Evaluation and documentation of the botanical, chemical, and antioxidant changes during the sprouting of Bajra seeds

Abstract

Abstract BACKGROUND: Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. (Poaceae), popularly known as Bajra, is a well-known and most widely grown millet in India. It is an important cereal loaded with many nutrients. Moreover, it possesses many biological activities on account of the presence variety of chemical components. In addition to the seeds, many reports are available on the biological activity of sprouted seeds. OBJECTIVE: In the present study, the authors aimed to develop a pharmacognostic and chemical comparison between normal seeds, overnight-soaked seeds, and sprouted seeds to see changes in botanical diagnostic characteristics and chemical constituents, also in antioxidant potential during the growth of seeds. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The seeds were procured from the local market of Kolkata. Sophisticated analytical techniques viz. microscopy, fingerprint by high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC), and antioxidant potential by DPPH [2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl] assay were utilized in the present study. RESULTS: The whole study indicates the increased accumulation of chemical components during the growth of seed and higher antioxidant potential in sprouted seeds. CONCLUSION: The technical data obtained from this study indicate that sprouts accumulate more bioactive components with high antioxidant values as compared to seeds and soaked seeds.