Nutri Cereals

The term "Nutri-Cereals" has been dedicated to ten cereals due to their unique nutritional benefits. Nutri-Cereals: Nutraceutical and Techno-Functional Potential covers these cereal grains, with each chapter focusing on nutrient composition and bioactive characterization followed by associated bio-functional properties and health benefits. Further, it covers techno-functionality of nutri-cereals including rheological properties, emulsification and foaming potential, gelation behavior, color profile and others which dictate the suitability of cereals in finished products. Key Features: Covers diverse biological and functional features of nutri-cereals to dictate their potential as functional ingredients in value-added products Discusses the nutraceutical potential of ten cereals: sorghum, pearl millet, finger millet, foxtail millet, barnyard millet, kodo millet, little millet, proso millet, black wheat and Amaranthus Explains how these grains are ideal ingredients for gluten free food formulations with enhanced bio- and techno-functional characteristics Although many of the nutri-cereals have been known for thousands of years, due to their coarse nature and lack of processing they escaped the human diet. Now, thanks to their excellent agro-economic potential and numerous health benefits, they are once again recognized as functional ingredients. Recently, earmarked investment and funding have been observed for valorization of these crops and thus, this book will help academicians to strengthen future investigations.

The millets- the super food for entire mankind has lost its place in food basket of modern human beings’ food habits. Due to presence of complex carbohydrates, essential amino acid, ample amounts of vitamins and minerals- the millets are considered as super food. The balanced amounts of all essential nutrients in them compel us to call as Nutri cereals. The number of health issues generated in modern man such as indigestion, diabetes, high/low blood pressure, malnutrition, cancer of various kinds, Alzheimer, weak bones and immunity related problems stems from proceed food consumption especially rice and wheat. Modern food habits totally ignore the age-old wisdom in regards to balanced food, we consume since time immemorial. Energy rich diet overloaded with carbohydrates and added fats are consumed by major section of society. Lack of fibre, vitamins and mineral cause several health problems. Now with the health and environmental problems faced by the 21st century human being compels them to look at the actual reason behind these problems. This brings in the notice of food and health scientist to include Nutri cereals in the food basket so that the ill effect may be minimised and make them healthy. Consumption of millets means Natural food, Balanced food, Appropriate food and Healthy food.

This book volume sheds light on the health benefits of selected cereal grains, processing technologies of cereals, specific roles of bioactive compounds of cereals in chronic disease prevention, and traditional and latest technologies to improve the functional benefits of cereal-based products. It presents a thorough review of the functional components of some lesser known or forgotten cereals and their role in maintaining good health. With advancements in cereal science and technology, new methods of processing have emerged that help to preserve or even enhance the health-benefitting properties of cereal grains. Further, plant breeding and biotechnology have contributed greatly in improving nutritional quality and functionality of these grains. This book provides comprehensive information on the simple as well as advanced methodologies for enhancing the properties of cereals that benefit human health. Some new approaches such as bio-fortification and extraction of bioactives from cereals are also included in the text.

This book demonstrates a successful and sustainable model for value addition to millets from production to consumption. Within the work the authors outline practical interventions to revive the demand for millets as a convenient and nutritive option for consumers, whilst presenting a reliable model that can be adapted for the development of other commodities. Based on practical experience and the output of a National Agricultural Innovation Project, Millets Value Chain for Nutritional Security: A Replicable Success Model from India explores the development of an integrated approach to value addition to millets. The development of successful value chains to revive demand for traditional cereals such as millets plays an important role in ensuring health and nutrition security in India. As such, this book is an invaluable resource for researchers and advanced students in the fields of agriculture, food science and business management, in addition to policy makers, manufacturers and breeders.

Millets and Pseudo Cereals is the first comprehensive resource to focus on the potential crop improvements through genetic enhancements. The choice of food crop for a region is primarily determined by the conditions of climate and soil. Once labelled as orphan crops, millets and pseudo-cereals are now known as miracle grains due to their adaptation to harsh conditions and high nutritional quality. Small millets and pseudo-cereals are now seen to occupy special niches through their ability to adapt to challenging conditions. These crops have a comparative advantage in marginal lands where they withstand stress conditions and contribute to sustainable production. They also contribute to the diversity-richness and production stability of agro-ecosystems. Millets include sorghum, pearl millet, finger millet, foxtail millet, proso millet, barnyard millet, little millet and kodo millet while the other group which are not cereals but consumed as cereals and generally referred as pseudo-cereals comprises of grain amaranths, buckwheat and chenopods. Millets and Pseudo Cereals presents current information on the genetic architecture of important economic traits and the genomic resources for gene enabled breeding. This compilation contains information on the global status, available germplasm resources, nutritional value, breeding advancements, genomics applications and sustainability of agriculture through millets and pseudo-cereals cultivation. This book is a valuable resource for those conducting research and exploring new areas for advancing crop genetic understanding. Explores the current challenges of pseudo-cereal production and how that can be overcome by developing genetic and breeding resources using appropriate germplasm Provides holistic information on millets and pseudo-cereals Features global perspectives from an international contributing team of authors

Millets are popularly known as “nutri-cereals” due to their high calcium, dietary fiber, polyphenol, vitamins, and protein content. Millet crops have the potential to aid in food security efforts in regions where natural and manmade causes are deteriorating land resources. Nutriomics of Millet Crops emphasizes the importance of nutriomics of millet crops in the context of universal health, highlighting biotechnological advancements offering enrichment of the nutritional value of millets. Millet crops have the potential to be a staple crop, demonstrating an economically feasible approach to combat micronutrient malnutrition. Features: Presents comprehensive studies on health-promoting nutritional components of millets. Provides enumeration on molecular breeding strategies for improvement of millet nutraceuticals. Discusses genomics-assisted breeding for enhancement of nutritional quality in millets. Includes information related to sensory and biofortification of millet-based foods. By assessing the relevance of millets in sustainable global agro-ecosystems due to their nutritional and agronomic attributes, the United Nations celebrated 2023 as the “International Year of Millets.” This book complements this effort and is useful to researchers and policy planners working across the disciplines of plant breeding and food technology. Nutriomics of Millet Crops also encourages young researchers to explore this promising field.