Author(s): Gagan Dip and Nikita Sharma

Abstract: Storage plays critical role as post-harvest operation, where nations maintain substantial capacities for storing food commodities to ensure availability of buffer stocks for future needs. It is crucial to ensure the quality and prevent spoilage of little millet during prolonged storage, as this preservation process is integral to maintaining the long-term feasibility of these grains as valuable food resources. A comprehensive physiochemical study was conducted on the bulk scale storage of little millet (Panicum miliare) employing hermetic storage methods. Then 50 kg of little millets were packed in 60 kg capacity bags. The hermetic structure was placed under ambient condition (temperature 30 ± 7 °C and relative humidity 60 ± 10%) for 120 days of storage. The hermetic bags were sealed with an airtight zipper. Quality parameters were analysed before and after 120 days of storage. In the context of hermetic storage for little millet, the application of GrainPro hermetic bags and postharvest hermetic bags proved to be superior in terms of maintaining nutrient content and ensuring the absence of visible mold or pest infestation. Therefore, using hermetic bags is recommended for bulk-scale little millet storage with better retention of quality characteristics.

DOI: 10.33545/26174693.2023.v7.i2Se.234