Studies on Evaluation and Determination of Physical and Functional Properties of millets. (Ragi and pearl millet)

摘要

The study determined the physical properties of finger millet (FM) (Eluesine coracana) grains and the functional properties of FM flour. Physical properties such as colour attributes, sample weight, bulk density, true density, porosity, surface area,sample volume, aspect ratio, sphericity, dimensional properties and moisture content of grain cultivars were determined. Water absorption capacity (WAC), bulk density (BD), dispersibility, viscosity, and micro-structure of FM flours were also evaluated.Data collected were analyzed using SPSS statistical software version 23.0. Results showed that milky cream cultivar was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than other samples in sample weight, bulk density, true density, aspect ratio and sphericity. However,pearl millet, used as a control, was significantly different from FM flour on all dimensional properties. The moisture content of milky cream showed a higher significant difference for both grains and flours as compared to brown and black grain/flours.The milky cream cultivar was significantly different in L, b, C, H* values, WAC, BD, and dispersibility for both FM grains and flours. Data showed that brown flour was significantly higher in viscosity than in milky and black flours. Microstructure results revealed that starch granules of raw FM flours had oval/spherical and smooth surfaces. The study is important for agricultural and food engineers, designers, scientists, and processors in the design of equipment for FM grain processing. Results are likely to be useful in assessing the quality of grains used to fortify FM flour.