during a 6-month randomised controlled feeding trial. PA data were collected from 130 children using Actigraph GT3X accelerometers for 6 d at baseline and endline. Minutes spent in light and in moderate-to-vigorous PA were calculated from accelerometer counts using Crouter's refined two-regression model for children. Mixed regression models adjusting for covariates were used to assess relationships between intervention treatment or change in Fe status and PA. Children who consumed Fe-biofortified pearl millet performed 22·3 (95 % CI 1·8, 42·8, P = 0·034) more minutes of light PA each day compared with conventional pearl millet. There was no effect of treatment on moderate-to-vigorous PA. The amount of Fe consumed from pearl millet was related to minutes spent in light PA (estimate 3·4 min/mg Fe (95 % CI 0·3, 6·5, P = 0·031)) and inversely related to daily sedentary minutes (estimate -5·4 min/mg Fe (95 % CI -9·9, -0·9, P = 0·020)). Consuming Fe-biofortified pearl millet increased light PA and decreased sedentary time in Indian schoolchildren in a dose-dependent manner.

Formulation and quality evaluation of finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) gaertn.) flour incorporated biscuits.

Replacing the ingredients used in biscuits with potential nutritive ingredients would be beneficial to improve the nutritional quality of the biscuits. Although, finger millet is highly nutritious when compared to other most commonly consumed cereals, limited availability of processed food products in ready-to-eat form has restricted the finger millet consumption. The present study was focused on formulating biscuits by replacing refined wheat flour with finger millet flour. Four biscuit samples were formulated by replacing different percentages of refined wheat flour with finger millet flour. Physicochemical and microbiological properties of the biscuits were evaluated. Nutritional and antioxidant properties of the biscuit, which was formulated by replacing 50% of refined wheat flour with finger millet flour, were evaluated and compared with a control biscuit which was prepared using refined wheat flour. The finger millet flour incorporated biscuit was nutritionally superior to the control biscuit in terms of dietary fibers and polyphenolic compounds including flavonoids. Besides, replacement of refined wheat flour with finger millet flour in biscuit formulation enhanced the antioxidant properties of the biscuit. Therefore, the finger millet flour incorporated biscuit can be considered as a good source of antioxidants.

Farmers\u2019 knowledge and perception of finger millet blast disease and its control practices in western Kenya

BackgroundFinger millet blast disease, caused by Pyricularia oryzae, is a serious constrain of finger millet production which is threatening global food security especially to the resource poor smallholder farmers in arid and semi-arid regions. The disease adversely affects finger millet production and consumption due to its wide distribution and destruction in all finger millet growing areas of southern Asia and eastern Africa. Here, we present a study that investigated the occurrence, impact, risk factors and farmers’ knowledge and perceptions of finger millet blast in Kenya.MethodsWe surveyed blast disease occurrence and interviewed farmers in Bungoma and Kisii Counties of Kenya during March–April 2019. Data were analysed using SPSS statistical program. Descriptive analysis was done by calculating means, percentages, frequencies, and standard errors. Comparative statistics, chi-square and t-tests, were used to evaluate differences existing among the farm characteristics and socio-demographics and the knowledge and perceptions of blast disease and its management practices.ResultsOur results show that blast disease is prevalent in all surveyed areas and adversely affects the productivity of the crop leading to poor yields. The disease occurrence varied from 92 to 98%, and was significantly higher in the major finger millet growing areas compared to the minor ones. Blast occurrence was associated with rainfall, altitude, planting density, intercropping and other farming practices. In all the surveyed regions, farmers had little knowledge about blast disease identification, its detection and spread. Further, the farmers’ awareness of blast disease control was inconsistent with established practices.ConclusionsOur results show mitigation of finger millet blast disease should aim at improving farmers’ adoption of best practices through development of acceptable blast-resistant finger millet varieties, use of sustainable disease management practices, fostering linkages and creating new partnerships in the production-supply chain and maintaining a functional seed system. Findings from this study provide essential insights for effective decision making and management of the disease. This is fundamental to sustainable and secure food and income for finger millet growing farmers in Kenya.

