Polyphenols, phospholipids and fixed oil composition of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.]

Abstract

Not much is known on the polyphenols, phospholipids and fixed oil composition of Pearl millet [Bajra-Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.], the poor men’s staple food in India and Africa. The present study revealed the presence of 0.9% dry wt. of flavones consisting of tricin, 7-OMe luteolin and acacetin; 0.75% phospholipids containing both lecithins and cephaelins and 5.4% fatty oil composed of principally linoleic acid (45.55%), oleic acid (28.54%), palmitic acid (20.6%) and linolenic acid (2%). The phenolic acids identified were vanillic, syringic, ferulic, p-hydroxy benzoic acid and cis/trans p-coumaric acids and the total phenols were found to be 4.08 µg/g. The total antioxidant activity of the grain is found to be Ic₅₀ 1.33+ 0.03 mg/ml. The significance of these compounds in the wider acceptability of this grain is discussed.