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Abstract
This article investigates the qualitative indicators of sorghum grain grown in different regions of Ukraine, in order to substantiate its effective use in food, feed and technical areas. The article analyzes the relevance of expanding the species composition of grain crops in Ukraine in view of climate change, limited resources, highlighting sorghum as a promising drought-resistant and high-yielding crop. A comparative analysis of the qualitative indicators of sorghum grain (moisture content, litter content, protein, starch, fat content) was conducted from samples obtained from Odessa, Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Cherkasy and Kirovohrad regions of Ukraine. The study revealed regional differences in qualitative characteristics, in particular regarding moisture and impurities, which often exceed international standards (EU, USA). At the same time, the protein and starch content in all samples meets or exceeds the regulatory values, which confirms the high feed and energy value of Ukrainian sorghum. A comparison of the main quality indicators of sorghum grain, which are regulated in the standards of the European Union (EU), the United States of America (USA) (according to Codex Alimentarius) and Ukraine (DSTU 4523:2006), was conducted. They cover such criteria as maximum moisture content, permissible percentage of waste and grain impurities, pest infestation, content of sprouted grains, smell and color of grain. In addition, a comparison was made of requirements for the content of mycotoxins, starch, protein, fat and tannins, which are key to determining the suitability of sorghum for various purposes (food, feed, technical purposes). The analysis shows that EU and US standards usually set more stringent requirements for purity, moisture and grain safety, and also provide for mandatory control over the content of biochemical components, while Ukrainian standards are more flexible and do not always directly regulate these indicators. This discrepancy may create challenges when exporting Ukrainian sorghum to international markets. The need to harmonize Ukrainian sorghum quality standards with international ones is emphasized to increase competitiveness in the world market and expand its use in the food and bioenergy industries.