Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Post-harvest Treatments and Storage of Millets

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Handbook of Millets - Processing, Quality, and Nutrition Status

  • 310 Accesses

Abstract

Prior to storage, millets undergo different pretreatments such as drying, threshing and winnowing and other post-harvest processing methods for the effective storage of the grains. Various storage methods have been explored to feasibly store the millet grains. Bin/silo storage, hermetic storage and modified atmospheric (MA) storage have been identified to be the novel techniques for efficient storage, providing protection in terms of overall quality. This chapter discusses about the various storage techniques and the changes in compositional quality of millets during storage, as well as conventional and novel post-harvest treatment methods such as thermal treatment, irradiation, microwave treatment and biological treatments such as fermentation to enrich nutrient value and bioavailability and to enhance storage stability of millets and millet products.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 149.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Adebowale K, Afolabi T, Olu-Owolabi B (2005) Hydrothermal treatments of Finger millet (Eleusine coracana) starch. Food Hydrocoll 19(6):974–983

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ali MA, El Tinay AH, Abdalla AH (2003) Effect of fermentation on the in vitro protein digestibility of pearl millet. Food Chem 80(1):51–54

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Amadou I, Gounga ME, Shi Y-H, Le G-W (2014) Fermentation and heat-moisture treatment induced changes on the physicochemical properties of foxtail millet (Setaria italica) flour. Food Bioprod Process 92(1):38–45

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ambavane A, Sawardekar S, Sawantdesai S, Gokhale N (2015) Studies on mutagenic effectiveness and efficiency of gamma rays and its effect on quantitative traits in finger millet (Eleusine coracana L. Gaertn). J Radiat Res Appl Sci 8(1):120–125

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Antony U, Chandra T (1997) Microbial population and biochemical changes in fermenting finger millet (Eleusine coracana). World J Microbiol Biotechnol 13(5):533–537

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Arora P, Sehgal S, Kawatra A (2002) The role of dry heat treatment in improving the shelf life of pearl millet flour. Nutr Health 16(4):331–336

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Babarinde SA, Adeyemo YA (2010) Toxic and repellent properties of Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal) A. Richard on Tribolium castaneum Herbst infesting stored millets, Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. Arch Phytopathol Plant Protect 43(8):810–816. https://doi.org/10.1080/03235400802246952

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beta T, Ndolo VU (2018) Postharvest technologies. In: Sorghum and millets: chemistry, technology, and nutritional attributes. Woodhead Publishing, Cambridge. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-811527-5.00004-6

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Bhatt VM, Dabhi MN, Rathod PJ (2017) Changes in the moisture content, free FFA and malondialdehyde of bajra flour during storage. Adv Food Sci Eng 1:68. https://doi.org/10.22606/afse.2017.12002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bookwalter G, Lyle S, Warner K (1987) Millet processing for improved stability and nutritional quality without functionality changes. J Food Sci 52(2):399–402

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Boora P, Kapoor AC (1985) Influence of storage on the protein quality of pearl millet flour. J Sci Food Agric 36:59–62

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bora P, Ragaee S, Marcone M (2019) Characterisation of several types of millets as functional food ingredients. Int J Food Sci Nutr 70(6):714–724. https://doi.org/10.1080/09637486.2019.1570086

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Caliboso, F. M., & Sabio, G. C. (2010). Hermetic storage of grains in the tropics. JIRCAS International Symposium Series 7 59–72

    Google Scholar 

  • Cataldo F, Angelini G, Iglesias-Groth S, Manchado A (2011) Solid state radiolysis of amino acids in an astrochemical perspective. Radiat Phys Chem 80(1):57–65

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chandrasekara A, Naczk M, Shahidi F (2012) Effect of processing on the antioxidant activity of millet grains. Food Chem 133(1):1–9

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cheftel J-C (1977) Chemical and nutritional modifications of food proteins due to processing and storage. In: Food proteins. AVI Publishing Co. Inc, Westport, CT

    Google Scholar 

  • Dhankher N, Chauhan B (1987) Effect of temperature and fermentation time on phytic acid and polyphenol content of rabadi—a fermented pearl millet food. J Food Sci 52(3):828–829

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dharmaraj U, Malleshi N (2011) Changes in carbohydrates, proteins and lipids of finger millet after hydrothermal processing. LWT - Food Sci Technol 44(7):1636–1642

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dikkala PK, Hymavathi T, Roberts P, Sujatha M (2018) Effect of heat treatment and gamma irradiation on the total bacterial count of selected millet grains (Jowar, Bajra and Foxtail). Int J Curr Microbiol App Sci 7(2):1293–1300

