Proximate composition, mineral and phytochemical constituents of Eleusine coracana (finger millet)

Macham Bwai,Doyinsola Odukomaiya,Michael Afolayan,Orishadipe Abayomi

doi:10.14419/ijac.v2i2.3496

Abstract

The proximate composition, mineral and phytochemical constituents of Eleusine coracana (finger millets) was evaluated with the aim of providing data that will guide the effective utilization of it under exploited seed in food application. The proximate composition revealed the presence of moisture (6.99%), ash (2.37%), crude protein (10.28%), crude fibre (3.10%), crude lipid (0.83%) and carbohydrate (76.43%). The mineral composition revealed potassium (14.19 mg/g), sodium (6.86 mg/g), copper (0.10 mg/g), calcium (1.13 mg/g), magnesium (6.25 mg/g), zinc (0.22 mg/g), manganese (0.32 mg/g), Iron (0.11 mg/g), lead (0.001 mg/g) and Na/K 0.48. The phytochemical constituents present were tannins, steroids, phenols, alkaloids, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides and balsams. These results revealed that the seeds of Eleusine coracana (finger millet) contained essential nutrients which compete favourably well with those of other seeds in literature and it is suitable for health benefits and for use in herbal medicine to combat different diseases. Keywords: Eleusine Coracana, Finger Millet, Mineral Composition, Phytochemical, Proximate, Seed.

Highlights

Good nutrition is a basic human right
The phytochemical constituents present were tannins, steroids, phenols, alkaloids, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides and balsams. These results revealed that the seeds of Eleusine coracana contained essential nutrients which compete favourably well with those of other seeds in literature and it is suitable for health benefits and for use in herbal medicine to combat different diseases
The moisture content of the Eleusine coracana is 6.99±0.02% (w/w). This indicates that the seed has a good shelf life; it can be stored for long term without spoilage

Summary

Introduction

Good nutrition is a basic human right. In order to have a healthy population that can promote development, the relation between food, nutrition and health should be reinforced. Finger millet is a fast growing cereal crop that reaches maturity within 3-6 months and sometimes in only 45 days (Dida et al 2006) It is generally found in disturbed areas, roadsides and banks (Quattrocchi, 2006). Finger millet is adapted to a wide range of soil conditions though it prefers fertile, well-drained sandy to sandy loamy soils with pH ranging from 5 to 7 It still grows on lateritic or black heavy vertisols and has some tolerance for alkaline and moderately saline soils (Dida et al 2006). Finger millet is a staple food in many African and South Asian countries It is considered a helpful famine crop as it is stored for lean years (FAO, 2012). This will aid promotion of the use of the seeds in the management of the nutrition-related problems in Nigeria in particular and in Africa in general

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Conclusion