Consumer Preference for Foxtail and Little Millets in North Eastern Region of Karnataka

Finger millet was the most consumed among the urban consumers with 3.00 kg per month while other millets equally being consumed by the urban consumers, while foxtail millet, finger millet and little millet were consumed by rural consumers with higher consumption of foxtail millet. The monthly household food expenditure among the urban consumers, expenses made on groceries (40.21 percentage), expenditure on millet (15.33 percentage), purchasing minor millets were as nutritional and health benefits (96.67 percentage) followed by doctor’s advice (53.33 percentage) similarly, traditional staple food (93.33 percentage) followed by own production (80.00 percentage) for rural households. For each respondent, the part-worth’s were estimated using OLS regression analysis, rural consumers also found price to be the most important attribute accounting 26.11 per cent of relative importance, gaining awareness among consumers in consumption of millets for nutritional value and health benefits is improving gradually

Direct isotopic evidence for human millet consumption in the Middle Mumun period: Implication and importance of millets in early agriculture on the Korean Peninsula

It is generally believed that early agriculture on the Korean Peninsula was established during the Mumun period (1500–100 BC). While previous studies on agriculture in prehistoric Korea have relied on cultivated plant remains from archaeological sites, only a few isotopic studies have been conducted on Mumun individuals due to poor bone preservation during this period. Here, we measured bulk carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) stable isotope ratios as well as individual amino acid δ13C results (δ13CAA) of collagen from human (n = 7) and animal (n = 4) bones from three Mumun sites (Hwangsok-ri, Jungdo, Maedun Cave) in the central inland portion of South Korea. The aims of this study were to explore the contribution of plant foods to the human diet and to examine the type and extent of agriculture in the Mumun period. In contrast to the surrounding C3 vegetation, all the Mumun humans in this study had significantly 13C-enriched results, evidence for the consumption of C4 plants (foxtail and broomcorn millet). The δ13CAA data show that there was no consumption of freshwater or marine resources in the diet of the Mumun. These data indicate that C4 plants (millets) were the main dietary sources in central inland South Korea and that millet agriculture was fully established during the Middle Mumun period. This finding highlights the importance of millet cultivation during the Mumun period and provides a revaluation for the significance of millets in the development of early agriculture on the Korean Peninsula.

Millet Cultivation and Food Security in Tribal Region of Odisha, India: A Microlevel Analysis

As the world is facing challenges due to climate change and food insecurity, millet has proven its adaptivity to adverse agro-climates such as poor soil, minimal water, and significant weather variation. The present study attempts to assess the cultivation and consumption of millet in the tribal region. Hence, the tribally dominated Koraput district has been chosen as the study area. It is based on a primary survey of 150 millet cultivators. Although finger millet cultivation has been taken up by the farmers, it is mostly done for household consumption rather than sale at market. However, it is known that millet cultivation generates significant returns. Hence, farmers prefer to cultivate paddy instead of millet for commercial sales due to procurement and productivity issues, marketing problems. Furthermore, though millet along with rice is the staple food for a tribal household, rice consumption is highest in the food basket. This is prevalent as rice is being sold by the government at a very subsidised price. Hence, a proper strategy focussed on revamping millet cultivation and consumption would be beneficial in the fight against food insecurity and climate change, particularly in the tribal regions.

A Morphofunctional Hypothesis for Selection on EDAR V370A and Associated Elements of Sinodonty

The phenomenon of sinodonty refers to a suite of dental characters shared between East Asian and Native American populations, and most prominently to the presence of shoveled incisors. Although this syndrome is a conspicuous aspect of dental differentiation among extant human populations, elements of which have been recent subject of detailed genetic analysis, adaptive consequences of shoveled incisors and related features remains unclear. Here, I hypothesize that many of the associated differences in dentition (along with reduction in mandibular length and increases in salivary gland branching) arose in parallel with the opportunistic consumption of wild rice and millet in central and northern China, respectively, and with their subsequent domestication in the Upper Paleolithic. More efficient mastication and digestion of plant grains (and of other starchy foods obtained via broad-spectrum foraging) would potentially have been enabled by these traits, yielding greater rates of nutritional intake as wild crops were progressively domesticated. This functional hypothesis, although not mutually exclusive relative to other proposed selective factors, matches the estimated timeline in China for both origin and time to fixation of the associated allele (EDAR V370A), and is consistent with chronic energetic gain and fitness benefits independent of any assumptions for concurrent climatic conditions.

Isotopic evidence of millet consumption in the Middle Bronze Age of East-Central Europe

