In vitro Antioxidant Activity of Barnyard Millet (Echinochola esculenta (A. Braun) H.Scholz) and Proso Millet (Panicum miliaceum L.)

Abstract

In traditional societies, nutrition and health care are strongly unified as several plants have been consumed both as food and for nutritional purposes. Millet's are inexpensive and nutritionally comparable or even superior to major cereals and are consumed traditionally as health and vitality foods in ancient India. The aim of this study is to determine the qualitative and quantitative phytochemical and antioxidant properties of Barnyard and Proso millet. The qualitative phytochemical analysis was carried out by using organic solvents such as distilled water, ethanol, chloroform and methanol. Among the four solvent the methanol extract shows the strong presence of alkaloid, phenol, steroid, carbohydrate, amino acid, tannin, protein steroids, saponin and amino acid. The quantitative phytochemical analysis, the Proso millet, contains 47.07 mg GAE/g of phenol, 51.02 mg RE/g of flavonoids and 3.96 mg/g of tannin. Where, the Banyard millet 16.07 mg GAE/g of phenol, 30.04 mg RE/g of flavonoids and 1.05 mg/g of tannin. The antioxidant activity were assessed through the DPPH scavenging activity and reducing power assay using chloroform and methanol extract, which shows strong antioxidant potential. The result of study showed the importance of millet's as antioxidant sources that enhance the antioxidant properties of human beings and in the management of age related human ailments.