Functional Properties and Proximate Composition of Elite Finger Millet [Eleusine coracana) Genotypes

Finger millet (Eleusine coracana) is an important minor cereal cultivated for food in the Indian sub continent as well as in many African countries. The nutritive value of finger millet is higher than that of rice and equal to that of wheat. The average fiber content of 3.6 per cent unlike 0.2 per cent in rice or 1.2 per cent in bajra helps in maintenance of health in many ways. Carbohydrate content (72.0%) of finger millet is slightly higher than that of bajra or maize and less than rice (78.2%). It is also low in fat (1.3%) and contains 7.39 per cent of protein. Finger millet is rich in calcium (300-340 mg/100g), iron (5-15 g/100g), vitamin B₁₂ (0.4 to 3 mg/100g) and seven essentia! amino acids. Besides this, iodine content (101 μg/kg) is reported to be highest among food grains.