Objectives
To evaluate the nutrient & antinutrient contents of Biofortified pearl millet before& after germination (Whole & grits)
Methods
Pearl millet biofortified cultivars (Dhanshakti, ICMH – 1201) developed & produced at ICRISAT, India were selected. Nutrients content (Moisture, Ash, Calorie, CHO, Protein, Fat, Ca,Fe, Zn) & antinutrients (phytate, tannin) content were estimated as per AOAC procedures before & after germination of pearl millet.
Results
Biofortified whole pearl millets (Dhanshakti, ICMH 1201) after germination contained 5.97 ± 0.12 & 6.88 ± 0.78 mg/100g (Ash), 403.51 ± 0.09& 383.58 ± 0.33 Kcal , 14.83 ± 1.13 &14.06 ± 0.07 g/100g (Protein), 69.52 ± 1.34 & 61.07 ± 0.14 mg / 100g (Ca),15.32 ± 0.84 &13.68 ± 0.08 mg/100g (Fe), 16.01 ± 0.81 & 8.71 ± 0.24 mg/100 g (Zn), 0.41 ± 0.07 & 0.40 ± 0.03 mg / 100g (Phytate), 0.22 ± 0.08 & 0.34 ± 0.28mg/100g (Tannin). UG- ICMH1201 grits had 8.9% protein content increase. G-ICMH 1201 grits had the least iron (10.85 ± 0.30 mg / 100 g). The UG-Dhanshakti grits (388.22 ± 0.40) & ICMH-1201 (375 ± 4.91)Kcal had more calorie compared to whole millet. When broken into grits, the zinc content declined by 35.6 (Dhanshakti) & 52.2 % (ICMH 1201). Either breaking into grits or germination; reduced the antinutrients content.
Conclusions
Germination enhanced the energy and fat by 6.63% &125.77 % {Dhanshakti (Whole)}, protein by 32.89 % {ICMH 1201(Whole)}, ash and iron by 26.86 % &145.2%( Dhanshakti -grits). Decreased CHO by 1.11 % (Dhanshakti – grits) & phytate by 50% in both Dhanshakti & ICMH1201(whole & grits). Millet grits had more the ash, iron, zinc & carotene. Therefore, use of biofortified millet grains unlikely to cause loss of other nutrients & merits further investigation with large-scale food processing & preparation
