Physical, functional, nutritional and antioxidant properties of foxtail millet in Bangladesh

The nutritional and phytochemical content of foxtail millet (Cetaria italica) makes it a viable food grain. In this study, we looked at foxtail millet in Bangladesh and analyzed its nutritional value, functional and physical characteristics. In addition, methanol, ethanol, and acetone: water: acetic acid (70: 29.50: 0.50) extracts of foxtail millet flour (FMF) were analyzed for their antioxidant properties (total phenolic and flavonoid content, total antioxidant capacity, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay, and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity). According to this study, foxtail millet has favorable physiological and functional properties. FMF had protein at 11.65 ± 0.45 g/100 g, fat at 3.48 ± 0.04 g/100 g, carbohydrates at 75.33 ± 0.53 g/100 g, and crude fiber at 2.21 ± 0.03 g/100 g. Calcium was found at 47 ± 0.48 mg/100 g, iron at 4.59 ± 0.14 mg/100 g, potassium at 393 ± 15.87, sodium at 27.4 ± 1.21, magnesium at 45.40 ± 2.22, manganese at 0.71 ± 0.02, copper at 0.58 ± 0.04 and zinc at 2.30 ± 0.18 mg/100 g. The total flavonoid content (TFC) of the methanolic extract (68.26 ± 1.51 mg quercetin equivalents (QE)/100 g) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the extract of acetone: water: acetic acid. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (169.40 ± 3.45 mg ascorbic acid equivalents (AAE)/100 g) and total phenolic content (TPC) (51.35 ± 1.35 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/100 g) of the methanolic extracts were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than others. The ascending order of DPPH free radical scavenging activity of FMF extract is as follows: acetone: acetic acid: water < ethanol < methanol. In the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) test, the reducing power of FMF extracts increased with the rise in sample concentration. Foxtail millet has potential as a functional food that could influence rural residents' diets and health.