Broomcorn millet is one of the most important plants species in pre-history. It was first domesticated in China and subsequently spread across Eurasia becoming a significant staple crop. For a long time, the arrival of millet into Europe was assumed to have taken place in the Neolithic. However, this has recently been challenged, with new direct radiocarbon measurements on reportedly Neolithic charred millet grains in fact dating to the Middle Bronze Age.To aid in understanding the timing of millet's spread across East-Central Europe in the Bronze Age we present the results of over 120 new paired radiocarbon dates and stable isotope (δ13C and δ15N) measurements on human bone collagen from individuals across 33 archaeological sites in Poland and western Ukraine. In doing so we directly assess millet's role in the Bronze Age diets.Our results show a clear increase in bone collagen δ13C values from the middle 15th century BC onwards. This increase is rapid across the whole study area, occurring almost simultaneously with respect to the precision of our radiocarbon dates. Pilot stable isotope data for contemporary animals suggests that they were not foddered with millet and hence it was probably eaten directly by humans. Interestingly, individuals consuming millet appear to be exclusive to geographically upland regions compared to lowland ones. However, not all individuals from upland zone have δ13C values consistent with millet consumption. Based on the stable isotope evidence for upland millet consumption and the well documented evidence for connections between these people and those in the northern Carpathian Basin at this time, we posit that it is through this route, across the Carpathians, that millet was introduced into the region. An increase of its economic importance in Lesser Poland was plausibly caused by a significant growth in human populations.

Market Strategies for Promotion of Millets: A Critical Analysis on Assessment of Market Potential of Ready to Eat (RTE) and Ready to Cook (RTC) Millet Based Products in Hyderabad

Aim: To understand the millet product features influencing consumers buying behavior and to analyze the market potential for Ready to Eat (RTE) and Ready to Cook (RTC) millet-based products in Hyderabad.
 Study Design: Experimental Design.
 Place and Duration of Study: 6 months, Hyderabad.
 Methodology: It attained the objective of analyzing market potential of millets (RTE and RTC) and also to determine the product features influencing consumer buying behavior, for which 120 consumers and 30 dealers of millets were interviewed through structured questionnaires. The results revealed that the majority of the sampled consumers are already acquainted with the consumption of finger millet, sorghum and pearl millet mostly during the Breakfast, Dinner and Lunch hours. Frequency of consumption was found to be more as both RTE and RTC forms, (46%), followed by staple grains (29%), only RTC (13%) and RTE (12%). Among all the influencing factors ‘price’ holds first rank followed by taste (second), brand(third), promotional offers(fourth) and packaging(fifth). Application of one sample t-test was done which presents that the average monthly expenses on millets were ≥ Rs.250. From the dealers’ data, it was revealed that the average price per unit for RTE is Rs.90 for the sampled millet products which were higher than that of RTC, (Rs.79.06) and grain form (Rs.77.77). By conducting a comparative analysis between the annual expenses of the consumer sample and the annual sales of the dealer sample it was found that the market has a huge potential which can still be penetrated and explored to build a lucrative market for millets in future.

Consumer Awareness and Preference towards Finger Millet in Sri Lanka

Aim: This survey was conducted to evaluate Sri Lankans’ awareness and attitudes towards finger millet and preferences towards finger millet-based foods.
 Methodology: Pre-tested, self-administrated questionnaires were formulated in the three main languages used in Sri Lanka, namely Sinhala, English and Tamil. The questionnaires consisted of different sections to obtain data on respondents’ socio-demographic characteristics, health and food related lifestyles, attitudes towards finger millet and preferences towards finger millet-based food products. Printed and online forms were distributed covering all 25 districts from August to November in 2017 and after excluding incomplete responses 1016 respondents were selected for the study. Data were analyzed using Frequency analysis and Chi-square analysis.
 Results: Although the majority of the respondents (57.5%) were aware of the nutritional value of finger millet, a considerable percentage of the respondents have stated that they are not aware of the nutritional value. The majority of the respondents who were suffering from non-communicable diseases rarely added finger millet to their diets. The majority of the respondents (66.6%) liked to consume finger millet regardless of gender, age, educational level and residing district. However, limited availability of finger millet flour incorporated food products in ready-to-eat form has restricted their regular finger millet consumption. Only 33.9% of the respondents were aware of the finger millet flour incorporated food products currently available in the local market. The majority of the respondents wished to purchase finger millet flour incorporated novel ready-to-eat products to increase their finger millet consumption.
 Conclusion: The findings evidently indicated the importance of educating the general public on nutritional value and various health benefits of finger millet. Further, the findings revealed the necessity of effective advertising and promoting approaches for the finger millet flour incorporated products currently available in the local market and reflected market opportunities for novel finger millet flour incorporated ready-to-eat products.

