An assessment of the antioxidant potential and nutritional makeup of native landraces of foxtail millet (Setaria italica) from Shamator District, Nagaland
Foxtail millet (Setaria italica) is an important crop species with vast genetic resources highly valued for its nutritional profile and adaptability to harsh environments. This study investigated the nutritional composition and antioxidant properties of indigenous foxtail millet genotypes grown in the Shamator district of Nagaland. Proximate analysis, including carbohydrates, proteins, ashes, moisture, crude fibre and bioactive compounds such as total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoids content (TFC) were screened on eight different genotypes. Antioxidant potential was also determined through DPPH and FRAP assays. In the eight-millets recorded good stability and low variability among the genotypes in ash content (1.12%-1.60%; CV 11.19%) and carbohydrates (36.7%-39.7%; CV 2.51%). However, high variability was observed among the genotypes in relation to their protein content (53%-80%; CV 13.0%). Significant variation was observed between the genotypes for crude fibre (0.28%-0.72%) and moisture content (7.8%-15.8%, CV 19.82%). TPC exhibited significant variability (CV ~28.8%), indicating variations in phenolic accumulation. Whereas TFC (CV ~35.43%), showed genotypic heterogeneity in secondary metabolites. Among the landraces, LS consistently exhibit the utmost levels of phenolics and flavonoids. Antioxidant profiles revealed that LS has the highest radical scavenging activity with the lowest IC50 value and highest FRAP, followed by TS and WS, while AST exhibit the lowest antioxidant capacity. Overall, this study conveyed considerable variability in nutritional and antioxidant profiles in indigenous cultivars of foxtail millets in Shamator district of Nagaland. Genotype of LS, TS and WS demonstrates the promising functional food production and parental lines enhancing millet quality and health promoting traits.