Abstract:
Finger millet (Eleusine coracana) is commonly cultivated and consumed in
Sri Lanka since ancient times. Considering the scarcity of scientific
information on Sri Lankan finger millet varieties (FMV), including their
nutritional composition, this study was undertaken to quantify the proximate
and mineral compositions of locally grown FMV, namely Ravi, Rawana and
Oshada. Samples were collected from Field Crop Research and
Development Center, Mahailluppallama. Moisture, ash, protein, fat, crude
fiber and mineral (Ca, Mg, Na, K, P, Fe and Zn) contents were determined
according to AOAC (2012) methods. Significant differences (p<0.05) in ash
percentages were observed, ranging from 2.95 ± 0.04 to 3.22 ± 0.06.
Protein, fat, crude fiber and total carbohydrate percentages ranged from
8.13 ± 0.13 to 8.74 ± 0.71, 1.40 ± 0.06 to 1.42 ± 0.07, 3.77 ± 0.19 to 3.84 ±
0.03 and 86.92 ± 0.78 to 87.24 ± 0.22 respectively, with no significant
differences (p>0.05). Significant differences (p<0.05) were observed for Na,
Mg, Fe, Zn and P contents which ranged from 10.26 ± 0.11 to 13.44 ± 0.01,
124.23 ± 2.46 to 161.34 ± 0.37, 3.29 ± 0.04 to 3.85 ± 0.06, 1.79 ± 0.02 to
1.96 ± 0.01 and 315.15 ± 4.17 to 336.79 ± 0.63 mg/100 g respectively,
except for K and Ca which ranged from 404.31 ± 7.45 to 412.66 ± 5.75 and
340.32 ± 4.92 to 353.47 ± 1.44 mg/100 g respectively. These findings
indicated that Sri Lankan FMV are good sources of protein, minerals and
crude fiber when compared with rice.
