Effect of Germination and Fermentation on in vitro Starch and Protein Digestibility of Pearl Millet

Abstract

ABSTRACT Germination of pearl millet grain for 24 hr significantly improved its in vitro starch and protein digestibility. Fermentation of pearl millet sprouts by mixed culture combinations of yeasts and bacteria ( Saccharomyces diastaticus and Lactobacillus brevis; Saccharomyces diastaticus and Lactobacillus fermentum; Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Lactobacillus brevis ; and Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Lactobacillus fermentum) resulted in a significant increase in protein and starch digestibility. The pearl millet sprouts fermented with mixed culture containing S. diastaticus and L. brevis had the highest in vitro starch digestibility, while the sprouts fermented with the culture containing 5. cerevisiae and L. fermentum had the highest in vitro protein digestibility.