Proximate composition
Crude protein content (%)
Finger millet, with its protein content, can support these functions, contributing to better health and well-being.Crude protein content variation of thirty- five finger millet germplasm were evaluated and presented crude protein content ranged from 6.23% to 7.76% with a mean value of 7.11% (Table 1). Highest crude protein content recorded in germplasm KFMG 2236 (7.76%) followed by KFMG 2262 (7.69%).
Crude fiber content (%)
The fiber in finger millet can help in the slower absorption of carbohydrates, leading to more stable blood sugar levels. This can be particularly advantageous for people with diabetes or those at risk of developing diabetes.Crude fiber content of thirty-five finger milletgermplasm ranged from 2.30% to 3.55% with a mean value of 2.95%. Highest crude fiber content was observed in germplasm KFMG 2261 (3.55 %) followed by germplasm KFMG 2264 (3.50%). Lowest crude fiber content was recorded in germplasm KFMG 2231 (2.30 %).
Crude fat (%)
While finger millet is not extremely high in fat, the fat it does contain contributes to the overall energy content of the grain. Crude fat content of thirty -five finger millet germplasms are revealed that crude fat content ranged from 1.74 to 2.13% with an average value of 1.92%. Highest crude fat content recorded in KFMG 2270 (2.13%) and lowest in KFMG 2262 (1.74%) (Table 1).
Ash (%)
The ash content can be an indicator of the quality of the grain. Ash content reflects the total mineral content of the grain, including essential minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus. These minerals are vital for various bodily functions, including bone health, oxygen transport, muscle function and electrolyte balance. Ash content of thirty-five finger millet germplasm ranged from 1.83% to 2.77% with the mean value of 2.34%. Highest ash content was recorded in KFMG 2233 (2.77%) followed by KFMG 2237 (2.73%) and KFMG 2272 (2.73%). The lowest ash content was observed in KFMG 2251 (1.83%) (Table 1).
Moisture (%)
Moisture content is one of the critical factors determines the shelf life of germplasm. The moisture content of thirty- five finger millet germplasm ranged from 8.05 to 10.64 per cent with a mean value of 9.66 per cent. Among finger millet germplasm highest moisture content was observed in KFMG 2232 (10.64%) while lowest moisture content was observed in KFMG 2251 (8.50%) (Table 1).
Mineral content
Calcium content (mg/100 g)
Calcium is essential for muscle contraction and overall muscle function. Adequate calcium intake helps maintain normal muscle function and prevents issues like muscle cramps and spasms.The calcium content of thirty-five finger millet germplasm was ranged from 273 to 383 mg/100 g with a mean value of 345.85 mg/100 g. Among all thirty- five finger millet germplasm highest calcium content was observed in KFMG 2233 (383 mg/100 g). Lowest calcium content was observed in the germplasm KFMG 2258 (273 mg/100 g). Among the check varieties Phule Kasari and Dapoli-3 recorded 375 and 374 mg/100 g grain calcium content respectively.
Magnesium content (mg/100 g)
Magnesium content of thirty- five finger millet germplasm were ranged from 142 to 193 mg/100 g with a mean value of 159.34 mg/100 g. Lowest magnesium content was recorded in germplasm KFMG 2239 (142 mg/100 g) and highest magnesium content observed in germplasm KFMG 2262 (193 mg/100 g). Phule Nachani and Phule Kasari check finger millet varieties recorded 167 and 156 mg/100 gm magnesium content respectively (Table 2).
Phosphorus content (mg/100 g)
Phosphorus content of thirty -five finger millet germplasm were ranged from 141 to 303 mg/100 g with a mean value of 220.51 mg/100 g. Highest phosphorus content was recorded in germplasm KFMG 2261 (268 mg/100 g) followed by KFMG 2236 (260 mg/100 g). Lowest phosphorus content was recorded in germplasm GPU 67 (141 mg/100 g). Among the check varieties Phule Nachani and Phule Kasari recorded 230 and 202 mg/100 gm phosphorus content respectively (Table 2).
