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RAGI, A BOON TO NUTRITIONAL SECURITY

Article · May 2014

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Ramwant Kumar Gupta

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 (34) and pearl millet (43). Though low in fat content, it is high in
RAGI, A BOON TO PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acids). In addition, black finger millet
NUTRITIONAL SECURITY contains 8.71 mg/g dry weight fatty acid and 8.47 g/g dry weight
Dr. Ramwant Gupta protein.The lower fat contents could be one of the contributing
Post Doctoral Fellow, Division of Seed Science and Dr. Ramwant Gupta
factors for the extremely good shelf life of finger millet.
Technology, Indian Agriculture Research Institute
Pusa Campus, New Delhi-110012 • E-mail: ramwantgupta@yahoo.com Table 1: Nutrient composition of finger millet (100 g dry wt; 12%
moisture)
Finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.), S.N. Components
commonly known as Ragi is native to
1 Protein (g) 7.7
Ethiopian region of Africa. Some
reports, however, indicate that the 2 Fats (g) 1.5
secondary Centre of origin of this 3 Carbohydrates (g) 72.6
species is India or China. It was 4 Ash (g) 2.6
introduced in India during Second 5 Fiber (g) 3.6
Millennium BC through sea trading 6 Energy (K cal) 336
from Africa and then spread all over the country owing to its wide 7 Ca (mg) 350
adaptable capacity. Extremely tolerance to prolonged period of
8 Fe (mg) 3.9
drought and moisture scarcity increases their importance in food
security. It belongs to orphan crop group, widely cultivated in the 9 Thiamin (mg) 0.42
past for their high energy value, and is currently cultivated in 10 Niacin (mg) 0.19
limited geographical regions. Millets are water saving, drought 11 Riboflavin (mg) 1.1
tolerant crops. Attributed to its C4 nature, they are resilient. Sources: Hulse and others (1980); United States National Research
Council/National Academy of Sciences (1982); USDA/HNIS (1995); FAO
F i n g e r m i l l e t i s n o r m a l l y (2012).
consumed in the form of flour-
based foods such as roti Based on the results of many studies carried out, it is observed that
(unleavened pancake), mudde ragi grains is reported to have anti-ulcerative properties. The seed
(stiff porridge/dumpling) and coat matter which is a rich source of dietary fiber and phenolic
ambli (thin porridge) and each of compounds were found to exhibit blood glucose and cholesterol
these foods have their lowering, nephron-protective and anti-cataractogenic properties.
characteristics features. With the Finger millet extracts are also reported to possess free radical
changes in scenario of utilization scavenging, anti-protein glycation, anti-cataractogenic and
pattern of processed products and awareness of the consumers antimicrobial properties. Inhibition of snake venom
about the health benefits, finger millet has gained importance phospholipases by finger millet phenolic also reported elsewhere.
because of its functional components, such as slowly digestible Thus finger millet is one of the best supplements for Nutraceutical
starch and resistant starch. assurance in changing climate. This quality makes them India's food
and farming future balancing food security with nutritional
The nutritional security. This is the perspective from which the ragi cultivation and
composition of finger its promotion must be regarded. The urgent and immediate need is
millet is listed in Table 1, an to integrate millets with the Public Distribution System, whilst the
extraordinary source of research institutions continue to improve the quality and yield of
calcium (350 mg). It is millets per se.
known to have several
potential health benefits
and some of the health BEST PAPER AWARD 2014
benefits are attributed to its The Academy thank all the contributors to the
polyphenol contents. It has `INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL
a carbohydrate content of SCIENCES' and `INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL ON
72.6%, protein 7.7%, crude ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES' that has been acclaimed for
fiber 3.6%, and mineral 2.7% that is comparable to other cereals and fetching the NAAS-Journal Rating. Eventually, the Academy is
millets. Its crude fiber and mineral contents are markedly higher striving to improve the quality of articles to get more
than those of wheat (1.2% fiber, 1.5% minerals) and rice (0.2% fiber, international and national citations to aim at international
0.6% minerals); its protein is relatively better balanced; it contains impact factor such as that of Thomson and Reuters. With this
more lysine, threonine and goal, and to enthuse the author/contributor, it has been decided
valine than other millets. to select one best paper from each of the journal from out of the
The chemical score issues published this year onwards. The authors are therefore
(percentage of the most encouraged to submit papers in these two journals, taking the
limiting amino acid chance of bagging the award. The awardees shall receive a
compared to a standard certificate to this effect.
protein like egg protein) of
Best wishes,
finger millet is about 50
which is relatively better A. Arunachalam
than other millets, Jowar General Secretary, NESA

3 NESA Newsletter May 2014

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