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Profile of three pearl millet varieties found in the Lower Shire Valley of Malawi Margaret Maoni, Victoria Ndolo * University of Malawi, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Department of Human Ecology and Agricultural Sciences * E-mail: mmaoni@unima.ac.mw Pearl millet ( Pennisetum glaucum ) is one of the underutilised cereals with untapped potential and is rich in protein, dietary fibre, and micronutrients. Like other cereals, millet’s chemical composition depends on factors such as variety. The study aimed to compare the nutritional composition in whole and two botanical parts of three pearl millet varieties. Official standard methods of analysis were used to determine proximate, fibre and mineral composition. The results showed that moisture, ash, fat, fibre and crude protein in the different components ranged from 9.19 to 17.85 %, 0.98 to 2.98 %, 1.11 to 7.62 %, 3.57 to 9.29 %, and 5.82 to 9.62 % respectively. The minerals Zn, Fe, Mg and Ca ranged from 6.87 to 28.05, 13.65 to 38.19, 6.30 to 79.13 and 63.13 to 92.63mg/100g respectively. Ash content was the highest in bran flour of all three varieties. Fat content varied insignificantly among the varieties and components of whole, bran and endosperm flour. Fibre content was highest in endosperm flour. Crude protein was higher in whole flour. Potassium was high and zinc was the lowest in all varieties. In conclusion, varying concentrations of nutrients in different parts of the cereal were not significantly different among the varieties. Thus, all three varieties have the potential to contribute nutrients to meet recommended dietary allowances for the population. Key words: Pearl millet, underutilised, cereal, varieties, nutrition References 1. Ahmed, K., Shoaib, M., Akhtar, M.N. and Iqbal, Z. (2014), “Chemical analysis of different cereals to access nutritional components vital for human health”, International Journal of Chemical and Biochemical Sciences, Vol.6, pp.61-67 2. Sarwar, M.H., Sarwar, M.F., Sarwar, M., Qadri, N.A., Moghal, S. (2013). The importance of cereals (Poaceae: Gramineae) nutrition in human health: A review, Journal of Cereals and oil seeds, Vol4(3), pp 32-35
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