Millet grain phenolics and their role in disease risk reduction and health promotion: A review

Millets rank six in the world cereal grain production. In Africa and Asia, these underutilized grains play a major role in the food security of millions of people. In addition to being a rich source of nutrients, millet grains have an abundance of phytochemicals, particularly phenolic compounds. Thi...

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Main Authors: Fereidoon Shahidi, Anoma Chandrasekara
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2013-04-01
Series:Journal of Functional Foods
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464613000625
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author Fereidoon Shahidi
Anoma Chandrasekara
author_facet Fereidoon Shahidi
Anoma Chandrasekara
author_sort Fereidoon Shahidi
collection DOAJ
description Millets rank six in the world cereal grain production. In Africa and Asia, these underutilized grains play a major role in the food security of millions of people. In addition to being a rich source of nutrients, millet grains have an abundance of phytochemicals, particularly phenolic compounds. This review will focus on the bioactivities and health benefits of millet phenolics as revealed by in vitro and in vivo studies. Phenolic compounds in millets are found in the soluble as well as insoluble-bound forms. Both hydroxybenzoic and hydroxycinnamic acids and their derivatives are notably present in different types of millet grains in varying proportion. Meanwhile, flavonoids exist mainly in the free form. A wide variation exists in the phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of millet grains. Further, millet grain phenolics, are bioaccessible, possess bioactivities against several pathophysiological conditions and may serve as potential natural sources of antioxidants in food and biological systems. While this review also shows the existence of a substantial body of evidence for in vitro antioxidant activity of millet grain phenolics, there is a clear gap for in vivo information. However, the use of millets, as nutraceuticals and specialty foods in disease risk reduction and overall health and wellness is warranted.
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spelling doaj.art-7e11ea93e5ce42639dc4a67b2d7cb42f2022-12-21T23:07:35ZengElsevierJournal of Functional Foods1756-46462013-04-0152570581Millet grain phenolics and their role in disease risk reduction and health promotion: A reviewFereidoon Shahidi0Anoma Chandrasekara1Department of Biochemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL, Canada A1B 3X9; Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 709 864 8552; fax: +1 709 864 4000.Department of Applied Nutrition, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, Makandura, Gonawila 60170, Sri LankaMillets rank six in the world cereal grain production. In Africa and Asia, these underutilized grains play a major role in the food security of millions of people. In addition to being a rich source of nutrients, millet grains have an abundance of phytochemicals, particularly phenolic compounds. This review will focus on the bioactivities and health benefits of millet phenolics as revealed by in vitro and in vivo studies. Phenolic compounds in millets are found in the soluble as well as insoluble-bound forms. Both hydroxybenzoic and hydroxycinnamic acids and their derivatives are notably present in different types of millet grains in varying proportion. Meanwhile, flavonoids exist mainly in the free form. A wide variation exists in the phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of millet grains. Further, millet grain phenolics, are bioaccessible, possess bioactivities against several pathophysiological conditions and may serve as potential natural sources of antioxidants in food and biological systems. While this review also shows the existence of a substantial body of evidence for in vitro antioxidant activity of millet grain phenolics, there is a clear gap for in vivo information. However, the use of millets, as nutraceuticals and specialty foods in disease risk reduction and overall health and wellness is warranted.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464613000625BioactivitiesFlavonoidsFinger milletFoxtailKodoLittle millet
spellingShingle Fereidoon Shahidi
Anoma Chandrasekara
Millet grain phenolics and their role in disease risk reduction and health promotion: A review
Journal of Functional Foods
Bioactivities
Flavonoids
Finger millet
Foxtail
Kodo
Little millet
title Millet grain phenolics and their role in disease risk reduction and health promotion: A review
title_full Millet grain phenolics and their role in disease risk reduction and health promotion: A review
title_fullStr Millet grain phenolics and their role in disease risk reduction and health promotion: A review
title_full_unstemmed Millet grain phenolics and their role in disease risk reduction and health promotion: A review
title_short Millet grain phenolics and their role in disease risk reduction and health promotion: A review
title_sort millet grain phenolics and their role in disease risk reduction and health promotion a review
topic Bioactivities
Flavonoids
Finger millet
Foxtail
Kodo
Little millet
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464613000625
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