Original scientific paper

BIOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATION OF TUNISIAN AUTOCHTHONOUS PEARL MILLET (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. BR) ECOTYPES

Leila RADHOUANE ; National Institute for Agricultural Research of Tunisia (INRAT), Ariana, Tunisia
Sami FATTOUCH ; National Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology (INSAT), Tunis, Tunisia

Abstract

Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br) is a staple food in many
developing countries and constitutes the major source of essential nutrients in
semi-arid and arid regions of Africa and India. The knowledge about the
nutrient content of autochthonous pearl millet ecotypes is scarce. In this
study, biochemical analysis of six Tunisian pearl millet ecotypes has been
investigated. Results provide evidence of differences in polyphenols content,
antioxidant potential and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity among the
studied ecotypes. These three parameters were found significantly correlated.
Moreover, some ecotypes were shown to be potentially quite important
sources of health promoting antioxidants. The studied biochemical properties
could be used as criteria of selection for a specific food application especially
the integration of this cereal in diverse industrial nutritional products.

Keywords

Pennisetum glaucum; ecotype; biochemical composition

Hrčak ID:

49665

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/49665

Publication date:

15.1.2010.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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