Sustainable postharvest processing methods for millets: A review on its value‐added products

Abstract

AbstractIn the era of climate change, where major crops like rice, wheat, maize are struggling to survive, millets (small seeded cereals), have been emerged as sustainable food sources to end hunger and poverty. They can grow well in harsh climatic conditions and being used as a major source of human food. They are better sources of proteins, fiber, minerals, carbohydrates, vitamins, essential amino acids, phytochemicals, and antioxidants than major cereals. The health beneficial properties of millets have challenged food engineers and technologists to mechanize the processes and to develop different value‐added products from them. Although millets are rich in nutrients but they need to be processed to remove antinutrient factors and to increase their nutrients availability. Various food processing methods like decortication/dehulling, milling, soaking, germination, malting, fermentation, puffing, and so forth are being employed these days for the millets to make them into the edible form and fit for human consumption. However, the nutrients and the functional properties of the grains get influenced by these food‐processing techniques. The present review endeavors to provide the insights into the nutritional and antinutritional characteristics of millets, various traditional and modern processing methods, which are being adopted to ease their processing and utilization in preparation of nutritious food products. The involvement of value‐added products of millets in our diets can ensure food and nutritional security.Practical applicationsThe processing of millets with sustainable thermal or nonthermal processing methods will not only make them fit for consumption but also enhance its nutritive value by reducing its antinutritional factors. The utilization of millets in different product development and the involvement of its value‐added products in our diets can ensure food and nutritional security.