Occurrence and Exposure Assessment of Aflatoxin B1 and Ochra-toxin A in Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) from Tunisia

Background: Ochratoxin A (OTA) and Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) are toxic secondary metabolites produced by certain mold species. In this primarily survey, we examined the OTA and AFB1 contamination of pearl millet grains distributed in Tunisia. Methods: Twenty-five pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) samples from different regions of Tunisia were analyzed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with fluorescence detector in order to evaluate the contamination with of AFB1 and OTA. Statistical tests were performed with XLSTAT 2018. Results: AFB1 and OTA were detected in 32 and 28% millet samples, respectively. Mean amounts of these mycotoxins in the contaminated samples were of 24.54±17.54 µg/kg for OTA and 22.72±23.09 µg/kg for AFB1. Approximately, 28 and 24% of analyzed samples were found above the European Union limits for AFB1 and OTA, respectively. The estimated daily intake of OTA and AFB1 were 3.76 and 3.89 ng/kg b.w. per day, respectively. No significantly (p>0.05) difference in OTA and AFB1 contamination rate was found between samples taken from different regions. Conclusion: Consumption of millet in Tunisia might be an important contributing factor to the risk of dietary exposure to OTA and AFB1

Social structuration in medieval rural society based on stable isotope analysis of dietary habits and mobility patterns: San Juan de Momoitio (Biscay, north Iberian Peninsula)

A total of 93 individuals, of which 34 were infants, from San Juan de Momoitio graveyard (9th to 12th centuries) were analyzed to explore social changes in a peasant community in the northern Iberian Peninsula within the historical evolution of the Middle Ages. The study consisted of human palaeodiet characterization and mobility patterns based on δ13C, δ15N, δ18O, and 87Sr/86Sr isotope analyses. Carbon and nitrogen values showed a staple diet derived from husbandry based on the consumption of animal protein (pig, poultry and sheep/goat) and cereals (millet and wheat). The increase in the consumption of millet rather than wheat during the High Middle Ages is noteworthy. The change in dietary pattern coincided with the transformation of the landscape from dispersed farmsteads to the foundation of a village, leading to landscape reorganization. This new situation resulted in the gradual abandonment of San Juan de Momoitio church and the graveyard. Oxygen and strontium isotopes show that most individuals were of local origin except for only two individuals. Strontium isotopes also recorded the population distribution after the village foundation and the subsequent landscape arrangement, reflecting the relative movement of individuals towards higher hillsides. Additionally, the oxygen isotopes of teeth recorded climate changes throughout the time of the settlement, suggesting variation from warmer climate conditions during the first occupation period towards colder climate conditions in the last period. Nitrogen and oxygen isotope composition also contributed to a better understanding of breastfeeding and weaning practices affecting infant peasants in the Middle Ages.

Economic Diversification Supported the Growth of Mongolia\u2019s Nomadic Empires

Populations in Mongolia from the late second millennium B.C.E. through the Mongol Empire are traditionally assumed, by archaeologists and historians, to have maintained a highly specialized horse-facilitated form of mobile pastoralism. Until recently, a dearth of direct evidence for prehistoric human diet and subsistence economies in Mongolia has rendered systematic testing of this view impossible. Here, we present stable carbon and nitrogen isotope measurements of human bone collagen, and stable carbon isotope analysis of human enamel bioapatite, from 137 well-dated ancient Mongolian individuals spanning the period c. 4400 B.C.E. to 1300 C.E. Our results demonstrate an increase in consumption of C4 plants beginning at c. 800 B.C.E., almost certainly indicative of millet consumption, an interpretation supported by archaeological evidence. The escalating scale of millet consumption on the eastern Eurasian steppe over time, and an expansion of isotopic niche widths, indicate that historic Mongolian empires were supported by a diversification of economic strategies rather than uniform, specialized pastoralism.

Intensification in pastoralist cereal use coincides with the expansion of trans-regional networks in the Eurasian Steppe

The pace of transmission of domesticated cereals, including millet from China as well as wheat and barley from southwest Asia, throughout the vast pastoralist landscapes of the Eurasian Steppe (ES) is unclear. The rich monumental record of the ES preserves abundant human remains that provide a temporally deep and spatially broad record of pastoralist dietary intake. Calibration of human δ13C and δ15N values against isotope ratios derived from co-occurring livestock distinguish pastoralist consumption of millet from the products of livestock and, in some regions, identify a considerable reliance by pastoralists on C3 crops. We suggest that the adoption of millet was initially sporadic and consumed at low intensities during the Bronze Age, with the low-level consumption of millet possibly taking place in the Minusinsk Basin perhaps as early as the late third millennium cal BC. Starting in the mid-second millennium cal BC, millet consumption intensified dramatically throughout the ES with the exception of both the Mongolian steppe where millet uptake was strongly delayed until the end of first millennium cal BC and the Trans-Urals where instead barley or wheat gained dietary prominence. The emergence of complex, trans-regional political networks likely facilitated the rapid transfer of cultivars across the steppe during the transition to the Iron Age.

