Pengembangan Buru Hotong (Setaria Italica (L) Beauv) Sebagai Sumber Pangan Pokok Alternatif (Development of Foxtail Millet-Based Food Products as and Alternative of Food Sources)

Abstract

Most of Indonesian populations rely on rice as their single staple food. Dependence on rice is a high risk since the rice production fluctuates. Through this research, we tried to utilize a local cereal foxtail millet (Setaria italica (L) Beauv.) to become a carbohydrate source for people especially in Buru island A main problem in utilization of foxtail millet was lack of post-harvest and processing technology. Researches had been accomplished for three years, i.e. 2007-2009. In 2007, polishing and milling machines for foxtail millet had been developed In addition, processing technologies of noodle, cookies, instant porridge, and crackers based on foxtail millet had also been established. In 2008, improvements on formulation of cookies and instant porridge based on foxtail millet had been conducted. Dissimination of foxtail millet based-food products had been carried out in Kabupaten Buru in collaboration with Pemda Kabupaten Buru. In 2009, research had been focused on the improvement of formula and processing technology of foxtail millet noodle. Results showed that the best noodle products were obtained through substitution with 40% wheat flour or 30% sago starch. The shelf life of the product was calculated to be 2.93 months.