Comparative Mineral Composition study of Indian Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana L.) and Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) Cultivars

Evaluates and comparison of ten cultivars each of Indian finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.) and pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) mineral composition were performed in this study. Aqueous extracts were analyzed for essential macro and micro minerals including iron (Fe), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), potassium (K), manganese (Mn), sodium (Na), and phosphorus (P). Results revealed that finger millet cultivars exhibited higher calcium and potassium content, while pearl millet cultivars were superior in iron, zinc, and magnesium. Among finger millet, RAU-8 contained the highest Fe (5.02 mg/100 g) and Ca (418.66 mg/100 g), whereas in pearl millet, Pioneer 86M86 recorded the highest Fe (8.86 mg/100 g), Ca (47.21 mg/100 g), and Mg (140.75 mg/100 g). The study emphasizes the potential of millet grains as a rich source of nutritionally significant minerals and supports their inclusion in functional food formulations to combat mineral deficiencies.