Flour and Dough Quality of Millets and Their Suitability for Preparation of Traditional South Indian Roti

Background: India is a land of millets. Millets are the most nutritious grains. India contributes to world’s 35% production but the consumption of millet and their products is limited. Objectives: The present study is to determine the flour and dough quality of different milletsand their Suitability for Preparation of Traditional South Indian Rotis (viz., Finger Millet, Kodo Millet, Foxtail Millet, Pearl Millet, Barnyard Millet, Little Millet, Proso Millet and Sorghum). Materials and Methods: Eight varieties of millets were procured from local market of Kolar and utilized for the study. Results: Among the eight varieties millets roti, the Little Millet roti scored highest among all and was at par with control sample. The appearance of Sorghum roti and flavor of foxtail millet roti was found as on par with the control sample. Conclusion: Hence it can be concluded from the sensory evaluation of among the eight millets roti sam-ples overall acceptability was found in Little Millet roti. Key Words: Millets, bulk density, Swelling capacity, Rollability,

Opportunities for Enhancing Production, Utilization and Marketing of Finger Millet in Africa

The world is faced with the challenge to produce more food to feed a projected 9 billion people worldwide; including 2.5 billion in Africa. Just a few “mega-crops” currently feed the world, with rice, wheat and maize providing 60 percent of the total population’s energy intake. Finger millet belongs to a group of secondary crops that provide another 25 percent of the world’s food energy. Finger millet is adaptable to diverse agro-ecological conditions, has beneficial nutritional properties and outstanding agronomic attributes as a subsistence food crop; therefore, it holds promise for the future of food and nutrition security in Africa and around the world. Despite these desirable attributes, only about 3 million tones are produced globally each year. Common production constraints include low soil fertility, Striga weed infestation, and pest and disease pressure, particularly finger millet blast disease, which can cause up to 50% yield loss. Low rates of finger millet production are compounded by a lack of stable market outlets and inadequate product development strategies. Recent research efforts in Africa and South Asia, however, have the potential of alleviating these production constraints. Opportunities now exist for enhanced technology development, which may increase production, product development, value addition, marketing and consumption of finger millet. Capitalizing on these opportunities could ensure that finger millet, as a “novel” crop, increases food and nutrition security in Africa and around the world. Keywords: Finger millet, technology development, food and nutrition security

A possible role of biogenic silica in esophageal cancer in North China?

Certain areas in North China have the highest incidence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in the world, which has not seen convincing explanation by any risk factor yet. Biogenic silica in millet bran was linked to ESCC in the early 1980s but the hypothesis was largely dismissed because of the lack of geographic correlation between millet consumption and ESCC. Later epidemiological studies disclosed the linkage of wheat consumption in North China to ESCC instead. Now, we hypothesize silica phytoliths (silicified bodies that have definite shapes) from wheat chaff are a major etiologic factor of ESCC in this region. This hypothesis is supported by the potentially high abundance of silica phytoliths on the bracts of wheat (Triticum aestivum) in North China due to favorable Si-accumulation genotype, arid climate, and siallitic soil with bioavailable Si. These silica phytoliths can contaminate wheat flour and cause repeated local injuries in the esophagus and stimulate proliferation by providing anchorage.

Development of Ready to Cook (RTC) Edible Coated Foxtail Millet Pulao Mix

Foxtail millet (Setaria italica) consumption remains restricted only to certain parts of the population due to lack of information on its potential role in value addition and also in the prevention of type 2 diabetes and others. The unavailability of ready-to-cook food products from foxtail millet also constricts its usage. Foxtail millet is traditionally dehusked before consumption. Dehusking is essential because the outer layer is fibrous, tough and causes irritation while swallowing. However in the present study, to compensate the losses of phytochemicals present in the outer husk, edible coatings (gum acacia, fenugreek seeds, curry leaf and aloe vera) were applied on the dehusked grain. Further, a Ready-to-Cook (RTC) pulao mix was standardized using edible coated foxtail millet, dehydrated vegetables, herbs and spices. Controls used were rice and uncoated foxtail millet. Products were evaluated organoleptically by semi-trained panellists. The highest overall acceptability was for the control rice pulao mix (7.8) followed by curry leaf coated mix (7.3), uncoated mix (7.1), fenugreek seeds coated mix (7.0), gum acacia coated mix (6.9) and then aloe vera coated mix (6.8). The shelf life of pulao mix was also studied. Samples were packed in High Density Poly Ethylene (HDPE) pouches and stored at ambient conditions for three months. No microbial load was found in all the fresh samples. In both the controls- rice and uncoated millet, yeast was found at the 90th day of storage whereas no yeast was found in the coated samples