Iron content (mg/100 g)
Iron content of thirty-five finger millet germplasm were ranged from 3.03 to 4.33 mg/100 g with a mean value of 3.84 mg/100 g. Highest iron content in germplasm KFMG 2266 (4.33 mg/100 g) and lowest iron content in germplasm KFMG 2268 (3.03 mg/100 g). Phule Kasari check variety recorded 4.23 mg/100 g iron content (Table 2).
Zinc content (mg/100 g)
Zinc is essential for a healthy immune system. It supports the function of various immune cells and is involved in the body’s defense against infections and inflammation. Zinc content of thirty-five finger millet germplasm with a mean value of 2.66 mg/100 g were ranged from 2.13 to 2.98 mg/100 g. Highest zinc content observed in germplasm KFMG 2251 (2.98 mg/100 g) followed by KFMG 2236 (2.95). Lowest zinc content recorded in germplasm KFMG 2271 (2.13 mg/100 g). Among the check varieties Phule Nachani and Dapoli-3 recorded 2.73 and 2.70 mg/100 g zinc content respectively (Table 2).
Phenolic compounds content
Phenol content
Among the thirty- five germplasm phenol content of KFMG 2266 and KFMG 2261 was found significantly higher than check varieties. A significant variation ranging from 162 to 281 mg/100 g and lower phenol content was found in KFMG 2270. Average value of phenol content was 228.48 mg/100 g.
Tannin content
A wide range of tannin content from 240 to 413 mg/100 g. was found in finger millet germplasm with average tannin content of 317.34 mg/100 g. KFMG 2260 germplasm showed highest tannin content and lowest content was found in KFMG 2270 (Table 3).
Sireesha (2023) evaluated finger millet germplasm observed crude fat content with 1.3% and similar results were observed that crude protein content in was 7.3%. The results were in agreement with
Dida and Kebero (2023) examined chemical composition of finger millet observed moisture content in the range of 7.15-13.1 per cent and crude protein content was recorded 7.7 g/100 g.
Pandey et al. (2024) evaluated finger millet germplasm observed crude fat with 1.5%, crude protein with 7.7%, Iron with 3.9 mg/100 g, calcium with 350 mg/100 g and zinc with 2.3 mg/100 g. Karki
et al.
(2020) reported a similar result in finger millet with total ash content is in the range of 1.7 to 4.13 per cent which is higher than any other commonly consumed cereal grains. Similar results were stated by Jagati
et al.
(2021) in which ash content in finger millet was recorded 3 g/100 g. Gull
et al.
(2016) observed crude fiber in finger millet with 3.6%. Similar results were reported that crude fiber content in finger millet germplasm was 3.6%
(Kumar et al., 2016). As reported by
Patil et al., (2019) it was observed narrow range of crude fiber content in finger millet germplasm and recorded with range from 3.68 per cent to 4.15 per cent.
Kumar et al., (2016) reported calcium content 360 mg/100 g in finger millet germplasm. As documented earlier finger millet is the richest source of calcium contains about 0.34% as compared with 0.01-0.06% in most other cereals
(Kumar et al., 2018; Gupta et al., 2017). The results were in agreement with those obtained by Hiremath
et al.
(2018) that the finger millet has the highest calcium content among all cereals (344 mg/100 g). Similar results observed that calcium content in finger millet was 398 mg/100 g by Jagati
et al.
(2021). The values found similar trend of calcium content in finger millet germplasm was 137.33 mg/100 g by
Sireesha (2023). These results are close conformity with observation obtained by Pandey
et al.
(2024) with calcium content in finger millet was 350 mg/100 g.
Similar results were reported regarding magnesium content of finger millet germplasm in the study ranged from 143.24 to 192.94 mg/100 g with little variation by Hiremath
et al.
(2018). The magnesium content in finger millet germplasm ranged from 0.55 to 0.90 per cent recorded by Patil
et al.