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • El Hag ME, El Tinay AH, Yousif NE (2002) Effect of fermentation and dehulling on starch, total polyphenols, phytic acid content and in vitro protein digestibility of pearl millet. Food Chem 77(2):193–196

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elyas SH, El Tinay AH, Yousif NE, Elsheikh EA (2002) Effect of natural fermentation on nutritive value and in vitro protein digestibility of pearl millet. Food Chem 78(1):75–79

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Falade KO, Kolawole TA (2013) Effect of γ-irradiation on colour, functional and physicochemical properties of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L) R. Br.] cultivars. Food Bioprocess Technol 6(9):2429–2438

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gahukar RT (1989) Insect pests of millets and their management: a review. Trop Pest Manag 35(4):382–391. https://doi.org/10.1080/09670878909371411

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goyal P, Chugh LK, Berwal MK (2017) Storage effects on flour quality of commonly consumed cereals. J Appl Nat Sci 9:551

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hedimbi M, Ananias NK, Kandawa-schulz M (2012) J Res Agric 1(1):88–92

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoseney RC, et al (1983) Barriers to increased utilization of pearl millet in developing countries [Africa and in the semiarid regions of India, milling and storage]. Cereal Foods World 28:392

    Google Scholar 

  • Hulse JH, Laing EM, Pearson OE et al (1980) Sorghum and the millets: their composition and nutritive value. Academic Press, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Inyang C, Zakari U (2008) Effect of germination and fermentation of pearl millet on proximate, chemical and sensory properties of instant “Fura”-a Nigerian cereal food. Pak J Nutr 7(1):9–12

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jayas DS, Jeyamkondan S (2002) Modified atmosphere storage of grains meats fruits and vegetables. Biosyst Eng 82:235–251. https://doi.org/10.1006/bioe.2002.0080

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jurjevic Z, Wilson ÆJP, Wilson ÆDM, Casper HH (2007) Changes in fungi and mycotoxins in pearl millet under controlled storage conditions. Mycopathologia 164:229–239. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11046-007-9042-7

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kadlag RV, Chavan JK, Kachare DP (1995) Effects of seed treatments and storage on the changes in lipids of pearl millet meal. Plant Foods Hum Nutr 47:279–285

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kajuna S (2001) MILLET Post-harvest operations-post-harvest compendium. FAO, Rome

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaur P, Purewal SS, Sandhu KS, Kaur M, Salar RK (2019) Millets: a cereal grain with potent antioxidants and health benefits. J Food Measur Character 13(1):793–806. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11694-018-9992-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar M, Sarma P, Kayang MSDH, Raghuwanshi R (2017) Assessment of chemically characterised Gaultheria fragrantissima Wall. essential oil and its major component as safe plant based preservative for millets against fungal, aflatoxin contamination and lipid peroxidation during storage. J Food Sci Technol 55:111. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-017-2842-y

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar M, Dwivedy AK, Sarma P et al (2019) Chemically characterised Artemisia nilagirica (Clarke) Pamp. essential oil as a safe plant-based preservative and shelf-life enhancer of millets against fungal and aflatoxin contamination and lipid peroxidation. Plant Biosyst – An Int J Deal with all Asp Plant Biol 0:1–8. https://doi.org/10.1080/11263504.2019.1587539

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lai CC, Varriano-Marston E (1980) Changes in pearl millet meal during storage. Cereal Chem 57:275

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lale NES, Yusuf BA (2000) Potential of varietal resistance and Piper guineense seed oil to control infestation of stored millet seeds and processed products by Tribolium castaneum (Herbst). J Stored Prod Res 37(1):63–75. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-474X(00)00007-2

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lei V, Jakobsen M (2004) Microbiological characterization and probiotic potential of koko and koko sour water, African spontaneously fermented millet porridge and drink. J Appl Microbiol 96(2):384–397

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mahajan S, Chauhan BM (1987) Phytic acid and extractable phosphorus of pearl millet flour as affected by natural lactic acid fermentation. J Sci Food Agric 41(4):381–386

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mahmoud NS, Awad SH, Madani RM, Osman FA, Elmamoun K, Hassan AB (2016) Effect of γ radiation processing on fungal growth and quality characteristics of millet grains. Food Sci Nutr 4(3):342–347

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Manjula K, Bhagath Y, Nagalakshmi K (2015) Effect of radiation processing on bioactive components of finger millet flour (Eleusine coracana L.). Int Food Res J 22(2):556

