Comparison of the Main Constituents in Two Varieties of Proso Millet Using GC-MS

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Nutritional Science
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum) is underutilized in human nutrition.
• Millet grains are suitable for celiac disease patients and cardiovascular disease prevention.
• Understanding the biochemical composition of all millet plant parts is crucial for maximizing its nutritional value.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively screen and identify various chemical substances in all plant parts of proso millet.
• To analyze the distribution and levels of different compound groups (saccharides, amino acids, fatty acids, etc.) across roots, leaves, stems, and seeds.
• To compare the chemical profiles of two proso millet varieties (Hanacká Mana and Unicum).

Main Methods:

• Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) was employed for substance screening.
• Analysis was conducted on roots, leaves, stems, and seeds of two proso millet varieties.
• Quantification of identified compounds, including saccharides, amino acids, fatty acids, carboxylic acids, and phytosterols.

Main Results:

• Saccharides were the dominant group in all plant parts, with stems showing the highest concentration (83%).
• Fatty acids were the second most abundant group, particularly high in seeds (24.6%).
• Key compounds identified include sucrose, fructose, psicose, various fatty acids, phytosterols (campesterol, stigmasterol, β-sitosterol), retinal, squalene, and tocopherols, with varietal differences noted.

Conclusions:

• Proso millet possesses a rich and diverse array of valuable chemical compounds throughout its entire plant structure.
• The identified compounds, particularly saccharides and fatty acids, underscore the significant nutritional and potential health benefits of proso millet.
• Further research into varietal differences could optimize the utilization of specific compounds from proso millet.