Physical, chemical and dehulling characteristics of pearl millet cultivars grown in West African sub-region

Abstract

Twenty six pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) from Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Nigeria and Senegal comprising of popular and new varieties were evaluated for their physical, chemical and dehulling characteristics. Wide variations were observed in their physical, chemical and dehulling properties. The variations observed were: one thousand grain weight 6086-1601. g, one thousand grain volume 5.0-13.3 ml, density 0.98-1.38 g/ml, visual hardness 3.5-4.17 and per cent floaters 13.0-68.67%. The dehulling yield varied from 50.0-82.50%. Protein content varied from 7.19 to 12.05, fat 3.92-7.74%, ash 1.20-1.90%, and carbhydrate 72.76-78.42%. Grain density was significantly correlated with dehulling yield (r =+ 0.42, p < 0.05) and carbohydrate (r = 0.45, p < 0.05), `SOSAT - C88` from Senegal exhibited different chemical composition (protein and fat) compared to `SOSAT-C88` from Nigeria