Coimbatore, Feb 10 (PTI) The process for the production of ready-to-cook mix and food from pearl millet, developed by Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), has been granted patent by the Patent Office of Chennai. Claimed to the first of its kind, as per the patented technology, pearl millet, 'Cumbu' in Tamil and 'Bajra' in Northern India, is processed and packaged without any preservative. Since the traditional method of preparing food from pearl millet involved cumbersome procedure, TNAU undertook research on the aspect and developed the ready-to-cook mix, TNAU Vice-Chancellor, Dr Murugesa Bhoopathi said in a release here. For preparing food, the ready-to-cook mix has to be mixed with water and cooked as recommended. No water washing or precooking process is needed. The problem of rancidity has been solved by this new technology, Bhoopathi said, whereby the mix could be stored 15 to 20 days at normal temperature. He added that those interested in commercially producing the product can contact the university.
