Mineral profile, anti‐nutrients and in vitro digestibility of biscuit prepared from blanched and malted pearl millet flour

Abstract

Purpose

To develop the biscuit from pearl millet flour prepared from pearl millet grains subjected to processing treatment, i.e. blanching and malting. Purpose was also to analyze the developed biscuit for nutritional evaluation.

Design/methodology/approach

Pearl millet is under utilized crop and its consumption is limited to low‐income group in the forms of chapatti, dalia, rabari, etc. However, when pearl millet grain was subjected to processing treatment, i.e. blanching and malting (methods are given in research paper), it helped to reduce the anti‐nutrients, rancidity and bitterness in the flour. After that, this processed flour was incorporated in biscuit to increase the consumption in human beings. Biscuit was also developed in combination with soybean flour to improve the protein quality, as pearl millet is deficient in lysine whereas soybean flour is rich in lysine.

Findings

The research revealed that all types of biscuit were organoleptically acceptable, with good mineral profile and low amount of anti‐nutrients. However, biscuit prepared from blanched flour had high calcium, phosphorus, iron and manganese content as compared to that prepared from malted flour. Low anti‐nutrient content and high in vitro digestibility were observed in biscuit prepared from blanched flour. Addition of soybean flour to biscuit also helps to increase the mineral profile as compared to that prepared without incorporation of soybean flour.

Originality/value

Utilization of processed pearl millet for product development was scanty. Work on blanching technique for product development and its comparison with product developed from malted flour was very less. The results indicate that processing method will help in lowering the amount of anti‐nutrients and lead to improvement in protein and starch digestibility. This research paper is valuable for processing industries, scientists and general public.

Citation

Singh, G., Sehgal, S., Kawatra, A. and Preeti (2006), "Mineral profile, anti‐nutrients and in vitro digestibility of biscuit prepared from blanched and malted pearl millet flour", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 36 No. 4, pp. 231-239. https://doi.org/10.1108/00346650610676802