(2019). These results are close conformity with observation obtained by Jagati
et al. (2021) found that magnesium content in finger millet was 137 mg/100 g. The results were in the accordance with magnesium content highest in finger millet with 287 mg/100 g obtained by
Shahi and Singh (2022). As documented earlier different minerals present in finger millet among which magnesium content recorded 137 mg/100 g by
Panday et al. (2024).
Kumar et al., (2016) highlighted from their study that phosphorus content in finger millet was 283 mg/100 g. Similar results obtained that phosphorus content in finger millet was ranged from 130-250 mg/100 g (
USDA, 2016). Similar trends in the results were observed in phosphorus content to 250 mg/100 g in finger millet and in rice 160 mg/100 g by Gull
et al.
(2016). These results are close conformity with observation obtained by Patil
et al.
(2019) concluded that narrow range of phosphorus content was observed in thirtyseven genotypes of finger millet. The phosphorus content ranged from 2.69 to 2.77 per cent among all the genotypes and highest value of phosphorus content observed 2.77 per cent. The results were in agreement with
Jagati et al. (2021) obtained phosphorus content in finger millet with 320 mg/100 g. Indian farming (2023) reported phosphorus content in finger millet 210 mg/100 g. As documented earlier by
Sireesha (2023) phosphorus content in finger millet was 158.43 mg/100 g. Similar trends in the results were reported with phosphorus content in finger millet was 283 mg/100 g by
Panday et al. (2024).
Gull et al. (2016) recorded similar trends in the finger millet results and observed iron content 6.3 mg/100 g. These results are close conformity with observation reported by
Muthamilarasan et al. (2016) with iron content in finger millet ranged from 2.12 to 3.19 mg/100 g. Iron content in finger millet germplasm was recorded with 3.9 mg/100 g by
Kumar et al. (2016). The results were in agreement with those obtained by
Patil et al., (2019) that iron content was observed in thirty seven genotypes of finger millet and ranged from 46.10 ppm to 105.03 ppm among all the genotypes. Similar results were previously reported with finger millet germplasm for mineral contents observed iron content in white colour grains 5.17 mg/100 g and in light brown colour grains 7.65 mg/100 g by
Ojulong et al. (2021). As documented earlier finger millet recorded zinc content 2.3 mg/100 g by
Kumar et al. (2016). Zinc content in finger millet was ranged from 1.44 to 2.31 mg/100 g recorded by
Muthamilarasan et al. (2016). Similar results were previously reported by
Patil et al., (2019) with zinc content observed in thirty seven genotypes of finger millet and ranged from 43.33 ppm to 64.32 ppm among the genotypes. The results were in agreement with those observed by
Jagati et al. (2021) with zinc content in finger millet was 2.3 mg/100 g. These results are close conformity with observation reported by
Shahi et al. (2023) that zinc content was in finger millet 2.7 mg/100 g. Similar trends in the results were observed by
Panday et al. (2024) with 2.3 mg/100 g zinc content in finger millet.
Ramachandra et al. (1977) observed white grain varieties have very low phenol levels as compared with the brown and dark brown varieties (white, 0.05%; brown, 0.61%). Similar results were previously reported by
Kazi et al. (2022), phenolic content was in finger millet landraces ranged from 355.33 mg/100 g. T2 landraces being white showed fewer amounts (355.33 mg/100 g) while red to brown colour landraces possess high phenolic content.
Kazi et al., (2024) Obtained results revealed that T1, T19 and T29 have the highest fractionations of phenol compounds in finger millet.
These results are close conformity with by
Parida et al., (1989) reported that the white grain varieties of ragi had very low phenol and tannin levels when compared with brown varieties and investigated the tannin content of ragi from 0.04 to 3.47 per cent also highest amount of tannins (3.42% - 3.47%) was found in two African varieties.These results are similar to the values reported by
Panwar et al., (2016) in finger millet germplasm tannin content ranged from 2.05 to 2.62 mg TAE/g.