EVALUATION OF PHYTOCHEMICALS AND ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL IN MILLETS

Millets are small-seeded grasses that have nutraceutical properties due to high content of proteins, dietary fibre, vitamins, antioxidants, and other valuable phytochemicals, important for health and wellbeing. The objective of the research was to analyse the phytochemical compounds and antioxidant properties of minor millet varieties viz., Kodo, Proso, Barnyard, Finger, Foxtail, and Little Millets. A quantitative phytochemical examination revealed the presence of phenols, steroids, alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, and tannins irrespective of the extraction method used. Antioxidant assay was done by the phosphomolybdate method. These findings indicate that different millet types possess distinct phytochemical profiles. Finger Millets and Foxtail Millets were rich in phenols and flavonoids, while Barnyard Millets had increased levels of alkaloids, saponins, and tannins. The antioxidant evaluation of Kodo, Proso, Barnyard, Finger, Foxtail, and Little Millets extracts showed that the Finger millet exhibited the highest antioxidant activity (4.12 μg AAE/ml in DW and 5.34 μg AAE/ml in Me). Methanol extracts generally showed higher antioxidant values than distilled water extracts, indicating that methanol is a more effective solvent for extracting antioxidants. These findings highlight millets’ potential as a functional food with significant health and economic benefits.