Exploring the Potential of Pearl Millet for Eco-friendly Sugar Syrup Production

Abstract

Pearl millet is a widely cultivated crop that finds its way into a variety of cuisines around the globe. It is esteemed for its nutritional advantages, highlighting the importance of large-scale processing. It stands out as a sustainable and eco-friendly crop, demonstrating remarkable adaptability in both arid and rainfed areas. Its high productivity coupled with minimal water needs positions it as a significant contributor to addressing food insecurity and poverty challenges. This review highlights the significance of pearl millet as a promising source for the production of glucose, malt, and sugar syrup. The advancements in the sugar extraction process, focusing on techniques such as enzymatic hydrolysis and the application of hydraulic press mechanization has been examined. The implementation of strategies aimed at enhancing sugar-syrup production from PM presents a promising opportunity to decrease dependence on traditional sugar production methods, which typically require significant inputs from high-input crops.