Sorghum and Millets Flashcards
Sorghum Latin name
Sorghum bicolor L. Moench
Annual production
5th among cereals in world.
Grown on all latitudes between 30ºN and 30ºS (not here)
heat and drought resistant.
What even is it
a subsistence grain in the semi-arid tropical regions of Africa and India.
Main producers are USA, Africa, India, Mexico, South America
Kernel Characteristics
Usually naked caryopsis
Spherical shape
Thick pericarp, large germ.
Pericarp, testa, nucellus, and aleurone highly pigmented – white, yellow, red, brown, black, spotted
hard and soft endosperm (like corn)
testa/nucellus high in tannins
catechin polymers
Sorghum is high in tannins. what are the properties of this
provide pest and disease resistance but gives a bitter, astringent taste.
Also binds to protein and proteases, reducing digestibility.
Processing of Sorghum
Hand pounding or abrasion milling removes pericarp, testa, nucellus, some aleurone and germ.
Debranned kernel is ground to flour.
Milling reduced fibre and tannins – improves colour, palatability and digestibility.
However, the germ content of the flour reduces its storage.
Utilization of Sorghum in US
99% feed
1% starch, brewing, distilling, fuel
Potential for cellulosic ethanol (Sudan grass).
Some sweet sorghum is used to produce syrup, sucrose.
Utilization of Sorghum in Nigeria
80% as food (porridge, bread, boiled grain.
15% for brewing
5% as feed (milling byproduct)
What are “Millets”?
a collective term for a variety of small-seeded grasses
There are 12 or more genera/species of millet. name a few.
Pearl Millet
Foxtail Millet
Finger Millet
Proso Millet
Millet annual production.
sixth among cereals. Majority in India, Sahel countries of Africa.
Millet Qualities
Heat and drought resistant. Pearl Millet most commonly grown.
Kernel Characteristics
small, round/tear shaped
free threshing (hulless)
testa colour grey to white
large germ (15%)
Hard and soft endosperm like corn.
Millet processing
hand pounded or abrasion milled to debran, improve colour (C-glycosyl flavonoids) and reduce goitrogenicity.
Millet Food use
porridge, flat bread, baked or fried dough balls
