Year: 2024 | Month: May | Volume: 14 | Issue: 5 | Pages: 181-187
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20240521
Browntop Millet (Brachiaria ramosa): An Overview of the Underutilized Miraculous Multifunctional Millet
Shubhangi Srivastav1, Dr. Ekta Singh Chauhan2
1Research Scholar, 2Associate Professor;
Department of Home Science (Food Science and Nutrition), Banasthali Vidyapith, Rajasthan, India.
Corresponding Author: Shubhangi Srivastav
ABSTRACT
Millets are the crops that flourish magnificently even with minimum input requirements and adverse climatic conditions. These gluten-free ingredients stand out from other ingredients in terms of high nutritive value and low price point. The consumption of millets not only provides superior nutrients but also embarks an important role in agricultural stability. Browntop millet (BTM) is a characteristic member of the Poaceace (millet) family which possesses nutritional properties like high protein, iron, phosphorus and fibre content. The nutrient load of this small millet could be positively increased by applying processing methods like soaking, germination, extrudation and sundrying which therefore gives a tough competition to its family members in terms of nutritional and phenolic load. This is a comprehensive review which aims to provide information about ethnobotanical characteristics, nutritional profile, pharmacological benefits and culinary importance of Brown top millet. The health promoting benefits such as anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, anti-diabetic, anti-oxidative, detoxification and anti-ulcerogenic helps to qualify browntop millet as an efficacious functional food. It may prove as a great alternative to wheat for people with gluten sensitivity and those suffering from obesity issues.
Key words: Gluten-free, Agricultural stability, Soaking, Nutritional profile, Culinary, Functional food.