Development and Evaluation of Sorghum and Little Millet Based Ladoo

Millets are called Nutri-cereals which are nutritionally superior when compared to that of staple cereals like rice and wheat and have numerous health benefits in improving the overall health of consumers. In spite of their multiple health benefits, millets are only consumed by people who are of low income group. The present study was done to develop and analyse the nutritional value, physiochemical properties and shelf life studies of millet ladoo as readymade snack which is developed through standardization process by blending the major millet i.e Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and minor millet i.e. Little millet (Panicum sumatrense), Tamarind kernel powder (Tamarindus indica), Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum), Bengal gram flour (chick pea) ghee and palm jaggery powder. Millet ladoo that was highly accepted by thirty semi-trained panel members through nine point hedonic scale by formulating sorghum, little millet and other ingredients showed total carbohydrates, protein, fat and fibre about 55.68, 7.54, 20.2 and 2.88% respectively. The sensory evaluation of the acceptable ladoo revealed that the texture, appearance, color, aroma, taste and all quality parameters were in acceptable range during storage. The product shelf life was found to be 30 days with addition of preservative i.e. food grade potassium sorbate followed by packaging of millet ladoo by using polyethylene terephthalate tray as primary packaging material and multilayer plastic laminate pouch as a secondary packaging material. The shelf life of millet ladoo was 15 days without addition of preservative when packed in polyethylene terphthalate tray that was placed in multilayer plastic laminate pouch at room temperature. The sensory parameters of millet ladoo packed in polyethylene terphthalate tray without multilayer plastic laminate pouch was not acceptable for further studies. The work done was an attempt to develop value added products of major and minor millets and increase consumption of millet products for better nutrition of consumers.