ABSTRACT
The major by-products of millet cultivation and processing are straw, husk, bran, and germ. The straw is mainly used as fodder for animals. The other uses of straw are the production of biogas and fermentable sugars. The fermentable sugars can be further used as a substrate for the production of bioethanol. The husk is used as fodder and as filler in plastics. The husk ash is used in making bricks and as a partial replacement for cement. Millet bran is a rich source of nutrients and phytochemicals and it can be added to foods to increase their nutritional and functional value. The bran fibre can also be extracted and can be used for the production of fibre-rich foods. Edible-grade oil can also be produced from foxtail millet bran and pearl millet germ. The processing of millets into fermented products like alcoholic beverages produces spent grains that are rich in dietary fibre. The spent grains can also be used for the extraction of prebiotics.
