Effect of pre-milling treatments on protein content of pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) grain

Pigeonpea grains, variety 'UPAS 120', were given different pre-treatments (water soaking, water spray, oil treatment. sodium bicarbonate treatment and enzyme treatment) and the changes in protein content both in cotyledon (manually dehulled) and finished product (dhal) were assessed. All the pre-milling treatments except sodium bicarbonate treatment caused significant loss in protein content in cotyledon over untreated sample. Oil treatment resulted in maximal loss (3.18%). Protein contents of dhal ranged from 20.71% to 22.45%: maximum being in enzyme-treated sample and minimum in oil-treated sample.