Recent advances with cold plasma technology for millet processing: A brief review

Abstract

As a grain with high nutritional content and tolerance to extreme weather, millet has a potential food business. However, the processing is necessary to enhance the physical and nutritional quality of millet. Food products with minimal processing, improved sensorial and natural flavors, with no added chemicals to preserve them are in greater demand among customers. High‐quality product produced using green alternative processing techniques significantly evolved in the last two decades. Moreover, recent years see potential study of cold plasma technology in the food industry for increased functional attributes and energy efficiency. This review has been framed to describe the impact of cold plasma on the quality attributes of millet and millet products exploring cold plasma research on millet products, focusing on nutrition, anti‐nutrient reduction, structural, physicochemical, digestive, hydration, and functional properties. Furthermore, this work pursues to improve interventions by identifying the knowledge gaps in the processing of millet using cold plasma.Practical ApplicationsThe shelf life of the millet products is extended as a result of the plasma treatment, through the reduction in the moisture content. During the early stages of storage, millet flour is affected by rancidity, which is positively treated by plasma processing. The water absorption and swelling capacity of the treated millet sample have increased along with a rise in solubility. Therefore, the hydration and pasting abilities of millet improved, making it possible to utilize it in complementary food formulations as well as for the development of viscous foods.