MODERNIZED FLOWCHART FOR MILLET PROCESSING INTO POLISHED MILLET GROATS

In Ukraine, millet production is characterized by significant fluctuations in sown area and gross yield over the past three decades, with peak values recorded in the 1990s. Currently, the average annual sown area is 70–120 thousand hectares, and production volumes reach 100–200 thousand tons, with cultivation concentrated in the steppe and forest-steppe regions. Ukraine holds leading positions in Europe, accounting for approximately 0.5–0.8% of global millet production. The range of millet-based groats in Ukraine is mainly limited to polished millet groats. Breeding work in Ukraine is systematic and continuous, with constant updates to the varietal composition. As of 2025, 37 varieties are registered in the State Register, among which the most widespread is "Myronivske 51". The production of polished millet groats is a multistage process that includes cleaning, fractionation, dehulling, sorting, polishing, and quality control. Dehulling is carried out on roller-deck machines with one or two decks, with sequential cleaning of the products after each dehulling system. The polishing stage improves kernel quality and extends shelf life. The yield of the finished product is 60–65%, while dehulling losses reach 15.5%; the remaining losses consist of by-products formed due to kernel fragmentation and flour formation. The technology is complex, labor-intensive, and energy-demanding, with high space and equipment requirements, which complicates production at small enterprises. The main limitations include the narrow product assortment and relatively low product yield, as well as the high complexity of the technological flow with numerous sorting and separation stages. To improve efficiency and expand the assortment, technological modernization is needed: improvement of dehulling and polishing machines, optimization of intermediate sorting, implementation of water-heat treatment, and the introduction of modern means of groat quality control. These measures would create conditions for the development of groat production and an increase in millet’s market share. During the research, a technological process for millet processing into polished groats was developed by introducing water-heat treatment at the preparation and final stages of production. Preliminary steaming at 0.10–0.15 MPa and subsequent drying to 14% moisture improves the physical and mechanical properties of the grain, reduces hull strength, and facilitates more efficient dehulling. Dehulling is carried out in two stages on roller-deck machines, which enables gradual removal of the hulls and reduces kernel damage. Separation after each processing stage effectively removes husk and flour. Kernel polishing on abrasive dehuller Kaskad ensures gentle abrasion of hull residues and minimizes losses, while aspiration improves quality and shelf-life. The final stage – repeated steaming – enhances the functional properties of the groats, inactivates enzymes, stabilizes fat, and increases microbiological safety of the product.