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mannuramath M, Yenagi N (2015) Optimization of hydrothermal treatment for little millet grains (Panicum miliare). J Food Sci Technol 52(11):7281–7288

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mobolade AJ, Bunindro N, Sahoo D, Rajashekar Y (2019) Traditional methods of food grains preservation and storage in Nigeria and India. Ann Agric Sci 64(2):196–205. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aoas.2019.12.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mohamed EA, Mohamed Ahmed IA, Yagoub AEA, Babiker EE (2010) Effects of radiation process on total protein and amino acids composition of raw and processed pearl millet flour during storage. Int J Food Sci Technol 45(5):906–912

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mustapha MB, Bousselmi M, Jerbi T, Bettaïeb NB, Fattouch S (2014) Gamma radiation effects on microbiological, physico-chemical and antioxidant properties of Tunisian millet (Pennisetum Glaucum LR Br.). Food Chem 154:230–237

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Naveena NL, Subramanya S, Setty S, Palanimuthu V (2017) Grain storage losses in the traditional tribal settlements of Biligirirangana Hills, Karnataka, India. J Asia Pac Entomol 20(2):678–685. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aspen.2017.04.002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Negi T, Solanki D (2015) Tradition grain storage structures and practices followed by farm families of Kumaon Region in Uttarakhand. Indian Res J Ext Educ 15(4):137–141

    Google Scholar 

  • Nithya K, Ramachandramurty B, Krishnamoorthy V (2007) Effect of processing methods on nutritional and anti-nutritional qualities of hybrid (COHCU-8) and traditional (CO7) pearl millet varieties of India. J Biol Sci 7:643–647

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nukenine EEN (2010) Stored product protection in Africa: past, present and future. Julius-Kühn-Archiv 425:26–41. https://doi.org/10.5073/jka.2010.425.177

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Preethi K, Ganapathy S, Bhuvaneswari K (2016) Hermetic storage of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor). In: Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Controlled Atmosphere and Fumigation in Stored Products (CAF2016), pp 274–279

    Google Scholar 

  • Raghavender CR, Reddy BN, Shobharani G (2007) Aflatoxin contamination of pearl millet during field and storage conditions with reference to stage of grain maturation and insect damage. Mycotoxin Res 23(4):199–209

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rai K, Gowda C, Reddy B, Sehgal S (2008) Adaptation and potential uses of sorghum and pearl millet in alternative and health foods. Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf 7(4):320–396

    Google Scholar 

  • Reddy CK, Viswanath KK (2019) Impact of γ-irradiation on physicochemical characteristics, lipoxygenase activity and antioxidant properties of finger millet. J Food Sci Technol 56(5):2651–2659

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Sahay KM, Singh KK (1996) Unit operations of agricultural processing. Vikas Publishing House Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi

    Google Scholar 

  • Saio K (1980) Nutritional losses in storage and processing of legumes [Soybeans]. In: Nutrition and food science; present knowledge and utilization. Springer, New York, NY

    Google Scholar 

  • Saleh ASM, Zhang Q, Chen J, Shen Q (2013) Millet grains: nutritional quality, processing, and potential health benefits. Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf 12(3):281–295. https://doi.org/10.1111/1541-4337.12012

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sharma A, Kapoor A (1996) Levels of antinutritional factors in pearl millet as affected by processing treatments and various types of fermentation. Plant Foods Hum Nutr 49(3):241–252

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shehu K, Bello MT (2011) Effect of environmental factors on the growth of aspergillus species associated with stored millet grains in Sokoto. Nigerian J Basic Appl Sci 19:218–223

    Google Scholar 

  • Shobana S, Malleshi N (2007) Preparation and functional properties of decorticated finger millet (Eleusine coracana). J Food Eng 79(2):529–538

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Singh M, Adedeji AA (2017) Characterization of hydrothermal and acid modified proso millet starch. LWT - Food Sci Technol 79:21–26

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Siroha AK, Sandhu KS (2017) Effect of heat processing on the antioxidant properties of pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) cultivars. J Food Measur Character 11(2):872–878

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sripriya G, Antony U, Chandra TS (1997) Changes in carbohydrate, free amino acids, organic acids, phytate and HCl extractability of minerals during germination and fermentation of finger millet (Eleusine coracana). Food Chem 58:345–350. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0308-8146(96)00206-3

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sun Q, Gong M, Li Y, Xiong L (2014) Effect of dry heat treatment on the physicochemical properties and structure of proso millet flour and starch. Carbohydr Polym 110:128–134

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sundaramari M, Ganesh S, Kannan GS, Seethalakshmi M, Gopalsamy K (2011) Indigenous grain storage structures of south Tamil Nadu. Indian J Tradit Knowl 10(2):380–383

