Effect of some culture extracts of Aspergillus oryzae on dehulling properties of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L.)

Pre-dehulling treatments with some culture extracts of Aspergillus oryzae of various incubation periods played an important role in improving the dehulling properties of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L.). Yield percent of dehulled grains and dehulling efficiency increased concurrently with increase of incubation period of culture extracts. Maximum dehulled grains were achieved by 12-day old culture extract to the tune of 73% with least amount of undehulled kernels and fines (6.6 and 6.5%, respectively). Pre-dehulling trials conducted on pigeon pea grain employing wheat bran and pigeon pea husk based culture extracts of A. oryzae showed dehulling efficiency of 73% for wheat bran (12-day incubation period) and pigeon pea husk (9-day incubation period) in comparison with uninoculated extract (control) in the range 62.2-64.4%. Based on the results obtained, dehulling properties affected by pigeon pea husk based culture extract proved better than wheat bran culture extract.