Non Starch Polysaccharides (Dietary Fibre) of Bio-Fortified Pearl Millet Varieties as Influenced by Malting

The investigation was carried out to assess the effect of malting on non starch polysaccharides i.e. dietary fibre contents of bio-fortified pearl millet varieties (HC-20 and Dhanshakti). It was found that the crude fibre content of malted flours of both the varieties increased significantly (10.0 to 23.07 and 7.74 to 10.96 % respectively in HC-20, and Dhanshakti) compared to unprocessed pearl millet flour. However, a significant reduction in total dietary fibre content of malted flours was observed and this decrease ranged from 3.88 to 4.81 % in HC-20 and from 6.89 to 8.11 % in Dhanshakti variety. The insoluble dietary fibre content of malted flours was also significantly lower than that of unprocessed flours. As a result of malting, soluble dietary fibre content decreased from 12.58 to 18.54 % (HC-20) and 17.36 to 22.22 % (Dhanshakti) compared to unprocessed flour. All types of processed and unprocessed HC-20 flours contained significantly higher amounts of soluble dietary fibre compared to Dhanshakti variety. The crude fibre and dietary fibre of Dhanshakti variety flour was significantly higher than that of HC-20.