Emerging technologies in cereal processing: Present status and future potential

Abstract

Grain processing (cereal and pulse) occupies a large and important portion in food production chain in India, and is one of the oldest and most important of all food technologies. Cereal grains and pulses are grown widely throughout the world and their dietary and economic importance is globally appreciated and recognized. In Indian economy, cereals and pulses occupy a prominent place and remain the most consumed staple food. For ten consecutive years from 2006 to 2016 a rising trend in the production of food grains has been registered. Grains like wheat, paddy, maize, barley and pulses touched an increased level of 25, 20, 12, 2 and 1 lac tons, respectively. The production of millets, however, declined to a recorded level of 66,900 tons from 2010 to 2019. Cereal grains grown all over the country face potential losses during processing, hence posing a serious threat to the countries food reserves. Moreover, food security has always been the overriding goal of agricultural policy in India. The rapid growth in production followed by losses in cereals demands the utilization of the novel processing technologies. The introduction of novel technologies has improved the processing and utilization of cereal grains in different countries. Emerging technologies viz. radio frequency, microwave, irradiation and high-pressure processing have found potential application for storage and processing of cereals. The present chapter envisages the present and future scenario of the novel processing technologies to be used to reduce the losses in cereals.