1Vidyaniketan Collage of Pharmacy, Takarkheda More Road, Anjangaon Surji.
2Department of Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance, Vidyaniketan Collage of Pharmacy, Takarkheda More Road, Anjangaon Surji
Little Millet (Panicum Sumatrense) is a type of underutilized small millet that has emerged in the scientific community in recent times because of its nutritional value, tolerance to adverse environmental conditions, and health benefits. The main objective of this review is to gather and analyze all the available data on the nutritional content, pharmacognostic, phytochemical, and traditional processing impact on little millet. Little Millet is a rich source of dietary fibers, vitamins, and minerals, and contains several bioactive compounds, such as phenolics and flavonoids, that are responsible for its antioxidant, antidiabetic, and cardio-protective activities. It is also a rich source of several antinutritional factors, such as phytates and tannins, that may influence the nutritional content of the food product. Various traditional processing methods, such as soaking, germination, fermentation, roasting, and milling, play a significant role in improving the nutritional content and antinutritional factors in the food product. In addition, several solvent extraction methods are responsible for improving the content of phytochemicals in the food product. Pharmacognostic evaluation, such as macro- and microscopic analysis, as well as physicochemical parameters, is necessary for proper identification. Little millet has immense potential as a functional food ingredient and nutraceutical, which supports the modernization of the diet and encourages the use of little millet for better nutritional security and for the advancement of sustainable agriculture.
Little millet is an ancient cereal crop domesticated thousands of years ago in the Indian subcontinent, which has gained attention in recent times by experts all over the world because of its exceptional nutritional profile and environmental adaptability [1]. Little millet is a crop of semi-arid, drought-prone areas of Asia and Africa where the cultivation of conventional grains such as rice and wheat is impossible. It belongs to the group of small millets [2]. Due to its specific adaptability, little millet is also an important constituent in sustainable agriculture and climate-smart food systems [3]. Tiny millet has long formed part of the traditional food cultures among tribal and rural communities, with a long shelf life, minimum inputs, and an ability to grow on marginal soils [4]. Despite its long-standing cultural significance, it has remained overlooked in contemporary diets, largely due to a lack of commercial marketing and technological advancements in its processing [5]. However, with increasing awareness regarding millets as nutrient-dense, low-glycemic grains that could be used for treating metabolic illnesses, small millet has again come into scientific focus [6]. Little millet contains a plethora of nutrients such as significant amounts of dietary fiber, complex carbohydrates, iron, calcium, potassium, and magnesium, along with essential amino acids like leucine and methionine. These components add to its established benefits of promoting satiety, regulating blood sugar, supporting cardiovascular health, and improving digestive health. Apart from the nutritional profile, tiny millet is rich in bioactive phytochemicals such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, tannins, lignans, and phytosterols, which show potent antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-carcinogenic activities [7]. Interest in phytochemical investigation of millet crops, especially using modern extraction and analytical methodologies, is a consequence of the growing demand for millet-based functional meals. The yields obtained with modern solvent extraction techniques like UAE, MAE, EAE, and green solvents such as DES are significantly higher compared to conventional maceration and Soxhlet extraction.
Nutritional Composition and Health Benefits of Little Millet (Panicum Sumatrense)
Little millet is one of the nutrient-dense and climate-resilient cereals in the Poaceae family. Due to its balanced macronutrient profile, essential amino acids, minerals, and bioactive phytochemicals, it is considered an ideal functional food and nutraceutical cereal [1]. Compared to major cereals like rice and wheat, little millet contains a higher amount of dietary fiber (7–9%), protein (7–9%), and minerals (2–3%). It is also rich in antioxidant compounds, especially phenolic acids and flavonoids concentrated mainly in the bran and pericarp layers [21].
Table no.4.1: Mineral Content of Little Millet (mg/100 g dry grain)
|
Mineral |
Range |
|
Calcium |
14–22 |
|
Iron |
6.5–9.3 |
|
Phosphorus |
280–320 |
|
Magnesium |
110–138 |
|
Potassium |
250–300 |
|
Zinc |
2.1–2.6 |
Phenolic and Flavonoid Content
This suggests that phenolics and flavonoids are mainly responsible for the antioxidant properties, thus justifying their role in biological defense against oxidative damage. The antioxidant effects of Panicum sumatrense are mediated through multiple mechanisms:
Flavonoids (quercetin, luteolin) and phenolic acids (ferulic, caffeic) scavenge reactive species like superoxide (O?•−), hydroxyl (•OH), and peroxyl radicals by H-atom transfer (HAT) or single electron transfer (SET) mechanisms [22].
The chelation of Fe²? and Cu²? ions by phenolic hydroxyl groups prevents Fenton reactions, which in turn reduces the formation of hydroxyl radicals [23].
Bound phenolics in the millet bran stabilize membrane lipids and inhibit malondialdehyde formation, thus protecting cellular integrity [24]. Regulation of Antioxidant Enzymes:
Supplementation with little millet has been shown by in vivo studies to increase the activity of SOD, CAT, and GPx in liver and pancreas tissues of diabetic rats. Nrf2 Pathway Activation: Polyphenols in little millet activate Nrf2, which results in the upregulation of HO-1, NQO1, and GSH synthesis, leading to an improved redox defense [26].
Macroscopic Study of Little Millet (Panicum Sumatrense)
Distinguishing Panicum sumatrense in its natural grain form is mainly based on key diagnostic features through macroscopic evaluation. This will involve seeds and the whole plant's physical description, morphological features, and sensory properties. An increased macroscopic profile improves the accuracy of authentication, standardizing it for application in food, medicine, or nutraceutical purposes, and distinguishing little millet from closely related small millets [27].
Little millet (Panicum sumatrense) has a distinctive set of macroscopic features that help identify and distinguish it from other small millets. The plant possesses a highly branched fibrous root system, penetrating 20-45 cm into the soil, thereby enhancing absorption of moisture and imparting drought tolerance, erosion resistance, and overall stability to the soil [28]. Its culm is erect, slender, smooth, and cylindrical, usually measuring between 30-100 cm in height, with color changing from pale green to straw-yellow with advancing maturity. The leaves are narrow, linear-lanceolate, and 10–30 cm long and 0.5–1.5 cm wide. The epidermis contains silica bodies, which contribute to the leaves' overall rough texture and finely serrated margins. The leaf sheath loosely clasps the stem, with a short, membranous white ligule located at the junction [29]. Inflorescence: Compact to semi-open panicle, 5–15 cm in length, comprising short, appressed branches bearing numerous spikelets. The color of the panicle changes from green to yellowish-green and finally golden as it matures [30].
Table No. 5.1: Taxonomic Classification
|
Rank |
Classification |
|
Kingdom |
Plantae |
|
Division |
Magnoliophyta |
|
Class |
Liliopsida |
|
Order |
Poales |
|
Family |
Poaceae |
|
Genus |
Panicum |
|
Species |
Panicum sumatrense Roth ex Roem. & Schult. |
Maitreyee Pachpor*, Bhavna Shinde, Gaurav Khupse, Sakshi Boralkar, Dipali Doifode, Comprehensive Review on Pharmacognostic And Phytochemical Evaluation of Panicum Sumatrense, Int. J. Sci. R. Tech., 2026, 3 (3), 327-338. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19029764
10.5281/zenodo.19029764