    Google Scholar 

  • Suzuki T, Kim SJ, Mukasa Y, Morishita T, Noda T, Takigawa S, Hashimoto N, Yamauchi H, Matsuura-Endo C (2010) Effects of lipase, lipoxygenase, peroxidase and free fatty acids on volatile compound found in boiled buckwheat noodles. J Sci Food Agric 90(7):1232–1237. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.3958

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tanzubil PB, Yakubu EA (1997) Insect pests of millet in northern Ghana. 1. farmers’ perceptions and damage potential. Int J Pest Manag 43(2):133–136. https://doi.org/10.1080/096708797228825

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tao J, Rao R, Liuzzo J (1993) Microwave heating for rice bran stabilization. J Microw Power Electromagn Energy 28(3):156–164

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor JRN, Belton PS, Beta T, Duodu KG (2014) Increasing the utilisation of sorghum, millets and pseudocereals: developments in the science of their phenolic phytochemicals, biofortification and protein functionality. J Cereal Sci 59(3):257–275. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcs.2013.10.009

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Thapa S, Tamang JP (2004) Product characterization of kodo ko jaanr: fermented finger millet beverage of the Himalayas. Food Microbiol 21(5):617–622

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vachanth MC, Subbu Rathinam KM, Preethi R, Loganathan M (2010) Controlled atmoshpheric storage techniques for safe storage processed little millet. Acad J Entomol 3(1):13–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Varsha R (2017) Storage stability of bio fortified pearl millet flour. Int J Agric Innov Res 5(5):709–713

    Google Scholar 

  • Villers P, Navarro S, de Bruin T (2010) New applications of hermetic storage for grain storage and transport. Julius-Kühn-Archiv 425:446–452

    Google Scholar 

  • Villers P, De Bruin T, Navarro S (2006) Development and applications of the hermetic storage technology. In: 9th International Working Conference on Stored Product Protection, pp 719–729

    Google Scholar 

  • Waongo A, Traore F, Ba MN, Dabire-Binso C, Murdock LL, Baributsa D, Sanon A (2019) Effects of PICS bags on insect pests of sorghum during long-term storage in Burkina Faso. J Stored Prod Res 83:261–266. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jspr.2019.07.010

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Williams SB, Murdock LL, Baributsa D (2017) Sorghum seed storage in Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bags and improvised containers. J Stored Prod Res 72:138–142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jspr.2017.04.004

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yadav K (2012) Harvesting and storage of pearl millet. http://agropedia.iitk.ac.in/content/harvesting-and-storage-pearl-millet

  • Yadav D, Balasubramanian S, Kaur J, Anand T, Singh A (2011) Optimization and shelf-life evaluation of pearl millet based halwa dry mix. J Food Sci Eng 1(4):313

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yadav DN, Anand T, Kaur J, Singh AK (2012a) Improved storage stability of pearl millet flour through microwave treatment. Agric Res 1(4):399–404

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yadav DN, Kaur J, Anand T, Singh AK (2012b) Storage stability and pasting properties of hydrothermally treated pearl millet flour. Int J Food Sci Technol 47(12):2532–2537

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Computational Modeling and Nanoscale Processing Unit, NIFTEM-Thanjavur, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India

    Shubham Nimbkar & Vijayakumar Raja

  2. Planning and Monitoring Cell, NIFTEM-Thanjavur, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India

    S. Shanmugasundaram

  3. Department of Food Engineering: Center of Excellence for Grain Sciences, National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management - Thanjavur (NIFTEM-T), Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India

    C. K. Sunil

  4. Department of Food Safety and Quality Testing, National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management - Thanjavur (NIFTEM-T), Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India

    Ashish Rawson

Authors
  1. Shubham Nimbkar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Vijayakumar Raja
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. S. Shanmugasundaram
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. C. K. Sunil
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Ashish Rawson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to S. Shanmugasundaram .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. IIFPT, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India

    C. Anandharamakrishnan

  2. Department of Food Safety and Quality Testing, National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management - Thanjavur (NIFTEM-T), Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India

    Ashish Rawson

  3. Department of Food Engineering, IIFPT, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India

    C. K. Sunil

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2022 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Nimbkar, S., Raja, V., Shanmugasundaram, S., Sunil, C.K., Rawson, A. (2022). Post-harvest Treatments and Storage of Millets. In: Anandharamakrishnan, C., Rawson, A., Sunil, C.K. (eds) Handbook of Millets - Processing, Quality, and Nutrition Status. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-7224-8_8

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation